Directories

In contrast to spider search engines, directories are not automatically generated but are compiled by editors. A website that is submitted to a directory is subsequently catalogued and linked to one ore more topics. As the directories are set up by experienced editors, they generally produce more targeted results. The best known and most important Internet directory is Yahoo (http://www.yahoo.de).

In directories, the result list is thus influenced by human judgment. To be included in such a search facility, you must submit a short description of your page. Alternatively, your site might be reviewed by a directory editor. When a search term is entered, only this description is searched for matches. Therefore, modifications to your page do not affect the result listing. Criteria that are very useful to improve the ranking of your site with a spider search engine have thus no effect on your position in the result of a directory query. Directories generally only register websites that fulfill a certain quality standard. Well designed websites (with equally good content) have therefore a better chance of being accepted than poorly designed publications.