Advice for current SERP

I have one of my keywords on the first page (10th Position) and other one on the third page (23rd Position).

I am continuously doing directory submission for both of the keywords. I am doing about 50 directories for both keywords. Do you think guys that directory submission will be useful for the improvements in current SERP.

Hard to say without knowing the keywords you're after. If it's worth any money at all, my guess would be "no".

Directory submissions are nearly useless, especially if you have already done 50 (which are most probably 50 low quality directories).

If you have 1 of the keywords on position 10, I suggest you focus more effort on this keyword. NOT with directory submissions however.

This is a great example of why I am such a jerk about people recommending "get more links". This poor soul read that somewhere and spent the next month of his life doing exactly that. sorry, you wasted your time.

Minute_minder, understand that 99.99% of all directories out there will give you nothing for your SEO. You need to figure out the best way to acquire links from relevant sites that appear to be naturally gained. It's not easy, but spend the next month of your life researching what makes a link a quality link. Ask specific questions when you have them and you'll get there eventually.

As said above: directories are [generally] of very, very low SEO value.

Two points however:
1. IF directory submissions are 'working' for one of your keywords, I would suggest that the keyword is so 'non-competitive' that even something like your 'title tag' could be the reason for your success.

If your #10 keyword is there (or near the beginning) and your #23 is not there or near the end, something like that could be more making the difference.

Again, this assumption is based on '50 directories being powerful enough to rank the keyword' - especially if the terms are of similar competition and you are doing the same stuff for both.


2. If it is article directories as opposed to directory listings, and both keywords are on the same page (of the directory) and going to the same page (of your site) - then ONLY the first anchor text 'counts'.

There are many other possible scenarios of course.

I would like to appreciate you guys for your expert opinions

So you guys think that I am wasting my time doing directory submission.

What is a quality inbound link?

For me Quality Inbound Link = Do Follow + Relevant + High PR

Directory gives you Do follow Links, from the relevant web pages and it is the possibility that you can have your inbound link placed on High PR web page also.

What do you think now that Directory Submission with the above mentioned Characteristics can be useful or not?

Here are a few 'ideals':

Do Follow
Some directories are, some are not
Relevant PAGE content
Most directories have no other content than links + 20 word descriptions
High PR page
If a directory has a high PR on the homepage, it does not mean that the page will have any (but a few will)
Editorial Link (as opposed to footer or within a list etc.)
No content = no editorial link possibilities
Relevant LINKS GOING TO THAT PAGE (and to the pages that link to the links etc. ie real authority websites in the niche)
Generally unlikely with 'spammy' directories
Few/no other links going out from the page
Generally, by default, a directory will have many outgoing links. If it hasn't there is not likely to be much point in someone linking in to it
If other links, then only 'good' links (linking to spammy sites can reduce the trust that the page has with which it links to you)
Often, directories will have little or no filtering of links, therefore could reduce trust
High number of relevant, High PR links going to the page that your link is on
Pretty much never

If this is what you used to get to #10 then might as well carry on and see if you can get higher.

In my experience the standard directories still work, especially for non-competitive markets. Same applies to main article directories.

What's worth checking - if you could get in any of main paid directories with your site. A link like that could give you a great boost.

I would definitely want to do 50-100 directories submission and rank #1 for "web design", however that is impossible.

What I am trying to say it's that it depends on the keyword/phrase you're promoting, but from #10 above only with directories? I doubt that.

much later edit: maybe seochat forums is a lucky one, just spoke about that keyword and went from 4 to 3, magic mates!

I have two keywords

"Best Electronic Cigarettes"
"Buy Electronic Cigarettes"

Best Electronic Cigarettes is on the 10 position right at the moment and Buy Electronic Cigarettes is on 24th position right at the moment.

The only reason for selecting directory submission is that you can have do follow links and most of the directory submission allows you to have the do follow links.

What you guys suggest me to do right at the moment for my said keywords?

Create a great infographic illustrating the health, monetary and social advantages of electronic cigarettes as opposed to the other cigarettes. Work to make it viral and wait the links to start flowing. The rest will be easier.

I saw there are some organisations and association related to this cigarettes, maybe you could offer them something in exchange for links..?

I can't understand it at all what you have said. Would you like to explain it a bit in simple words?

Create a graph which shows the advantages of using electronic cigarettes instead of real cigarettes.

Basically, create great content which is worthy of links.

These are fairly competitive keywords (SIC), esp. now a days. Just a random thought, what about creating some forum, or participate in other websites that ban smoking and use your site/product as a healthy..(ier) alternative?

You got a lot of room to be creative with this niche, I'd def. exploit it all ways possible.