Tell it how it is...

I'm all confused with this Yahoo Directory thing. All I (think I) understand is:

1: Listed sites get no visits through their listing.

2: Listed sites get their descriptions changed by somebody who may not know the subject.

3: Listed sites get no PR handed to them.

4: People pay $299 dollars for all this?

I'm obviously missing something here.

Help me out, explain the benefits. What do I get for my $299?

MCS
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Well, I submitted a few of my sites in Yahoo! Canada @ http://ca.dir.yahoo.com/ and what I really liked about it was a direct link to my site - No redirect URL. So I think #3 isnt true here.

Moreover, your description is NOT always changed if you already wrote it to describe your site, not admire it. What's more, I do get traffic from them - no matter 0.0001%.

Sites listed in yahoo dir mostly perform well for important keywords in yahoo serps.

On a note of Yahoo listing: "YES" specifically for jewelry and other products/services with a fair profit margin.

Additionally, Yahoo results are bias to "sites with a listing" so a bit of help here plus...

It's a link that also helps a wee little bit in Google, thus Netscape, AOL, and MSN... others.

You also get prominent listing in "what's new" and sites tend to get a fair number of clicks early on - then after a week or so you lose this.

Please note: if you are selling "ringtones" with a profit margin of $1.00 per item sold return on the advert "only" is limited.

In some areas though - a single sale in the year likely pays for the link, the second (and beyond) is pure profit (based on the advert expense).

Also note: most often a US company will also receive a link in Yahoo.Ca, dot.UK and possibly others meaning each additional link reduces the cost. Noting you will likely receive a link in "all english" archives due to product diversity and international appeal.

Lastly - Yahoo can be very tarty in removing links - and most often "years go by" before removal simply because of their volume "to list" and limited dedication to removal.

It is best to consider advertising based on your specific "unique selling propositions" (USP).

Well, I asked you to tell it how it is - but I didn't get a lot of response. The replies so far don't help.

I still don't see the value which could be added to my $299...

I don't have a site in the yahoo directory, and I don't have a site which isn't on the first page of Yahoo.

oh, I do have a site which isn't on the first page of Yahoo (sorry) in fact I have a couple, but they're not yet developed.

Can anybody else tell it how it is? (but this time, something useful please).


MCS
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I think that Fathom's post is very useful. His advice is quite accurate. The Yahoo! directory does provide link pop value, it's an authoritative site, it provides some traffic initially and gives you a boost in getting spidered and ranked at the Yahoo! search engine.

I don't like how they change your description and title, but $299 is not much to pay for a link of that value if you're in a competitive industry.

...as long as they "forget" to send you the bill for the years following - maybe