Scores of web masters do not recognize the importance of directories; some even inquire whether directories are successful and complement in their overall marketing venture for their website. Loads of online businesses can boost the web traffic, prospects and rankings on major search engines by just presenting website links to popular directories like “Big Web Links”. But the subject to be questioned is what makes such internet links so popular and what is so significant about them?

All that is already present out there is pretty overwhelming in itself and it bores to learn about anything else after our contemporary lifestyles. As a result of this article directories can prove to be a wealth of knowledge and you can find whatever you want fairly quickly and effortlessly and may head you in realizing your research goals within no time. Article directories are exploding up almost everywhere. Trying hitting up on any search engine in your research and you will be presented with a plethora of different information contained article directories. You will notice that almost all article directories will be subject sensitive and prearranged according to the subject material to make it even more user friendly. Therefore article directory is the most efficient way to trace information in short span of time.

There is something for everyone in article directories. From people trying to just get an insight on any particular topic to those masses doing some more in depth research into any topic can benefit from such article directories. It becomes really cumbersome to get into each and every web page on the search engine and flip through thousands of pages to get the required information. And the best part is you not only get the desired information on article directories but you can also look at the websites related to the subject. And the links are not only restricted to the websites but also offer links to pertaining blogs, forums and other information rich resources.

All things are not created equal. This goes for everything from what you had for lunch today to internet directories. Some directories are good for a few links and a bit of occasional traffic, but others are a relative powerhouse. The best directories on the internet can lend a powerful punch to a website, especially in light of search engine optimization and generated traffic.

Directories of Directories
In fact, in recent years directories have become so popular and useful that they are now being organized into their own directories and lists. A directory of directories lists everything from the heavyweights to the up and coming. All directories have merit if used the right way, but many internet professionals see a greater value in the big names - and with good reason.

Search engines recognize directory listings as slightly less valuable as direct links back imbedded through keyword in website content. But, not all directory links are weighted the same. Some directories, such as DMOZ.com have additional value than directories that are not recognized industry wide. In short, DMOZ is better. The same can be said for many others.

Get Listed!
To become listed in the best directories, there is often a price to pay. Sometimes there is a literal dollar figure attached to a listing, and other times there are long waits and many approval processes. These directories have a great reputation for a reason. To allow unscreened and unverified websites through would be severely detrimental to the overall credentials of the site, thus the care.

However, jumping through a few proverbial hoops and shelling out a few extra dollars is well worth it to many webmasters. Listing a website through one of two of the top directories is worth more in SEO value than being listed in twenty small directories. (Although the small directories never hurt.)

The Best Directories
At the moment, the top directories for submissions include the following:

• www.dmoz.org
• dir.yahoo.com
• www.lii.org
• www.stpt.com/directory/
• www.business.com
• www.alivedirectory.com
• www.avivadirectory.com
• www.elegantdirectory.com

and more.

You would do exceedingly well to submit your website to one or all of these as budget and resources allow. An added bonus of submitting to such well-known directories is that by meeting the criteria for these directories, your website will be fine-tuned to meet almost any standards. Designing for the top results often yields just that – top results.

A web directory or an internet directory is like a powerhouse packed with sites that are organised according to user-specific needs that save time, energy and cost. They are an immensely useful tool for webmasters who are looking for a way to promote their sites, increase inbound traffic with SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) and gain a higher Page Rank on Google. If you are a webmaster imagine having to surf and go through innumerable link exchanges and instead just adding your link to a popular web directory and getting more traffic on your site by targeting people looking for a specific service.

Though not all directories are significant, the most popular directories include The Open Directory Project (ODP or DMOZ), Yahoo, Zeal and Buzzle. Google, along with many other popular search engines tend to generate their search results by dipping into these directories for reference. If you were to run a Google search, you’d notice the number of results that directly use the ODP links and categories. A plus point is that the information stored in ODP is literally borrowed by thousands of other websites and search engines so that just sets up a chain reaction for obtaining more free links! The same goes for the Yahoo directory.

Directories fall into two main categories, namely: general and niche. A general web directory is a directory that contains a listing of many sites of different categories and then sub-categories. A niche directory would be a directory that aims towards a specific grouping like a shopping directory is a directory for all listings for Primitive Arts and Crafts, Consumer Products. This helps in searching harder-to-find content that generally doesn’t show in a prominent position on a major search engine. Then there are free directories that do not charge any fees for inclusion, paid directories that charge a fee for site submission and reciprocal link directories that have a link back to the directory as a prerequisite. Sometimes free directories may offer a prominent link or a higher listing for a nominal fee. The ODP is an example of a human-edited directory which is created and maintained by human editors who are volunteers and may have excellent command over a certain subject. Human edited web directories are known for more relevant links as they are edited and maintained manually and the sites scanned and approved for content.

There are also directories like Yahoo that archive lists of certain sites they choose as a “cool site”. This cool site directory could be in the form of an archived list, a random site generator that generates a site-per-click irrespective of category or the current cool pick. Some of these sites maintain an archive of their older cool picks for visitors to browse through the formerly chosen sites, others have themed sections and still others could probably generate a list of the Top Ten cool sites classifying them on good site principles. The knowledgeable networking system and general-to-sub hierarchy also cross-references links across categories with similar content to make searching with generic keywords more efficient.

Directories are an easy way to find something for everyone. As a surfer with a specific necessity or a webmaster wanting to promote their site, a directory could serve as a handy contrivance to obtain optimum results.