Even though most people don’t understand how search-engines like Google actually work (mainly because they keep their mathematical algorithm a closely-guarded secret), people DO know that if they type something into the search-engine’s search-box, they will get a list of somewhat relevant websites to their search.
However, the key word there is “somewhat”! Why? Well, if you’ve ever used a search-engine like Yahoo or Ask.com, then you already know that most of the results that are returned from a search are less than perfect. It’s also the reason that there are still several search-engine companies and not just one. If any ONE search-engine becomes so perfect that all of the results is ever returns are EXACTLY what EVERYBODY ever searches for, then there will be no need for any other search-engine companies.
You see, most of the information found on websites is found as what’s termed organic results. Yes, there are plenty of website links that are sponsored (other companies are paying to be shown on certain results pages; in Google, these are on the top and down the right-hand side and they are clearly marked as ‘Sponsored Links’), but by far the most results returned for any search are organic.
“Organic results” simply means that the results returned aren’t being paid for.
The search engines find these websites, which could be weblogs, company promotion sites, article sites or pretty much anything else, using their own peculiar guidelines. Each has their own way of categorizing and ranking each site and they put these guidelines into their software algorithm (a string of instructions) that they then use to crawl the World Wide Web. A more detailed explanation of how Google gathers its information can be found by typing “pigeon rank” into Google itself (you’ll enjoy this immensely!).
So with search-engines you get results that are not only less than perfect, but you often get results that are totally unrelated to what you’re looking for. This might be because of the way you typed in your search-term (otherwise known as your keyword) or it may be because you simply misspelled something. It might also be because the search-engine you’re using isn’t very good.
To prove this, use your favorite search-engine. Type in a search-term and then go to about page 5 of the search-results. You’ll see plenty of websites here that have little or no bearing on your search-term. The words you typed will be there, but most of the sites from about page 5 onwards have no relevance to what you searched for.
Directories differ from search-engines in that they are edited by humans, rather than a computer program called a crawler. Directories are much more like a traditional directory like Yellow Pages or any other phone book.
There are literally hundreds of directories now and more are being created every year. One of the most popular ones is the Open Directory, otherwise known as DMOZ.
So why are there so many? Well, like the phone-book, people are creating directories for different niche areas. After all, you wouldn’t try using a Detroit phone book for San Diego would you and directories are very much like this, but instead of being directories for geographical areas, they are directories containing websites that are similar or related in some way.
The benefit of using directories instead of search-engines is clear; if you find a directory that is related to your search, then every website in that directory might be relevant to your search. The disadvantage is less clear. With TOO MANY relevant websites to look at, you may easily become overwhelmed with choices.
With the disciplined use of directories AND search-engines, there’s almost nothing that you can’t find on the web.
On the other side of the coin, getting YOUR website into these directories is critical. The more directories that your website appears in, the more links there will be to your site and the higher rankings you will enjoy in each of the search-engines. You’ll also enjoy an increasing number of visitors to your website who have found you in the directories.
Luke Hawthorne has been writing for over 13 years. His interests include making money, flying airplanes, skiing, scuba-diving and paragliding.
www.lukehawthorne.com/recommends/directorysubmitter/
You may publish this article anywhere you choose so long as you include all the information in this resource box.
Please Rate this Article
Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Site Promotion Articles Via RSS!
