Since the quality of web directories tends to shift a bit over time, this list will be constantly updated. In addition with the below-mentioned web directories, it is also a good idea to visit Directory Critic and find other smaller (but quality!) “niche” directories to list your site in – both relevant to your site’s subject matter, and also relevant to the region which it services (i.e. Los Angeles). There is no reliable way to truly rank web directories, whether by PageRank, Alexa Rank, backlinks, or otherwise. This list is compiled from good old-fashioned observance (but for the record, you should avoid any web directory with a PR3 or lower, in our opinion).
1. DMOZ – (FREE) – Directory Mozilla, a.k.a. the Open Directory Project, is King of kings, when it comes to web directories. Hard as hell to get approved, not because they are necessarily picky, but mostly because their volunteer editors engage in crony-ism and pure laziness.
2. BOTW – (PAID) – Expensive as hell, but worth it. Best of the Web, as they are called, is one of the oldest and best maintained web directories on the Internet. Also, Google tends to agree with this statement, so you probably should too.
3. YAHOO – (PAID) – Also expensive as hell, but again, worth it. Many SEO experts would list the Yahoo Directory as second best, but since they have so many expired, crappy, and/or otherwise dead websites in their index, I choose to list them third.
4. JOEANT – (PAID) – Amazingly cheap for their quality. JoeAnt is fast becoming of the most respected web directories out there, so all of us webmasters better pray that they are gracious enough to keep their prices down.
5. IPL – (FREE) – Now a merger between IPL (Internet Public Library) and LII (Librarians’ Internet Index). This directory is highly regarded as one of the most powerful in regard to SEO value, however it is nearly impossible to be accepted.
6. EZILON – (PAID) – Originally focused on Europe, now Ezilon seems to accept most any quality websites. Their site is a bit strange to navigate around for me, with weird URL structure sometimes, but they are old and seem pretty respected.
7. BUSINESS – (PAID) – Extremely expensive, and mostly just focuses on business industries. Plus, its confusing as heck to navigate. Can you tell that I’m not a big fan of the Business.com web directory? Esteemed, yes. But I’d say overrated.
8. GOGUIDES – (PAID) – Many webmasters would disagree with me here, but after observing my very successful competitors, I must conclude that GoGuides.org is one of the most respected directories when it comes to search engine rankings.
9. SKAFFE – (PAID) – Reasonably priced and well respected by Google, Skaffe shouldn’t be passed up in your link building. (b. 2003)
10. AVIVA – (PAID) – Aviva Directory has seemingly been penalized multiple times by Google for link-swapping with their other websites among other things. At this time they are still docked to a PR3, but I’ve seen respected SEO experts still using them, so…
11. UNCOVERTHENET – (PAID) – Overpriced, but seemingly quite respected. Great traffic and layout. Just… overly expensive.
12. TYGO – (PAID) – Their site is a bit messy, but they seem to have quality editorial discretion with their approvals. I’ve observed successful competitors using this directory so I will choose to believe it has potential.
13. FAMILYFRIENDLY – (PAID) – Quite overpriced I’d say, but overall pretty reliable. They have a bunch of websites that I don’t see on other directories, and vice-versa, which makes me kind of doubt their authority, but they seem to remain somewhat respected.
14. WEBWORLDINDEX – (PAID) – Decent collection of decent quality sites, but nothing amazing. Seem to have a pretty good sense with their write-ups and acceptance of sites, so they are worth a mention. Keep an eye on these guys.
15. JAYDE – (FREE) – Probably one of the most overrated directories on the web, in my opinion. They seem to accept just about anything, as long as its not too spammy. I wouldn’t be surprised if their PageRank fell to a PR3 soon.
16. V7N – (PAID) – Once again, severely overpriced for how incomplete and unbalanced their directory is. I only include it because they seem to maintain a decent PageRank and decent reputation among certain webmaster circles.
17. ROMOW – (PAID) – Overpriced. Seems to be common, huh. Fantastic design and layout, but barely any websites. They seem to have decent respect on Google but nothing amazing yet. I hope they lower their price and get more content.
18. DIRJOURNAL – (PAID) – Extremely overpriced to the point that they barely have any websites listed in their directory, but somehow they have damn high traffic and pretty high respect on Google it would seem.
19. PEGASUS – (FREE) – Old as the hills, and has a healthy, balanced collection of sites. Go for it.
20. DOMAINING – (FREE) – Seem to have good judgment and good traffic and good sites. Good enough for me.
21. GLOBALWEBLINKS – (PAID) – Overpriced but decent quality. Seems to pass some decent link juice. PR3.
22. LINKOPEDIA – (PAID) – Pretty good editorial judgment and very cheap to submit. Overall a decent option. PR3.
23. LINKCENTRE – (FREE) – Write-ups are a tad bit spammy, but overall good filtering and not bad for a free directory.
24. MASSIVELINKS – (PAID) – Pretty high traffic directory, and decent price. Overall a little overpriced for the quality.