Feb 11, 2009
Fundamental Differences between Search Engines and Web Directories
Often times the words “search engine” and “web directory” are used interchangeably but the fact is that they are quite different by nature. Search engines provide a quick and easy way to find information while web directories require browsing to find the type of listings you are searching for. Here are 3 fundamental differences between web directories and search engines.
1. Search engines like Google and Altavista use robots, crawlers, or spiders to build indices while web directories have human editors building their indices. Search engine robots function by locating web pages, reading their contents, and reporting the findings back to the indices.
Search engine indices are updated on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. Web directories such as Yahoo and Dmoz receive submissions that are reviewed by human editors. The manual submission and review process is time-consuming so web directory listings are inevitably less up-to-date than search engine listings.
2. For your site to appear in a web directory, you will typically be required to pay a nominal fee to cover the cost of having a human editor review your website. Directories typically only add sites that provide unique content and that are run by legitimate, verifiable companies. On the other hand, almost any website can be included in search engine results at no cost. However, it is highly competitive to rank well on search engines and it takes a substantial amount of time and effort.
Search engines will judge the value of your website based on each page’s titles and content so including relevant keywords in your text is necessary. The quantity of quality backlinks to your website is also an important factor in improving search engine rankings.
3. Search engine results tend to list web pages whereas web directories list websites as a whole. If you want to find a listing of websites that offer similar services, your best bet is to browse a web directory. Searching web directories is not recommended because it is more difficult to find websites that are highly relevant to your search query. Web directories often have to partner with search engines in order to produce more relevant, up-to-date search results.
If you need quick access to information, you are better off heading to a search engine, where you can find specific pages that contain information relevant to your search query. For instance, if you are looking for DIY plumbing information, you are going to want to enter your query in a search engine whereas if you need to find a plumber in your area, you are better off browsing a web directory to find the service are looking for.
In conclusion, when comparing the ability of web directories and search engines in driving relevant traffic to your website, a good search engine ranking certainly holds more weight. If you are a business owner and have a website, it wouldn’t hurt to pay the nominal fee to submit your URL to a web directory because it may generate leads. However, if you want to drive substantial traffic to your website your best bet is to focus on improving your website’s SEO strategies. In the long run, a good search engine ranking will deliver the most results.
1. Search engines like Google and Altavista use robots, crawlers, or spiders to build indices while web directories have human editors building their indices. Search engine robots function by locating web pages, reading their contents, and reporting the findings back to the indices.
Search engine indices are updated on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. Web directories such as Yahoo and Dmoz receive submissions that are reviewed by human editors. The manual submission and review process is time-consuming so web directory listings are inevitably less up-to-date than search engine listings.
2. For your site to appear in a web directory, you will typically be required to pay a nominal fee to cover the cost of having a human editor review your website. Directories typically only add sites that provide unique content and that are run by legitimate, verifiable companies. On the other hand, almost any website can be included in search engine results at no cost. However, it is highly competitive to rank well on search engines and it takes a substantial amount of time and effort.
Search engines will judge the value of your website based on each page’s titles and content so including relevant keywords in your text is necessary. The quantity of quality backlinks to your website is also an important factor in improving search engine rankings.
3. Search engine results tend to list web pages whereas web directories list websites as a whole. If you want to find a listing of websites that offer similar services, your best bet is to browse a web directory. Searching web directories is not recommended because it is more difficult to find websites that are highly relevant to your search query. Web directories often have to partner with search engines in order to produce more relevant, up-to-date search results.
If you need quick access to information, you are better off heading to a search engine, where you can find specific pages that contain information relevant to your search query. For instance, if you are looking for DIY plumbing information, you are going to want to enter your query in a search engine whereas if you need to find a plumber in your area, you are better off browsing a web directory to find the service are looking for.
In conclusion, when comparing the ability of web directories and search engines in driving relevant traffic to your website, a good search engine ranking certainly holds more weight. If you are a business owner and have a website, it wouldn’t hurt to pay the nominal fee to submit your URL to a web directory because it may generate leads. However, if you want to drive substantial traffic to your website your best bet is to focus on improving your website’s SEO strategies. In the long run, a good search engine ranking will deliver the most results.
Labels: search_engines, seo_guide
