The Top 21 Web Directories You Need to Know

Are web directories still an invaluable asset in the year 2022? Absolutely. Delve into these 21 web directories to amplify your online presence and propel traffic to your website. If you engaged in link building during the early 2000s, you likely reminisce about submitting your websites to directories boasting a commendable PageRank for a swift backlink acquisition.

Yet, akin to numerous link-building strategies of yore, as soon as it became too facile, Google began to cast a disapproving eye upon such links.

Now, the pressing question is: do web directories wield the same potency as a source of links for webmasters in 2022? The landscape of Google’s algorithm has evolved significantly.

While links continue to be a paramount ranking signal, Google no longer regards all links with equal weight. Links emanating from a web directory listing carry considerably less influence compared to a highly pertinent contextual link from a high-authority site within your niche.

This isn’t to dismiss web directories entirely. According to Moz’s research, web directories and local citations still maintain a semblance of influence, particularly for local businesses.

Nonetheless, Google’s John Mueller himself has explicitly stated that directory links “generally” do not contribute significantly to SEO. So, what’s a savvy marketer to do?

It’s time to shift your perspective on web directories. Rather than viewing them solely as a link repository, consider them as conduits for traffic and trust.

For businesses with a local footprint, maintaining consistent local citations with a uniform NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) is crucial. However, beyond that, web directories may not substantially boost your SEO. The true dividends lie in the credibility and traffic they channel towards your business site.

As you embark on your quest for web directories, bear these two criteria in mind. Pose these questions before finalizing your listing:

1. Is this a reputable site? In simpler terms, if a potential customer discovers my business on this site, would it enhance or diminish the perceived legitimacy of my business?
2. Is my target audience likely to frequent this site? If not, the effort invested in listing your business might not yield significant returns. Now, let’s delve into the web directories that retain relevance in the current landscape.

Web Directories of Enduring Value

In a bid to stay relevant, many traditional web directories have transformed from rudimentary listings to comprehensive review platforms. The following list features directories that transcend mere citation opportunities, possessing tangible traffic figures that can translate into genuine value for your website.

(Note: Unless specified otherwise, all traffic estimates were sourced from SimilarWeb.com in January 2022. Additionally, except for BOTW, Yahoo, and BBB, the listed directories offer free listings.)

Web Directories for Diverse Website Niches

1. BOTW (Best of the Web)
   • In operation since 1994, BOTW remains a trusted online directory with over 16 million businesses utilizing its services. It garners 60,000-70,000 visits monthly.
   • Explore blogs.botw.org for blogs and local.botw.org for local businesses.
   • A lifetime listing with a link to your website costs $297.
2. AboutUs
   • Initially conceived as a business domain directory, AboutUs now welcomes submissions and discussions about various websites.
   • The site boasts an average of 100,000 monthly visitors.
3. Spoke.com
   • Spoke serves as an online community for discovering and discussing business entities, individuals, news, and more.
   • Over 1.4 million companies and 5 million individuals are currently listed on the site, attracting over 100,000 monthly visitors.

Exclusive Web Directories for Blogs

4. Blogarama
   • Housing over 154,000 actively updated blog listings, Blogarama stands out as a consistent traffic driver, with over 150,000 monthly visitors.
   • Simply plug in your RSS feed, and Blogarama automatically updates your listing with your latest posts.

Relevance for Local Businesses

5. Google Business Profile
   • Formerly known as Google My Business, the rebranded Google Business Profile is an indispensable listing for local businesses, climbing in relevance as a local search ranking factor.
   • With Google being the world’s largest search engine, an optimized Google Business Profile ensures visibility to the vast majority of internet users seeking your business offerings.
6. Bing Places
   • Bing Places, akin to Google Business Profile, is essential for reaching users on the world’s second most popular search engine, particularly those utilizing Internet Explorer and Edge.
   • Ensure your business is listed to tap into the 6% of global search engine users on Bing.
7. Facebook
   • Beyond its social media identity, Facebook’s indexable Pages offer an additional channel for connection and discussion with your audience.
   • With two in three Facebook users visiting a local business Page weekly, it’s a platform worth leveraging.
8. Yelp
   • Yelp continues to reign supreme as the go-to review site for local businesses, boasting 224 million reviews and 90 million monthly users.
   • Positive Yelp reviews can significantly impact the purchasing decisions of 97% of users.
9. Foursquare
   • While not as popular as Yelp, Foursquare provides listings for a variety of local businesses, attracting 24 million monthly visitors.
10. Yellow Pages
    • The online iteration of the iconic Yellow Pages offers free business listings, along with additional features like coupons and blog content.
    • The site sees an average of 17 million monthly visitors.

Comprehensive Listings for Small Businesses

11. Chamber Of Commerce
    • Since 1998, ChamberOfCommerce.com has aimed to be the most extensive listing of small businesses online, currently listing over 30 million businesses.
    • Monthly traffic numbers exceed 780,000.
12. HotFrog
    • With around 80,000 monthly searches among the 69 million listed businesses, HotFrog offers free listings for businesses, sole practitioners, and those with a physical address.
13. Superpages
    • A local business directory attracting 500,000 to 600,000 monthly visitors, Superpages allows businesses to add basic information, reviews, photos, coupons, and links to their websites.
14. MerchantCircle
    • Positioned as a hub to find the best local merchants, MerchantCircle draws over 100 million consumers annually, resulting in around 1.5 million monthly visits.
15. Better Business Bureau (BBB)
    • A listing with BBB, once accredited, serves as a substantial trust signal for today’s consumers.
    • BBB ranks among the top 300 U.S. websites, with monthly traffic ranging from 12 to 13 million.
16. B2B Yellow Pages
    • Despite its seemingly antiquated appearance, B2B Yellow Pages remains a viable directory with over 18 million businesses and 500,000 to 600,000 monthly visits.

Emerging Platforms for Local Businesses

17. Nextdoor
    • Evolving from a neighborhood-centric platform, Nextdoor has transformed into an indispensable business directory with over 54 million business recommendations.
    • Capitalize on Business Posts, similar to Google Business Posts, instantly visible to users within 2 miles of your business.
18. eLocal
    • Established in 2007, eLocal remains a local business directory with 120,000 to 160,000 monthly visitors seeking businesses, doctors, contractors, and more.
19. DexKnows
    • Attracting around 100,000 monthly visitors, DexKnows serves as a local business directory aiding users in locating businesses and sole practitioners.
20. Alignable
    • Operating as a small business referral network, Alignable boasts over 7 million members, receiving over 3.3 million monthly visits.
    • Leverage Alignable for generating new business through referrals and collaborations.
21. Local.com
    • Listing over 100,000 local businesses, Local.com witnesses over 2 million monthly visitors.

Beyond the Horizon

Apart from the aforementioned directories, there might exist niche directories tailored to your industry, such as Avvo for attorneys, Thumbtack for local contractors, or Porch for home improvement professionals. BrightLocal.com offers an organized list of these directories, categorized by domain authority.

Additionally, services like Moz Local and Yext can streamline the process of creating, updating, and maintaining your local citations across numerous online directories. While some directories may serve merely as citations, these services often include prominent names like Yahoo and Yelp in their listings.

In conclusion, the presented directories still harbor significant value. If a directory draws traffic from your target audience, aligns with your website’s relevance, and upholds high-quality listings, it merits consideration for your backlink portfolio. Local businesses may discover pertinent directories on the websites of local newspapers, magazines, and business platforms, especially if they attract community-specific traffic.

When making your selection, scrutinize the page where your website would be listed. Ensure that your business aligns harmoniously with the other entities on the page. Following these guidelines ensures that you opt for the most valuable directories, maximizing the benefits for your business.