Getting the Benefits from Directory Links: Good Links Versus Bad Links

Unfortunately, not all links are created equal, and not all directory links will be valued the same - if at all - when they are linking to your site. It is a hard price to pay if you are paying a directory strictly for the backlink (as opposed to paying for actual traffic that will come through the directory itself.

Good links

A good link is a link coded right to the page you want linked to. A good link would be coded something like this:

An even better link would also use link text. (Click here for more on link text):

Do keep in mind that some directories - particularly DMOZ - will not allow you to use anything other than the actual site name for the link text. Doing otherwise could mean your submission would get deleted, while doing it with the site name might have gotten it included.

Bad links

Bad links are coded in someway so that the linked site will not get the full benefit - if any benefit at all - from the link. These types of links include jumplinks, hoplinks, or javascript.

An example of a hoplink or jumplink would be this:

Or this:

Notice how neither of them are linking to http://www.mymommybiz.com but rather to http://www.somedirectorysite.com? While ocassionally you may see some of these kinds of links in your backlinks, it is very rare, and it usually still does not "count" for anything.

If your link is imbedded within a javascript link, it will not "count" for anything, either. While Google is now able to extract URLs from javascript links, it will not mean you will get any benefit whatsoever. A link coded to your site from a PR9 page will not benefit you if it is embedded in javascript.

Whenever you are paying for a directory, especially if you are counting on the backlink value of that directory link, always check to see if the site is utilizing "good links" or "bad links". Both DMOZ and MomLinks only use the good links.

But Why?

Why do directories do jumplinks or hoplinks? It is not neccessarily to prevent you from getting the full backlink power (although most of those running directories are fully aware of this consequence). But most are wanting to keep track of what sites are being clicked through to, in order to determine top directory listings, and just to see where the visitor's interest is at in the particular directory.

Why do they use javascript? In most instances, the only reason for using javascript is to prevent a person from getting any value from the directory site for that link.

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