What is a Web Directory and How Do I Use It?

A web directory is a web site that organizes other web sites by subject. Those that are maintained by humans instead of software are called human edited web directories. So now you ask, how do I use a directory? In most directories, the searcher looks at web sites organized by categories, sub-categories and menus. A web directory usually has less listed sites and its database is much smaller than a search engines. This is because the sites are looked at by human eyes instead of by search engine spiders. Spiders are robots that are sent out by search engines to locate all the websites available. It usually goes from website to website by following links from one to another. 

There are two methods for sites to be included in a web directory's listings. The owner of the site can submit it to the Web directory, or the directory's editors will eventually come across that site if it offers quality content and is useful to those seeking the information that it provides. 

In some cases the directories require the owner of the submitted site to place a link back to the directory from the submitted site. In this case, visitors of the submitted site will have the opportunity to visit the directory by simply clicking on the link. Some directories require that the owner of the site being submitted pay a fee to include their site. In most cases it is a one time fee, but some charge an annual review fee. Some directories allow for site owners to pay a premium fee in order to be featured in the category that best suits their site. The featured site pays to be listing prominetly over the regular submission sites. The charge is basically an advertising fee. There is also the free web directory that allows the submission of sites and does not charge a fee for including the site in its listings.  As you can see, directories are named and known by how they handle the inclusion of sites in their listings.