This is a brief explanation of the difference between search engines and directories.

SEARCH ENGINES

A search engine, like Google or Bing, is a totally automated piece of software that runs on a server.  These search engines use software called “robots” (or spiders or web crawlers) that will take a look at the text content on your website. They then use that information (along with other factors in their algorithms) to tell what your site is about and rank it within their search results.

The process of adding and updating sites that are included in the search engine is totally automated, and no human looks at your site before or after your site is included. Site owners generally can’t control which specific information from their site will be shown to the web surfer in the search engines results. Search engines can often find new sites without the site owner ever requesting to be included although most do have some type of Add New Site form.

Search engines use automated methods to keep out spam sites from their results.  With search engines, it’s important to make sure your site is search engine friendly (often referred to as SEO: Search Engine Optimization).

We encourage all website owners to read Google’s Search Engine Optimization Starter Guide PDF document.

DIRECTORIES

A directory, like DMOZ or PrinterListings.com, is a more categorized way of finding information.  The information that the user is looking for is organized into subject categories that they can browse or search.  Website owners need to manually submit their site to be included in the directory, and the directory administrators (actual human beings), take time out to review each listing to make sure that the information is relevant to the directory’s purpose.

With directories, site owners are in control of what information is shown to the customer in the directory search results. Site owners can instantly update their information so that it’s always current.  Good ol’ fashioned human beings look at each site to keep the directories spam free and full of relevant information for the searcher.

When submitting your site to directories, it’s important to not get caught up in the SEO tactics that you may have read in other places. The reason for this is because you aren’t optimizing for an “engine” or robot where you aren’t in control of how your site appears. Instead, you’re optimizing for an actual human being (and potential customer) that will read your business name and the description of your personally written description of your business offering to decide whether or not your company is a good fit for their needs.

Please take the time to enter accurate, relevant, and concise information when submitting your site to directories :)