5 Tips to Optimize Inclusion in Yahoo’s Directory

One marketing method to help drive traffic to your website is inclusion in an on-line search directory.

Yahoo serves as both a search engine and a major search directory, but be aware there are some distinct differences between the two. This article describes strategies that website owners can use to optimize their inclusion in Yahoo’s directory.

Yahoo has two submission options to their directory: “Standard,” which is free, and “Yahoo Directory Submit,” which involves a submission fee for use by commercial web sites.

If you are paying to submit, use the Yahoo Directory Submit Form. Yahoo editors will choose a category for you. All you need to do is fill out the form that is presented.

Yahoo Search-Part Spider, Part Human!

Part of Yahoo’s search results come from their search engine spiders and indexing software. The other part comes from Yahoo’s human editors called “surfers”. These web surfers view Yahoo directory submissions individually before admission into Yahoo’s directory.

Admissions to the Yahoo directory are entirely at the discretion of surfers viewing individual websites. The following tips will help you optimize your business’ placement in Yahoo’s directory

=>Tip 1

Use accurate and concise descriptions of website content to optimize Yahoo search directory placement. Business owners have some discretionary power regarding the descriptions that appear in the Yahoo directory.

Owners will be directed to select the most appropriate directory categories for their site and to write accurate descriptions of site content. Factors that affect directory placement are selecting the right category and writing a good concise description.

=>Tip 2

Yahoo’s “Express Submit” service provides speedier inclusion in Yahoo’s directory. Typically, submission lead time can often be 8-10 weeks, without using the Express Submit service.

=>Tip 3

Always fill out forms for Yahoo Directory exactly as requested. Some sites may not get listed simply because the submitter did not follow directions correctly when filling out the forms. Whenever you are asked for a phone number, be sure you only give one phone number and always include the area code. Some fields are optional, but it is important to fill out all those that are not. Always include an accurate company name, address, phone and fax #s.

Whenever asked for a description of 25 words or less, don’t exceed this limit or try stuffing it with keywords. Just write a brief accurate and concise description of your site’s content.

Yahoo surfers will change inaccurate or unacceptable site descriptions after they are listed in the search directory. Don’t waste this opportunity to optimize your listing description and be stuck with someone else’s description of your business. Avoid this “no-brainer” by using accurate descriptions.

=>Tip 4

Carefully select your business listing categories. You only get three categories; choose them wisely. Study your competitor’s listings; The What People Search For page has resources to help you determine whether your site shows up where your target audience is searching.

Make sure your site’s content accurately reflects your category listings. Closely scrutinize your site’s descriptions to ensure Yahoos surfers leave your site listed under the categories you selected.

If applicable, you may include your site in one of the regional categories. Typically, much of Yahoo directory traffic is local-comparable to business from the local phone company’s Yellow Page ads.

=>Tip 5

Draw attention to your site’s unique content in your directory submission. Add value to the Yahoo directory by calling attention to unique aspects of your online business. Make sure you have unique content on your site and highlight it in the 25-word description or the extra comments field in the Yahoo directory submission form.

The above will certainly get you started on the right path to ensuring a proper and effective listing in Yahoo’s directory. However, we will soon post a follow up article with five more tips for your consideration!