On How Certain Web Directories Function as Filters for Google
Everybody is comfortable with using search engines nowadays, as they allow us to discover things rather quickly. This is crucial, however search engine results aren’t calculated by humans, but by an algorithmic rule. Why is that noteworthy? Well, imagine you are searching for a restaurant in Halifax for example. You would enter this keyphrase into Google (for example), then a number of search results would appear. How can one know if these results are trusted if they’ve never been filtered by a human editor? Here’s the answer: search engines employ human-administered website directories as a rudamentary filter.
Directories still play a fundamental role on the web, and the greatest directories are inevitably human edited. A human may recognize that (e.g.) : “hmm, that hotel has a michelin star, that’s a rather secure signal”. A renowned directory will receive a number of submissions everyday. An official will look into these submissions, and if the editor is satisfied that the level of the entry is of a particular standard, it is added to the internet directory. And this is the reason why Google still loves online directories. Both the Yahoo! directory and dmoz.org are utilized by search engines as filters to observe the veracity of a website – whether it’s included in these directories or not, since they are human-edited and have stern guidelines.
Therefore don’t downplay the significance of internet directories just because almost everyone uses search engines to find things. A directory with stringent guidelines can act as a primary measuring device as to how authentic a website is. If you are a website owner, seek to get your site added in a niche directory, like a gardening directory, a jewellery directory, or a beauty directory.
While humanity is needing signs of trustiworthiness, the net will invariably need people to present their stamp of commendation, and therefore directories will forever play a role.
