Search engines and directories |
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The term
search engines is used quite liberally through
this website but we really mean search engines
AND directories.
Search engines use automated "crawlers" or
"spiders" to follow every link on every page
on the Internet. If you have at least one
incoming link to your website, the search
engines will eventually find it. Directories
use human intervention so you need to tell
them about your website if you want to be
found.
Search engines and directories have their own
rules and do not accept all websites submitted
to them. Focus on quality content, do not
cheat, and refer to our
search engines optimization page to
increase your chances to have your website
accepted.
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Major search engines and directories |
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There are many search engines but unless you
sell dried grasshoppers in Tanzania, you only
need to deal with a handful of major US search
engines that are used in the vast majority of
all Internet searches. These are
Google,
Yahoo,
MSN,
AOL,
Ask,
and
DMOZ. It is crucial to gain decent
rankings with those search engines and
directories.
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How to submit your website |
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Search engines
typically offer a manual submission process
through their websites. Automated tools like
Submit Express are also available to
facilitate this process.
Be careful with companies that offer free
submission to thousands of search engines.
There are not that many search engines and
those companies are likely just be trying to
get your email to send you junk mail.
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Wait before submitting your website |
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Search engines
and directories update their databases every 2
to 6 weeks so it may take a while for a change
to take effect. Do it right the first time!
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How do I know I am listed? |
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Simply go to each of the search engines and do
a query with your company or URL name. Your
listing should come on top.
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Some search engines will list your website for
free, some for a fee, some offer both options.
Paid inclusion will reduce the time it takes
for the search engines to find your website
but will not help your ranking.
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Commercial vs non-commercial websites |
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Some search engines charge a fee to list
commercial websites but will do it for free
for non-commercial or non-profit websites.
There is a way around that. As an example, if
you sell running shoes, write a web page about
the history of the running shoe over the
years. Take your time and provide original,
meaningful, and well organized information.
Include at least one link to your home page
and submit your page as free information.
Chances are that your web page will accepted.
Once it is, the search engines crawlers will
find the rest of your website.
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Periodically re-submit your website |
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Search engines are notorious for loosing or
dropping listing with no apparent reasons. To
maintain optimal ranking, you should consider
optimizing and re-submitting your website,
about twice a year.
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