I'm hearing more and more people obsess over the idea that they only want content page link trades instead of directory link trades.

First off...I agree. Content page trades are more valuable IF the links are surrounded by text and placed in a content friendly logical location within the page. If we're talking about a text link with anchor text only in a table with a bunch of other text links with anchor text only I'd say they aren't any more valuable than a directory link with nice descriptions after each link.

That said, I think people undervalue the weight that google places on directories. As long as the directory is well done with good sized description text after each link, google is treating those pages and their links with great respect. Last time I checked, >2% of my total traffic was COMING IN from my directory pages. There was no significant optimization on that directory. It was just a directory of quality links with quality descriptions. And those descriptions capture people. In fact they still do.

I've seen a few people who feel that a few anchor text only links tucked in the bottom of an MLS results page is somehow superior to a directory page.

My main point is that all factors usually are not equal. So people should consider more than just if a link is on a directory vs content page. The quality of either and placement within the site's hierarchy are major factors.

(hoping to incite a few reactions and as always, I am happy to be corrected...but you still have to argue past the point of >2% of traffic coming via unoptimized directory pages)

Yes, some people may be obsessed because they heard form someone who heard from someone who is rumored to be a Big SEO guru, etc, etc, etc. My linking strategy is based on my situation, my observations and research for what will be the most efficient for my web sites.

I would agree with the exception that Google tells us in their TrustRank that "the value of the link is proportional to the care taken in obtaining the link." (paraphrased, the quote is from memory.) My interpretation is that a page with many links reduces each link's value, your interpretation may be different.

I have no way of know how google values directories. There is some indications that they are devaluing directories. Again it is interpretation. I think the fact that you get close to 2% of your traffic from directories is more important than how google values a directory.

I believe that google values links within the eco-system it is in. The anchor text is one element of the eco-system there are many others.

We are in more in agreement than disagreement. My biggest complaint about linking strategies, whether directory or non-directory, is that they are not thought out.

I never argue with success.

The best link would come from a page with unique content talking about your area. Lets say 250-350 words that are only about your area. Your link would be within the text of the page where it made sense surrounded by lots of other keyword rich text.

The hard part is someone has to write the content, you have to find a like minded link partner, and you need to get someone to add an entire page to their site for you.

Now that is what I would call a quality link or links. To make it worth while I would say that you would want 4-5 links to different pages on your site in the text.

As for directory listings, they are still worth while. As for pages that are just full of links without any order...little to no value.

This is how it works...(opinion)

If a site hasn't reached "authority" status, a link from a regular page has more benefit, but the link should also have accompanying information about you and where you work.

Once a site reaches "authority" status (which is almost impossible for a real estate agent site), then links from directories are quite beneficial, provided the page is not too "general" in nature. You want the directory page to be as specific (geographically) as possible.

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Yes, as long as the directory is quality...then I believe it functions as a content page. Until G gets smart enough to tell the difference between a directory page and a content page (I'm not sure I could come up with an algo that could do that...product listings pages and directories look very similar) then it really boils down to page quality. I've always tried to keep my directory pages well themed. As a result every partner that gets added onto a particular page increases the already themed strength of that page. Of course that theme could be mortgages or arizona or spain. I suppose that's kind of "seo for directories" but it's a by product of making a quality directory (as opposed to an unorganized and non-thematic directory).

To sum up...it's all about quality. And if you have good quality, then I'll betcha that Directory=Content as far as G can tell.

It seems pretty obvious that if you've got juicy text descriptions wrapped around your links, they'll be more likely to be picked up by the engines. That would make sense.

I agree with Cecil though, the text descriptions in the directories serve as "content". Content pages only seem more valuable because:

- They've got more text content associated with the link.
- There are less links to share the PR with

.. The latter being more important...

I agree that in some, in my opinion, very few, instances that the search engines may have a difficult time distinquishing between a content and directory page. How much can a page content or directory be worth when links are piled higher and deeper? How much theme does a page with 75 New York real esate links on an Alabama site have? What ties the links together to give it relevance as measured by a search engine? If someone takes the effort to address these and similar issues that distinguish a directory page from a content page then why not take the easier route of a pure content page. In my opinion, a well structured content page with a few "relevant" links will be worth much more to both your site and your link partners.

Disclaimer: I am expressing my opinion, I am not suggesting that anyone change their ways. However, I would like to exchange links with SEOs and webmasters who have similar ideas.

"How much theme does a page with 75 New York real esate links on an Alabama site have?" ..great question....but I think that google does everything on a page basis. Which means that a well written State based link or content page from any theme site is going to hold some relevance if your keyword contains your state name.

Every ranking technique in google's patents deals with pages and links to and from pages. PR is page based, serps are page based...so why shouldn't themes be page based???

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The theme of the site is real estate. Real estate is what ties it together and why there is plently of relevance IMO.

A content page talking about Agent Joe Blow that has 5 text links on the right hand column has the same if not less relevance than a directory taht is broken out by states and all of the titles and other on page SEO are for that state. Take a look at my Utah Real Estate or Canada Real Estate page to see what I would consider a good directory page. I figure I will not be adding anymore links to sites in Canada at this point as I don't want to dilute the PR any further.

The most worthless link you can get is a "links page" that has agents, mortgage, and other links to just about anything on it. There is no order to it, no theme, no relevance, and many get dropped by G.

More I think about it I am not sure that a link on an agents content page is really any higher in value than a directory that is done correctly.

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I want to re-enforce it is my opinion. Nothing more. For anyone who might be interested, here is a the longer version of my Linking Strategies