Many believe that web directories have grown to become outdated because of the emergence of search engines. Webmasters have become skeptical about the role of web directories. It is true that some web directories have chosen to shut down even if they were highly accepted in their own time. Some of these include Lycos and Zeal. Lycos began its operations in 1995 when they started listing the top 5% of website that exited in the World Wide Web. Although their concept was highly accepted, they ceased to operate in 2000 in pursuit of better web opportunities.

The same is true with Zeal who started its operations in 1999. Their differentiation strategy was that their indices were built by volunteer editors. After one year in business, LookSmart struck an acquisition deal with its developers. In 2006, they were forced to shut down. However, these are but some of the web directories that ever existed. Website owners need not be skeptical of the importance of web directories because these types of listings still prove their purpose. Website owners must simply find the right web directories in which they may choose to be listed.

Finding the most popular directories on the web can save a lot of time, money, and effort. The top five have been compiled below for the benefit of website owners who seek to increase their website’s visibility on the ever growing World Wide Web. These directories have proven their worth not just by their tenure but also by their popularity with internet users.

1. Yahoo! Directory [http://dir.yahoo.com] – The most popular searchable listing of websites whose general categories include Arts & Humanities, Business & Economy, Computers & Internet, Education, Entertainment, Government, Health, News & Media, Recreation & Sports, Reference, Regional, Science, Social Science, and Society & Culture.
2. Open Project Directory [http://www.dmoz.org] – One of the largest searchable listings whose database is built by volunteer editors around the world. Its general categories include Arts, Business, Computers, Games, Health, Home, Kids & Teens, News, Recreation, Reference, Regional, Science, Shopping, Society, and Sports.
3. Google Directory [http://directory.google.com] – A widely-renowned website that combines the database of the Open Project Directory with their search engine technology. Moreover, the contents of which are superior for they make use of professional editors.
4. Environment Web Directory [http://www.webdirectory.com] – This site claims to be the largest environmental free directory in the world. Its general categories include Agriculture, Animals, Arts, Business, Databases, Design, Disasters, Education, Employment, Energy, Forestry, General Environmental Interest, Government, Health, Land Conservation, News & Events, Parks & Recreation, Pollution, Products & Services, Publications, Recycling, Science, Social Science, Sustainable Development, Transportation, Usenet Newsgroups, Vegetarianism, Water Resources, Weather, and Wildlife.
5. Directory Dump Web Directory [http://directorydump.com] – One of the largest human edited directories whose general categories include Arts & Entertainment, Business & Industry, Computers, Daily Lifestyle, Health & Fitness, Internet, Kids & Teens, Shopping, Society & Culture, and Sports.

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