Paid Directories v Paid Links - what's the difference?

[gadget]

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There are some high profile, well thought of paid for directories that seem to be credible in Google's eyes. However, I thought paying for links was bad from a SERPS / SEO perspective?

I suppose the question is, what can I do without upsetting the big G?

[Stellar]

what can I do without upsetting the big G?

I have discovered in the past few days that it doesn't matter if you are sweeky clean, the Big G will still find a reason to have a problem!

In answer to your question though, I think paid directories are pretty much the same as paid links, especially if you are paying the directory to boolster your page rank. If the directory offers more value then just a Pagerank boost, then it is a different story. But in that case, the directory should apply a "nofollow" attribute to the links to ensure that it does not get a google slap in the future.

[Joe90]

Personally I don't think either method will do you any harm but it is questionable about just how much good, if any, that it will do.
From experience it is vastly more rewarding to invest both time and money into having links built by a respected link building company.
We have tried quite a few and the results differ hugely. I am more than happy to post a link of the company we use or PM me for details.

I completely agree with Stellar and of course a no follow tag would mean there is no benefit for your PR or link equity at all.

[gadget]

Isn't the Yahoo Directory a paid-for service?

[Stellar]

Isn't the Yahoo Directory a paid-for service?

Maybe Yahoo will get a Google slap, which will be very amusing.

Or perhaps it is a typical case of one rule for us, and a completely different rule for the search engines.

Basically there is often no logic to what the search engines do. something we just have to live with.

[Top banana]

There is logic.

The logic is that a good directory will reject poor sites, whereas a paid for link will not as they dont have a published editorial policy.

With yahoo you pay for someone to review your site (you cant buy a link from them), and supposely only "good quality" sites are accepted and therefore google allows yahoo to pass quite a lot of link value.

[Stellar]

Good point Top Banana

[bills2big.com]

I have always stayed away from paid directories, and have always ranked well. Free natural links and free directory links are always winners in ranking well.