What Is a Web Directory ? Search the human-organized web A web directory is a handmade list of websites. Also called a topic directory , these lists create an organized method for finding websites. A net website directory is comparable, however not identical, to a research engine.

Web Directory vs Search Engine

While the two are used to find content on the web, the principal difference is that links discovered via a search engine are gathered automatically while a web directory involves humans adding the links. The consequence of a web directory can be an easily digestible set of links organized within common categories. A directory makes it easy to find websites by subject, whereas a search engine is ideal for finding websites through keywords.
How a Web Directory Works

Most web directories list websites by subject, which explains why they're often called subject directories. A genuine person (not a pc software program) identifies which websites ought to be within the list on a per-site basis, and thus the whole directory is chosen by hand. For content to be included with a web directory , the master has to manually include the hyperlink, title, and any information they need included in the listing. Depending on what the web directory works, the master might also let other website owners request that their site be added to the directory. Web directory submissions might be a free option or, with regards to the directory , something that needs payment. Once you come upon a website directory , you will find usually two ways to get content: browse and/or search. Categories in many cases are used to separate different sites and better organize the directory , but there's usually also a search engine built-in that allows you to sort through the whole website.
Should You Use a Web Directory?

You could wonder whether you need to use a web directory or a favorite search engine. After all, a research engine finds much extra information because a web directory is, by definition, limited in what it lists. The idea behind employing a web directory is that you have rely upon what the master is listing. As an example, maybe you'd prefer a hand-picked list of "The Best Online Games for Kids" rather than doing a broad search with a search engine, which could deliver irrelevant results or website pages with viruses, inappropriate games, etc. Ultimately, the decision is yours. If you want to determine yourself which websites you wish to visit, a search engine is more helpful. However, if you're uncertain where to consider the very best cooking sites, or physics information, or news sites (or literally anything else), you might prefer a website directory. From an internet site owner's perspective, a web directory may be helpful if you're targeting users in a specific geographical location. You are able to submit your website to a directory under a certain location so that after users browse for sites listed there, they'll find yours.
Examples of Web Directories

1.googleusercontent.com The World Wide Web Virtual Library
2. The World Wide Web Virtual Library: The granddaddy of them, this web directory has existed since 1991, which makes it the oldest web directory online. It had been created by the man who invented HTML and the web, Tim Berners-Lee. Volunteers are accountable for compiling pages in fields of their expertise, resulting in a directory that's widely regarded as among the best in quality available.
3.Alive Web Directory : A large number of websites are right here, and their strict editorial process ensures that you will discover only the highest quality content in categories like kids and teen, news, regional, entertainment, business, arts, science, sports, shopping, society, internet, and others.
4.Martindale's The Reference Desk: This enormous collection of reference resources covers everything from language, science, and geography to economics, agriculture, travel, and much more.
5.Hotfrog: This directory of websites lists millions of businesses in lots of countries.
6.World Site Index: A search engine and web directory with a unique Latest Additions page. There's are strict submission rules and a lot of categories to pick from. There are two tiers should you desire to pay for to submit your site.
7.Incrawler: This comprehensive web directory accepts paid listings, organizes websites in a large number of categories, and includes a research tool.
8.Family Friendly Sites: Active since 1996, this is a human-moderated directory that keeps the internet rated "G."
9.Jayde: This web directory markets itself as a business search engine, but you may also browse manually through the dozens of categories, which include everything from government and industrial to energy, health, automotive, agriculture, retail, chemicals, telecommunications, and electronics.
10.Best of the Web: Established in 1994, the website bills itself because the "most trusted directory." Site owners must pay a listing fee to gain a spot here.
11.Jasmine Directory : The numerous subjects with this internet directory are ordered by region and topic. Visitors can submit URLs for a fee.