Is it dangerous to run a directory?

I would like to know if operating a directory is dangerous because since your directory is linking out to a lot of Web site - there my be a bad site that you link to: i.e. a site that google considers shady - and then google will ban your directory as a result: and your directory will lose all its page rank and search engine rankings/traffic?

I am scared of this.

Is this a big problem with running a directory or not?

Thank you.


Answer:


Running a directory is hard work, and you would normally review all submissions before accepting them, so it shouldnt be a worry.

How can you tell if a site is shady?

Also what if a site that used to not be shady when you approved, changes, and becomes shady?

You set some guidelines early on: (ie. no sites that are all affiliate links, no sites under construction, no mlm's, nothing that plays music, or whatever etc.) The rest comes with experience - you just start learning to sense dodgy sites. HINT: don't just copy what all the other directories are doing because most of them have it wrong.

>>shady

If the site becomes shady after they have been approved them you boot them out.


You can't just wait for submissions with a directory. You have to go out and find quality sites to "seed" the directory with to start. Write your own descriptions for listings. If you wait only for people to submit you will end up with a bunch of cr*p, pharma, casino and p*rn sites and the directory will be worthless.


Interesting. So if you build a good foundation for your directory first: by filling it with quality sites then you will have a lesser chance of being penalized by the search engines later on.

Excellent tip!

before approving a website check it. see if the content is legal and not offensive.
google the site, check if it's in the google index, if is look at what websites link to it.
in the end - it a combination of common sense and gut feeling.
just don't build an automated service - because people will take advantage of it for the worse.