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

Web Directory vs Search Engine

While both are accustomed to find content online, the primary difference is that links discovered through a search engine are gathered automatically while a web directory involves humans adding the links. The result of a web directory can be an easily digestible listing of links organized within common categories. A directory makes it easy to find websites by subject, whereas a research 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. An actual person (not a computer software program) identifies which websites ought to be included in 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 needs to manually include the hyperlink, title, and every other information they desire contained in the listing. Depending how the web directory works, the owner might also let other website owners request that their site be put into the directory. Web directory submissions might be a free option or, with respect to the directory , something that needs payment. Whenever you come upon a website directory , you will find usually two ways to find content: browse and/or search. Categories in many cases are used to separate your lives different sites and better organize the directory , but there's usually also a research engine built-in that allows you to search through the entire website.
Should You Use a Web Directory?

You could wonder whether you need to use a web directory or a popular search engine. After all, a search engine finds much additional information must be web directory is, by definition, limited in what it lists. The concept behind employing a web directory is that you have trust in 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 wide search with a research engine, which could deliver irrelevant results or website pages with viruses, inappropriate games, etc. Ultimately, the choice is yours. If you like to choose for yourself which websites you wish to visit, a research engine is more helpful. However, if you're not sure where to look for the most effective cooking sites, or physics information, or news sites (or literally anything else), you could prefer a web directory. From a website owner's perspective, a web directory could be helpful if you're targeting users in a specific geographical location. You can submit your website to a directory under a particular location so that whenever 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 all, this web directory has existed since 1991, rendering it the oldest web directory online. It had been produced by the person who invented HTML and the net, Tim Berners-Lee. Volunteers are accountable for compiling pages in fields of these expertise, causing 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'll find only the greatest 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 number of reference resources covers from language, science, and geography to economics, agriculture, travel, and much more.
5.Hotfrog: This directory of websites lists millions of businesses in dozens of countries.
6.World Site Index: A search engine and web directory with a distinctive Latest Additions page. There's are strict submission rules and plenty of categories to choose from. You will find two tiers should you desire to pay to submit your site.
7.Incrawler: This comprehensive web directory accepts paid listings, organizes websites in lots of categories, and includes a research tool.
8.Family Friendly Sites: Active since 1996, this can be a human-moderated directory that keeps the internet rated "G."
9.Jayde: This web directory markets itself as a small business internet search engine, but you can also browse manually through the a large number of categories, including 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 as the "most trusted directory." Site owners must pay a listing fee to achieve an area here.
11.Jasmine Directory : The numerous subjects with this internet directory are ordered by region and topic. Visitors can submit URLs for a fee.