The focus of this category is on article directories, which are like web directories only they publish articles rather than website listings.
An article directory is a website that contains collections of articles about a variety of topics, differing from blogs or online magazines in that they accept new articles from contributors in a manner similar to that in which website owners might submit a link to their site to a web directory.
Some article directories are general in nature, accepting articles in a wide variety of topics, while others are more specific, covering a more narrow subject area.
Article directory scripts are available, similar to that of web directory scripts. In fact, some directory scripts can be used as article directory scripts as well, or as add-ons, and others are available from companies that also produce web directory scripts. Typically, submitted articles are from 400-500 words, although article directory administrators may allow fewer or a greater number of words. Some article directories will include a WYSIWYG editor for the purpose of writing and submitting articles. Usually, an author box is provided for personal information about the author, as well as a link to the author's website.
Generally, the author's purpose for submitting an article is for the link back to his website, but that is not necessarily the case. Some directories pay authors for their submissions, while others request payment from the submitter.
Categories or tags are often used to organize articles into subject areas, and the facilitate spidering by search engines since both tags and categories serve as keywords to identify the topics that are covered in the article.
Well managed article directories will require that submitted articles be unique, and not published elsewhere or spun, and will employ staff to review new submissions before publication. In such cases, there may be a waiting period before new articles are published to the site. This helps to reduce the likelihood of poor quality articles, duplicate articles or spun articles, as well as spam submissions.
Years ago, many article directories were set up for the sole purpose of article marketing, accepting submissions without oversight, and often for a charge. Others were encouraged to use these articles on their own websites, thus creating numerous, but low-quality, backlinks for the clients of article marketers, who often submitted poorly written, spun content, to numerous article directories, often with embedded links using anchor text. Article directories filled with such low-quality articles are known as content farms.
With the Google Penguin release of 2012, the search engine began penalizing sites that depended too highly on such directories. This led to a popular misconception that article directories are dangerous to SEO-conscious businesses and website owners. The truth is that the issue was not with the article directory industry, but with the lack of editorial oversight in many of them. A reputable article directory will not accept every article that is submitted but require that articles be well written and include content that is both useful and unique. Well-managed article directories are considered authority sites and are frequently crawled by search engine spiders.
Recommended Resources
AbiLogic’s article directory complements its general web directory, sorting articles into twenty-four topical categories, including, but not limited to, animals and pets, automotive, business and careers, computers, finance, health and fitness, home and garden, legal and law, news and society, reference and education, shopping, and travel and tourism. The front page features top articles and includes an author showcase. Readers may rate and comment on articles.
https://articles.abilogic.com/
Article Alley publishes articles on a variety of topics, including personal stories, product reviews, instructional articles, tributes to notable persons, news items, and other subjects. Articles may be submitted by anyone, and established authors may be invited, or apply, to begin earning royalties from their writing. Its guidelines are posted, and new authors are welcomed. Published articles are categorized by subject, and articles may be used as content on websites.
http://www.articlealley.com/
Online since 2005, ArticleCube is a publisher of articles on a variety of topics, in which experts and talented authors are invited to post their content, which is sorted into twenty topical categories. The benefits of submitting articles to the site are summarized, along with the preferred type of content, submission guidelines, format, terms of service, and privacy policies. Reader comments may be added to published articles, and similar articles are featured on the page.
https://www.articlecube.com/
Specializing in publishing articles on topics related to fixing things, creating things, building things, or learning how, eHow employs a team of content providers and also solicits articles from contributors who will write on do-it-yourself projects, crafts, repairs, recipes, or making things. Published content is sorted into a variety of categories, such as home repair and decor, crafts, food and drink, garden, fashion and beauty, and holidays. Author profiles are included.
https://www.ehow.com/
Managed by proprietary software, the site includes a searchable database of original articles, posted by authors and writers, which can be used by newsletter publishers seeking content. Articles may be found by keyword search or by browsing article categories. Recently published articles are highlighted on the index page. Other resources include member benefits, training information, and video. Its editorial guidelines, premium memberships, and endorsements are included.
https://ezinearticles.com/
Offering free Christian articles for magazines, e-zines, and newsletters, as well as for established Christian websites or blogs, its stipulations are stated here, along with writer benefits, author terms, and editorial policies. Published articles are sorted into several topical categories, and promotional information for writers, publishers, and others needing content are included. Articles may be browsed by category or found through a keyword search.
http://articles.faithwriters.com/
HubPages publishes articles from a large variety of authors on varied topics, sharing not only words but pictures and video, as well. Published articles are sorted into several subject categories. Its editorial policies, guidelines, tutorials, and suggestions for authors are included, such as ways to improve articles, getting traffic for published articles, and ways to make money from articles published on the site. Copyright information and advertising opportunities are included.
https://hubpages.com/
Publishing curated news, research, opinion, and discussion about stock trading from its own editorial team, as well as from thousands of individual and corporate contributors, Seeking Alpha seeks credible authors who will follow the site’s editorial principles, which are summarized, along with its policies on anonymous contributors, its premium partnership program, article payment policies, and article submission guidelines and author testimonials.
https://seekingalpha.com/
