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Yes, using local paid directories in 2022 can risk a penalty if not done properly. Search engines like Google have strict guidelines against manipulative practices, and listings in low-quality directories can be seen as an attempt to manipulate rankings. This can lead to penalties that harm your site’s visibility. It's important to focus on high-quality, reputable directories and ensure transparency and compliance with search engine rules. Always do legit task on Google.

In 2022, the risk of a penalty from local paid directories primarily depends on how these directories operate and their alignment with search engine guidelines. If the directories follow best practices, provide genuine value, and avoid manipulative tactics like spammy backlinks, the risk is minimal. However, using directories that engage in questionable SEO practices can lead to penalties from search engines like Google. As I was submitting directories. Initially. I got rejected by many platforms but when I started submitting proper detailed oriented data. I got success. To minimize risk, ensure that any local paid directories you use are reputable, provide real value to users, and adhere to search engine guidelines. Regularly monitor your site's SEO health to catch and address any potential issues early.

Using local paid directories may result in penalties, depending on the directory's activities and adherence to search engine criteria. To avoid potential penalties, such directories must be thoroughly assessed for reliability and legality.
Here is a list that I use which you may find useful:
https://www.iloveaussie.com/
https://shoutinaustralia.com/
https://dayinaustralia.com/
https://aussieplace
https://lookoutaustralia.com/
https://australiadayout.com/

I have using directories platform for last 5 years. It works well and good source of referral traffic. I have a question why we can't cover adult, casion. gambling, cbd companies on directory platforms.

For example - I had tried to list a one company Sell Feet Pic. Basically this site cover money making ideas. Shutterstock, Freepik, Unsplash are offering the same service for users. Then why this site was rejected by platforms?

@Scottlinklater Web design services and SEO [Webdesign services and SEO/(https://www.webduhsign.com)

Hi , i am a seo Specialist for many years now. I really think that people are sometimes so scared about penalty from Google. meanwhile everyone is busy getting backlinks . It doesn't matter whether you buy them or trade them. I would say read the manual what google has to say about this
Google literally says writes that you have to write good content and if you do your best, someone will automatically link to you. I finished reading very quickly. While every Seo Specialist just knows that you just have to link to reach your position .I would say keep it tidy and take a good Seo Specialist who knows what he is doing and knows where to get his links. You can always ask me if you want .
With kind regards Anthony

I just want to make sure everyone in here is careful and understands Google's policies on paid advertising linking back through an advertisement to your site. That's a direct Google webmaster violation.

If it's a paid ad any directory that shows as an ad but does not show as a sponsored link you can be penalized for that. Now if the entire directory requires you to pay to have a link back to your site that is a paid back link and is also a Google webmaster violation.

Generally the best place to get backlinks is going to be from natural spreading of quality content around your niche.

Here's a copy of an article I recently published in the last few days for our solar installers client Florida solar East.

[https://myfloridasolar.com/batteries/how-long-will-a-100ah-battery-run-a-tv-2065/]

I like to put a personal spin on my content and I really appreciate it if anyone could actually check out that article and give me some pointers because I'm not sure if I'm in the right direction of humor with some of my jokes.

I really appreciate it

As long as you use unique titles and descriptions, the chances of a penalty are greatly reduced. Also, try submitting to directories that don't get a lot of submissions regularly. Here is a list that I use which you may find useful:

https://www.directory.express/
http://www.kizex.com/
https://www.ayroo.com/
http://www.rowma.com/
http://www.wayry.com/
https://www.linkvertex.com/
https://www.ultimatedir.com/

Again, make sure you always use unique titles and descriptions as much as possible. And if you are trying to rank for a certain phrase, spin it with different words.

For example, if you wanted to rank for "Directory List", you would use titles like: "Best Directory List", "General Directory List", and so on.

@scottlinklater said in Do You Risk A Penalty From Local Paid Directories in 2022?:

@miriamellis

An interesting question @scottlinklater, and an even more interesting response @miriamellis.

I know a bit about those directories. Yes, they are paid advertising, much in the same way as all the 'free' directories out there. The difference is that advertisers are not relegated to all but invisible listings below 'premium' advertisers. It's all very well adding your business to these free directories, but they are not subject relevant and pretty much only provide a non-relevant backlink.
The intention with these sites is to provide industry specific directories so that the exposure the advertiser gets is far more valuable, and directly relevant to what people are searching for. It's not just about a 'backlink'.
Furthermore, it's designed to be local, hence the geo-sensitivity. All this is intended to help the small businesses out there that do not have huge marketing budgets but want to have access to potential business from online customers.

I understand your concerns, and I am happy to address them directly if given the opportunity. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions.

It depends on directories, some directories perform very well like clutch.co and goodfirm.com, my website www.seodiscovery.com gets good leads and traffic from this directory, and same lot of others help to drive the traffic.

@scottlinklater if we make with best directoires which are high authority and good, that help lot.

Hi,

It almost surely won't trigger any penalty (maybe if you did hundreds of links from directories, but one link in a directory is perfectly fine).

The issue is that Google probably doesn't take into account that type of links, so it would be a waste of money. But in any case, it won't have a negative impact. It is standard procedure for many websites to appear in many directories, and if that triggered a penalty, half of Internet's websites would be penalized.

So no penalties, but waste of money probably. Hope that helps!

Paid link building is not worth it. I agree with the guy who suggested that the advertiser used the word "off Google" rather than "on Google". Also, there is no way anyone can guarantee to get you on the first page of Google. There is a lot that goes into reaching the top page - Backlinks, superb SEO, age of the domain and so much more. Good luck to your client.

@scottlinklater So great you were able to share. So, my advice after reviewing this would be no, do not pay for this. It is totally fine to pay for advertising, so long as it is disclosed as paid advertising. If it's not disclosed, that is where you would have concern like those you mentioned in your original post.

While I am unfamiliar with this directory (I don't know very much about SEO in Australia) there are a few things about the site that are causing me a bit of concern. Among them is this language:

"Guaranteed Exposure Directly Off Google Page 1"

I'm assuming they mean "on" Google Page 1 and I am not sure how any company can guarantee search engine rankings of their pages, since none of us control Google.

There are other signals that are concerning that I won't go into, but at the end of the day, I would recommend building out your listings on free directories that area relevant to your customer base and saving your ad budget for disclosed advertising.

@scottlinklater Hi Scott, are you able to share the identity of the directory so our community can give opinions? Without that information, it's a bit of a guess.