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Which are best directories for local SEO boost?







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from April 2017

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last updated –
posted 2026-Jul-3, 3:49 pm AEST



posted 2026-Jul-3, 3:49 pm AEST










User #1421017457posts

what's up skip

Whirlpool Forums Addict





reference: whrl.pl/ReRY2V

posted 2017-Apr-27, 9:36 am AEST

edited 2017-Apr-27, 10:44 am AEST



ref: whrl.pl/ReRY2V

posted 2017-Apr-27, 9:36 am AEST (edited 2017-Apr-27, 10:44 am AEST)





O.P.

I am just wondering what others have found to be the best business directories to help boost local seo. I found a list of a suggested top 20 (https://www.seocopilot.com.au/blog/australian-business-directories-local-seo/) and while I agree with many, there are some I don't agree with. Then some other directories don't even seem to work, have a submission page or charge for a basic listing.

Suggested Top 20 from SEO Co Pilot
yellowpages.com.au
truelocal.com.au
yelp.com.au
hotfrog.com.au
startlocal.com.au
womo.com.au
aussieweb.com.au
dlook.com.au
localstore.com.au
localbusinessguide.com.au
yalwa.com.au
localbd.com.au
superpages.com.au
businesslistings.net.au
comeonaussie.com
local.com.au
yellowbook.com.au
raveaboutit.com.au
shopseek.com.au
companylist.com.au
The following have issues:
superpages.com.au – Quotes 5 -6 months for free listing.
comeonaussie.com – Charge $5 for a listing
yalwa.com.au – Charge $4.95 pm (later offer $2.95 pm)
local.com.au – Don't seem to have a submission page anymore
raveaboutit.com.au – Has been down for over a week
shopseek.com.au – Has been down for over a week
companylist.com.au – No longer a business directory
That brings the list down to 16. I am not sure if "comeonaussie" is worth the $5 and Yalwa $2.95 per month. It is not as though they the traffic and probably the link value of the many above it.

There are also some regional directories that are worth submitting to. I know two good ones for the Gold Coast:
goldcoastdirectory.com
goldcoastonlinedirectory.com.au
What have others found?









User #3671045215posts

Friy

Whirlpool Forums Addict





reference: whrl.pl/ReR45L

posted 2017-Apr-29, 4:43 pm AEST



ref: whrl.pl/ReR45L

posted 2017-Apr-29, 4:43 pm AEST





HiPages
ServiceSeeking
OneFlare
Certegy Ezi-Pay

All are charged I think for quoting but have a directory listing component.













User #1421017457posts

what's up skip

Whirlpool Forums Addict





reference: whrl.pl/ReR6y1

posted 2017-Apr-30, 12:38 pm AEST



ref: whrl.pl/ReR6y1

posted 2017-Apr-30, 12:38 pm AEST





O.P.

Friy writes...

HiPages
ServiceSeeking
OneFlare

Yes, these are only going to be applicable for some service (typically trade) type businesses.

The same goes for Gumtree. Many businesses wouldn't want to be associated with that market.









User #1421017457posts

what's up skip

Whirlpool Forums Addict





reference: whrl.pl/ReTwG4

posted 2017-May-10, 9:56 am AEST



ref: whrl.pl/ReTwG4

posted 2017-May-10, 9:56 am AEST





O.P.

I put together a detailed article on this after doing some more research and testing more business directories.
https://www.mitechsupport.com.au/best-business-directories-australian-local-search/









User #6801414171posts

Sheez

Whirlpool Forums Addict





reference: whrl.pl/ReTwMN

posted 2017-May-10, 10:30 am AEST



ref: whrl.pl/ReTwMN

posted 2017-May-10, 10:30 am AEST





I'm not convinced that many of the directories will have much of an impact, have you seen any positive results from them?

Most of them will use nofollow and half of them usually use redirects.

If anything you might get a bit of confidence/validation by putting in the effort.

I'm also not sure who is actually using those directories! Some people use YellowPages, but even TrueLocal, I don't know of anyone who has used that. (Some people must be though since they are willing to promote it with radio advertising).









User #1421017457posts

what's up skip

Whirlpool Forums Addict





reference: whrl.pl/ReTwQF

posted 2017-May-10, 10:52 am AEST



ref: whrl.pl/ReTwQF

posted 2017-May-10, 10:52 am AEST





O.P.

Sheez writes...

If anything you might get a bit of confidence/validation by putting in the effort.

This is the primary objective. It is about building the NAP (name address phone) profile. For this Google doesn't even need to have links to your site.

I'm not convinced that many of the directories will have much of an impact, have you seen any positive results from them?

If you mean in terms of traffic, then this is only likely if you are paying for advertising in the directories. Otherwise you will rank along way down the page/listings.

Most of them will use nofollow and half of them usually use redirects.

Most of these directories have shown up in the "in bound links" in Google Search Console. Some faster than others, but then again some take a fair time to list you on their site.

Remember, this is only a small component in local search. It is about building a bit of NAP credibility, which is particularly important for new businesses.









User #6801414171posts

Sheez

Whirlpool Forums Addict





reference: whrl.pl/ReTwVz

posted 2017-May-10, 11:08 am AEST



ref: whrl.pl/ReTwVz

posted 2017-May-10, 11:08 am AEST





what's up skip writes...

Remember, this is only a small component in local search. It is about building a bit of NAP credibility, which is particularly important for new businesses.

Yeah I don't disagree, but I do think it is a pretty low priority and something you shouldn't spend too much time/effort on. Most businesses I've worked with do almost no directory listings yet have no trouble ranking well even for local and suburb based search.

I think the most important thing is getting the big ones, make sure you are in Google Business, Bing Places, Yellow Pages, White Pages and True Local (plus some others like Yelp, WOMO for certain businesses). After that, all of the pretty trashy insignificant directories will see severely diminished returns on your time which would be better spent elsewhere (doing proper listings in some of those directories is actually quite time consuming).









User #1421017457posts

what's up skip

Whirlpool Forums Addict





reference: whrl.pl/ReTxdP

posted 2017-May-10, 12:49 pm AEST



ref: whrl.pl/ReTxdP

posted 2017-May-10, 12:49 pm AEST





O.P.

Sheez writes...

I think the most important thing is getting the big ones, make sure you are in Google Business, Bing Places, Yellow Pages, White Pages and True Local

Agreed. After that is normally only going to be important for new businesses or those in very competitive local search market.

I don't really consider Google Business to be a directory as it partly social media, but I suppose so is Yelp.









User #6801414171posts

Sheez

Whirlpool Forums Addict





reference: whrl.pl/ReTxqJ

posted 2017-May-10, 1:57 pm AEST



ref: whrl.pl/ReTxqJ

posted 2017-May-10, 1:57 pm AEST





what's up skip writes...

I don't really consider Google Business to be a directory as it partly social media, but I suppose so is Yelp.

Yeah some of them do blur the lines and fit into multiple categories, even LinkedIn really.









User #759606533posts

John.Romaine

Whirlpool Enthusiast





reference: whrl.pl/ReTBhn

posted 2017-May-11, 10:03 pm AEST



ref: whrl.pl/ReTBhn

posted 2017-May-11, 10:03 pm AEST





Sheez writes...

I'm not convinced that many of the directories will have much of an impact, have you seen any positive results from them?

I often talk about what I call an "SEO assist", whereby someone might search for something in Google, hit Yellow Pages in the search results, then follow a link that points them to a product or service located on a 3rd party website.

This happens a lot in the trades space.

Also, if you really know what you're doing, you can leverage directories to "shape" link profiles (anchor text variations) that will push you up in the search results.

At the end of the day though, you're best of probably just using them for their intended purpose.

Lastly, I always recommend business owners keep a spreadsheet or something of all their profiles, and account information for future reference once they've completed the submissions.

Ive lost count at just how many times Ive worked with business owners who have listings everywhere, they're all wrong, and they have absolutely NFI what their logins are.









User #6801414171posts

Sheez

Whirlpool Forums Addict





reference: whrl.pl/ReTBjJ

posted 2017-May-11, 10:24 pm AEST



ref: whrl.pl/ReTBjJ

posted 2017-May-11, 10:24 pm AEST





John.Romaine writes...

hit Yellow Pages in the search results,

Yeah I agree with this for the main directories, but not lots of the small ones.

Also, if you really know what you're doing, you can leverage directories to "shape" link profiles (anchor text variations) that will push you up in the search results.

This isn't really possible for most of the directories since they they use nofollow links though is it?

and they have absolutely NFI what their logins are.

So true!









User #759606533posts

John.Romaine

Whirlpool Enthusiast





reference: whrl.pl/ReTFzX

posted 2017-May-13, 9:00 pm AEST



ref: whrl.pl/ReTFzX

posted 2017-May-13, 9:00 pm AEST





Sheez writes...

This isn't really possible for most of the directories since they they use nofollow links though is it?

There are plenty of directories that use dofollow links.









User #1421017457posts

what's up skip

Whirlpool Forums Addict





reference: whrl.pl/ReVnjO

posted 2017-May-31, 12:21 pm AEST



ref: whrl.pl/ReVnjO

posted 2017-May-31, 12:21 pm AEST





O.P.

John.Romaine writes...

There are plenty of directories that use dofollow links.

This isn't critical as Google will still make the connection and use the directory as a reference for NAP and profile building.

Indeed there doesn't need to be a link at all, but it does help.









User #1421017457posts

what's up skip

Whirlpool Forums Addict





reference: whrl.pl/ReVnj7

posted 2017-May-31, 12:23 pm AEST



ref: whrl.pl/ReVnj7

posted 2017-May-31, 12:23 pm AEST





O.P.

John.Romaine writes...

Also, if you really know what you're doing, you can leverage directories to "shape" link profiles (anchor text variations) that will push you up in the search results.

Great care needs to be taken with this or you might end up degrading the NAP profile building. Also many of the more important directories require you to use the actual business name.









User #261661105posts

Segaiku

Forum Regular





reference: whrl.pl/ReVt6K

posted 2017-Jun-2, 2:18 pm AEST



ref: whrl.pl/ReVt6K

posted 2017-Jun-2, 2:18 pm AEST





Just riding along on the basis of this thread – I've started a local business and am trying to list on all these local listing websites for SEO and exposure reasons. Is there any chance that by listing on all of these that it will be DETRIMENTAL to my SEO rankings?

Thanks













User #759606533posts

John.Romaine

Whirlpool Enthusiast





reference: whrl.pl/ReVvMC

posted 2017-Jun-2, 6:59 pm AEST



ref: whrl.pl/ReVvMC

posted 2017-Jun-2, 6:59 pm AEST





Here's what I do know with certainty about directories.

In terms of an "SEO Boost", forget it.

You could literally submit to 5,000 directories and you'll find the impact minimal.

HOWEVER.

List using a particular ADDRESS, and you can rank well for that address/location.

This is happening right now, with many service people hiring out virtual offices, getting the card delivered to that office, then listing as that being their "business address", when infact they're nowhere near that location at all.

In most cases, they're doing this in the CBD, because that's where the search volume is.









User #75796243posts

JohnAimit

Participant





reference: whrl.pl/ReVvN7

posted 2017-Jun-2, 7:10 pm AEST



ref: whrl.pl/ReVvN7

posted 2017-Jun-2, 7:10 pm AEST





I question the value of chasing a bunch of directory links. Here's why..

The first issue with any directory is, does it give you a link back to your site and is it a "follow" or "nofollow" link. "Nofollow" links cannot help with your search ranking at all.

The next would be, how completely are its pages indexed by Google. If the pages that contain the link can't be or are not indexed, they can't help your ranking.

Third would be, is there PageRank (link value) to be passed back to your site.

I only randomly checked a few of the directories listed above. Here is what I found:

1. No Links to Websites
Startlocal.com.au
Wordofmouth.com.au
Truelocal.com.au

A number of directories have been republished to position themselves as "review" websites and no longer offer links back to the businesses' websites. The Directory list seems to be out of date from this aspect.

2. Pages Not Indexed:
aussieweb.com.au/search?q=plumbers&l=sydney
aussieweb.com.au/business/active+plumbing%2c+auburn/3164014

It seems G is getting very, very picky about indexing the many "me-too" general business directories' pages. So much of their content is near duplicate content.

3. What PageRank Value?
This is how G passes "link juice" between pages. The incoming link value get divided by the numbers of pages linked from the page, a little Rank value is decayed and the resultant PageRank is passed through to the linked pages.

This is why so many general business directories have little to offer for link building.

Example:
yellowpages.com.au
Pages indexed by G. = 14 million
Incoming dofollow links to Home = 4 million

Yellowpages Plumbers Sydney page
www.yellowpages.com.au/find/plumbers-gas-fitters/sydney-cbd-nsw

Plumbers Listed on Page = 55
Incoming dofollow links to this page = 0

By the time you get down to the individual plumber's listings it looks like there is no PageRank value to pass back to the lister's websites.

4. What to Do with Directories?
Claim and set up your Google My Business directory page.

Next in importance in my book is not external links for SEO purposes but consistent NAP (name, address, phone) citations back to Google.

So many searches, particularly on mobiles have a location intent. G knows that folk have always tried to scam it on location searches. I believe G is placing much more weight on receiving consistent location signals from major sources these days.

Google's My Business is #1 for NAP credibility because G checks your address before you can open an account.
Yellow Pages should have high credibility because of its known and long association with Google and its G. maps.
I'd expect Facebook to have a high credibility

Then it likely quickly goes down hill from there.

A trouble with chasing lots of directories is that you need to keep track so you can change phone numbers and addresses, if needed. You do NOT want an inconsistent NAP profile.

From a very limited number (2-3) of general business directories I'd rather explore industry specific vertical directories. They may have an advantage of generating links from search topic related pages.

I would not bother seeking links from many general business directories. IMHO, they are a waste of time for ranking purposes and a potential pain for tracking your NAP profile.









User #759606533posts

John.Romaine

Whirlpool Enthusiast





reference: whrl.pl/ReVvQI

posted 2017-Jun-2, 7:28 pm AEST



ref: whrl.pl/ReVvQI

posted 2017-Jun-2, 7:28 pm AEST





John the fact that you're talking about "page rank" demonstrates to me that you've missed the boat completely.

Google is smart enough to know that they can collect "location specific" data trends (collectively across multiple sites) in order to best determine where you most likely are and rank you strongly for that particular region/suburb/area.

Go look at any site that posts up their address across dozens of sites, then look at their contact page (again their address) – and I can almost guarantee you they're first page for that suburb in Google.

Chances are they're listed in the map too.

By the way, are you John W from Flying Solo??









User #75796243posts

JohnAimit

Participant





reference: whrl.pl/ReVwe2

posted 2017-Jun-2, 10:10 pm AEST



ref: whrl.pl/ReVwe2

posted 2017-Jun-2, 10:10 pm AEST





I don't think we are far apart on the issue of consistent NAP listings.

Then everything falls apart.

I don't see any relationship with multiple general business directories and search rankings at all. As I explained above, why would you when most have nothing of value.

You want some examples, try a search for: plumbers Sydney

This search has a long history of SEOs targeting it.

Now go check out the pages that rank top for a search of the top ranked business names.

Example 1:
Search for: LPZ Plumbing Services
This is #1 in the SERPs for "plumbers Sydney".

You get in the top rankings:

The businesses' website – No address listed
Another domain the business has registered
True local – Address in Castle Hill
White Pages – Address in Wetherill Park
A bunch of review sites that don't list addresses
LinkedIn – Address in Wetherill Park
2 pages from the site designers/marketers

On to page 2 of results:
3 different verticals
A gov bus listing page
Yelp – Address in Greystanes
YouTube
1 general bus directory
Localstores

Example 2:
Search for: Plumbers to the Rescue

This is #2 in the SERPs for "plumbers Sydney".

This site offers no on-site address but its My Business page lists Kent St, Sydney.

In the top SERPs you get:
…(内容过长已截断)

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