What is the difference between directory and search engine?

[anneroberts]

Search engines and directories are both tools people use to find information on the Web. The difference is in how they get and organize their information.

Search engines use little programs called spiders or bots that scour the Internet, follow links, and bring back this information to the search engine’s index. When you use Google you’re not actually searching the Web, you’re searching Google’s index of the Web. Search engines use complex algorithms to determine which Web pages are most likely to answer the questions you pose and return these pages on the search engine results pages (SERPs.)

Directories, by contrast, are human-powered. Site owners submit their sites to directories (sometimes for a fee, sometimes free) and human editors determine the value of the site and whether it should be included in the directory. Directory visitors can search the director or drill down to the appropriate category, i.e., Arts & Humanities > Museums, Galleries & Centers > Modern & Contemporary.

[Allasted30]

Those guys are very slow, I even tried to become an editor but haven't heard anything yet.

[freehindibooks]

Directories have fixed URL and some limitations while search engine database. Trending Hindi News

[Poch1979]

It also helps if dmoz is working correctly.

[Thied1929]

thanks for the sharing instant approval directories list. I will submit there and hope your list will help to improve my website ranking.

[Whad1935]

I am watching this thread from a long back and learn every post of it. Great forum helped me to gain a lot of knowledge. Thanks for sharing your view on the topic.

[Themn1987]

I've just found this site and I am really pleased with the information here.
Thanks

[Scuman64]

Hi there guys! Thanks for all these links! It is very helpful to those who are looking for some good resources.

[Scier1987]

I agree. Backlinks can still help promote your site. Just choose directories with high PR and that they allow a "do follow" link. And avoid link farms.