Google penalizing directory submissions?

[Kaiser]

Matt Cutts talks about the type of directory submissions that Google considers "paid links."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Pu1YWcIh04

[baldborn]

not so long ago matt cutts has been recommending directory submissions (maybe only to free directories) as one of the best link building methods. i do not have it from his very own mouth, i saw it somewhere at some forum, so please correct me if i am wrong.

[Kaiser]

not so long ago matt cutts has been recommending directory submissions (maybe only to free directories) as one of the best link building methods. i do not have it from his very own mouth, i saw it somewhere at some forum, so please correct me if i am wrong.

He is making the point that only high quality directories are useful. I take this to mean directories that have high editing standards, like DMOZ or Yahoo. Poor quality directories will take any submission (regardless of quality) for a fee or a link exchange. So, it sounds like the days of people submitting to 1000+ crappy free directories are finally numbered.

[my_misyel]

Considered as rumors, but still its important.

[mrandrei]

It boils down to the quality of directories where you submit your site. For as long as you don't link to bad neighborhood, you'll be fine. Google abhors link farms.