Submit An URL, Advice on the various methods search engine submissions
Posted on | June 2, 2009 | No Comments
What is an URL?
URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator. It’s the standard way to give the address of any resource on the Internet that is part of the World Wide Web. Our URL, for example, looks like this: http://www.positioning-search-engine.com
Why Submit An URL?
In order to get your website registered for review and indexing by the search engines, you have to submit an URL for it to locate your website.
When To Submit An URL?
A website should submit an url only after it is completely ready. That means having your optimization completed and the site launched. Due to the overwhelming number of websites being created on a daily basis, it is taking longer and longer to get listed on the search engines: up to 6 to 8 weeks on some directories like the Open Directory Project.
Therefore, if you complete your URL submission before your website is completely ready, it may get listed incorrectly and sit way down in the listings even if you make your optimization changes the very next day. So submit only after a search engine optimization expert has finished their work on your site.
Having said that it does take a long time to get listed, one should note that it is still good to make regular content updates on your site. When the search engine spiders do visit your site, they like to see fresh content.
Okay, I’ve Optimized. Now What?
Now that you’ve optimized your web site, how do you make sure that your site reaches its target audience? No doubt, you can name the most important search engines and I would guess that you could name many of the smaller ones too. Which ones are important and how should you submit to them? Here’s a brief look:
Submit an URL to Google
Google is everyone’s favorite search engine, but how do you get your web site listed? Google has always preferred to find new websites by spidering existing sites in its index and following new links from there. If you want to increase your chances of seeing your website indexed, find some quality websites or directories to link to your new site now. You don’t need hundreds of links, but 3-5 quality links at this stage will encourage Google to index your site. Google typically updates its full index once a month, so do not panic if 4 weeks have gone by and there’s still no sign of being indexed. However, if after 6 weeks, you site is still not indexed, concentrate on adding more quality links and work on getting listed in the Open Directory.
Submit an URL to Yahoo
The best way to get listed in Yahoo was by paying the annual $299 fee to be listed in their directory. You might get listed in Yahoo search results as a result of a listing in another engine, however, a paid listing in the Yahoo directory has many hidden benefits and should be seriously considered.
Submit an URL to Teoma and Ask Jeeves
Teoma, while relatively new, is still an important search engine. It powers the main results on the popular Ask Jeeves web site. And while it has no free Add URL page, you can still get if proper link building procedures. Teoma is crawler based so good links may get you included naturally.
AOL
The AOL submit an URL process is, well… non-existent. AOL uses the results from other engines, so it’s important to get listed elsewhere if you wish to be shown in AOL.
Submit an URL to The Open Directory
The Open Directory is also referred to as ODP or DMOZ. It is a vast directory updated and maintained by thousands of volunteer editors. To get your website listed in the directory, simply submit the forms provided. There are standard instructions, and also some editors have their own quirky set of guidelines. DMOZ editors have been known for changing the descriptions submitted by web sites, so make sure yours is professionally written so that you reduce the chance of it being edited or it could be your keywords that are edited out. Remember, editors are unpaid at DMOZ, so don’t expect to see your website listed after just a few days. It could take weeks or even months.
Summary
While we haven’t delved into the realm of “Direct-Feeds” or Pay-Per-Click which would need articles of their own, the above information should help you submit an URL to the major search engines and directories. Some search engines offer free submission services and some others may index your site eventually if you have inbound links. Just remember that there is no substitute to a professionally optimized and submitted site. Contact us today for more information.
Resources to Help You Submit An URL
- The Search Engine Submissions Assistant
- 2400 Search Engines You Can Submit An URL To
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