A web directory is a platform that organizes websites based on different categories and subcategories. This organization helps users find relevant websites quickly and easily, without having to sift through pages of search results. Web directories are usually created by humans who manually curate and organize the websites listed on the directory, making them different from search engines, which use algorithms to rank and display search results.
Some examples of web directories include DMOZ, Yahoo! Directory, and Best of the Web. DMOZ (Directory Mozilla) was one of the largest and most popular web directories before it was shut down in 2017. Yahoo! Directory is another well-known web directory that was also closed in 2014. Best of the Web is a premium web directory that charges a fee for listing websites.
A web directory is also known as a link directory or online directory. These terms are often used interchangeably, and all refer to a platform that lists and categorizes websites.
Google, on the other hand, is not considered a web directory. While Google does offer a directory-like service called Google Directory, it was shut down in 2011. Google's main function is as a search engine that indexes web pages and presents them in order of relevance based on their algorithms.
It's important to note that a web directory is not the same as a search engine. While search engines like Google and Bing use complex algorithms to crawl and rank web pages based on different factors, web directories are compiled and organized by humans. In a web directory, websites are listed in specific categories, making it easier for users to find relevant sites in their areas of interest. Web directories are particularly useful for niche industries, as they can be a valuable source of information for those looking for specialized products or services.
A web directory is a platform that organizes websites into different categories and subcategories, making it easier for users to find relevant sites quickly and easily. They are not the same as search engines, which use algorithms to rank and display search results. Some examples of web directories include DMOZ, Yahoo! Directory, and Best of the Web, and a web directory can also be referred to as a link directory or online directory.