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If you’re looking for  great ranking on Google you need to be serious about linking. Of course there are lots of ways to get links so we’ll focus on just the methods that are fast, low cost or free and get the best results. Here are three that can put you on top of Google in no time.

First let’s start with getting inbound links from directories. A link from a directory gets a lot of weight from Google because they value it as a form of endorsement. You’ve probably used some directories yourself, like Yahoo. Or maybe you’ve used some without even knowing it, like The Open Directory Project (DMOZ.org) that powers many of the most popular search engines, including Google!

Each directory is different and offers different options for obtaining links to your site. Here’s a rundown of how different directories will link to your site…

1.) Free Submission: Just like it sounds. No charges for inclusion. DMOZ.org is the best one and powers Google, AOL and even Yahoo Search (not Yahoo directory.) Just be sure to follow their submission guidelines and pick the most appropriate sub category possible for inclusion. This is extremely important.

2.) Paid Submissions: They charge a fee to review the submitted link and possibly place the page. You might pay a few dollars one tíme, a recurring annual fee or as much as the $300 that Yahoo charges for commercial site review.

3.) Reciprocal Link: These usually require you to link to the directory before they will even consider linking back.

4.) Featured Link: Your link gets a premium spot that you pay for.

5.) Featured Homepage Link: This is a featured link on the homepage. As you’ve probably guessed, this can get real expensive.

Yahoo is easily the most popular (and most expensive) but it’s not the best. It’s been my experience that a free listing with DMOZ.org is worth more than a paid listing with Yahoo. Even though Yahoo is more popular as a directory that people actually visit, DMOZ is much more popular with search engines and carries a lot of weight. A “vote” from DMOZ is a big deal indeed.

Here are the five top directories offering free listings. Some even provide inexpensive expedited listing services or featured listings:

1.) dmoz.com
2.) directoryvault.com
3.) domaining.in
4.) getlistedrightnow.com
5.) visitalink.com
There’s a site that keeps an updated list of directories, but not all are free. You have to visit each to see if there is any cost. Select your desired Google PR and search. If you want to avoid getting niche directories in the results, check the “General Directories Only” box after your first return set and rerun the search.

As a second option, you can also consider paying a submission service to get your site lísted in the major directories. There are plenty that will do it for a reasonable fee. Just be sure they do the following three things:

1.) Manual submission only.
2.) Verify that your site is not already listed. .
Just search Google for “directory submission service” and you’ll get plenty of options.  “slow submission” service that makes your link building appear more natural to Google and other top search engines.