Google Drops Relevant Links, Yahoo! and Open Project From Guidelines

A recent update by Google to its Webmaster Guidelines has the search engine optimization world abuzz.

In its update - which was spotted on Friday, Oct. 3 - Google removed two important recommendations from its guidelines:

• Have other relevant sites link to yours.
• Submit your site to relevant directories such as Open Directory Project, Yahoo! as well as to other industry-specific expert sites.

If all true, Google just about killed Directories.

However, before panic sets in, let's examine a few facts:

• Yahoo is the second largest search engine behind Google. This could be search engine drama.
• If you want to be in the Yahoo Directory (and fork over the $299), then go ahead. Google isn't going to penalize you for paying to be in Yahoo. Plus, Yahoo will love you.
• Google doesn't like paid links.
• Open Directory Project - also known as DMOZ - stinks. It's nearly impossible to earn a link in DMOZ as most of its pages is absent of an editor.
• Recently it was rumored Best of the Web is interested in purchasing DMOZ. Best of the Web is a paid directory.
• Did I mention Google doesn't like paid links?

Google's John Mueller said "I wouldn't necessary assume that we're devaluing Yahoo's links, I just think it's not one of the things we really need to recommend."

Get it? Google isn't going to tell you how to properly optimize your website.

Search Engine Watch Editor Brian E. Ussery says that while Google's Webmaster Guidelines suggestions for getting links from directories has been removed, "it does not say Google is not using directories in the algorithm, just they are not pitching for them."

Bottom line: You should be doing more - much more - than relying on directory links to improve your rankings in search engines.

I am sure there will be more on this in the upcoming days.