Zorg Links! Bid Your Site To The Top
You want exposure. You want backlinks. What can you, as a budding Internet entrepreneur, do? Maybe it’s time to set up some linkbait. Maybe you need to run a hot contest. Maybe you should order a ReviewMe review or purchase some text links. Or maybe, just maybe, you could bid your way to the top by getting listed on Mike Lovatt’s Zorg Links.
The Paid Web Directory
There are many free web directories on the web that you can use to get some free linkbacks to your site, but if you’re looking for added exposure and a greater audience, these may not exactly be the most effective. With Zorg Links, everyone has to pay in order to get themselves listed on the site. There’s no set rate, so what this means is that you have to outbid your competitors. At the time that I wrote this review, the top site has a bid of $380, getting featured on the front page as well as on the site-wide sidebar.
These bids are not time-restricted. By this I mean that if you fork out $381 to oust the current top dog, you get that linkback for the life of the site. It’s permanent and will not ever be removed… that is, until someone else puts in a bid for $382.
Zorg Links ranks high in Google for key terms like “bidding directory” and “bidding web directory”. The site has a good custom design which got voted the best of its kind in a recent poll on Digital Point forums. The site features many custom mods and additional content like free themes and a blog to make it more unique, provide additional resources for visitors.
A Directory of Directories?
In the sidebar, you’ll notice that all submitted listings have been placed in different categories. They’ve got categories for everything from Advertisement to Webmaster Tools and everything in between. Some categories are more popular than others and nowhere is this more evident than the categories for paid directories. Of the about 150 (or so) sites listed, 52 are in Directories [Bidding] and 40 are in Directories [Paid].
As a matter of fact, when you check out the front page of this bidding web directory, all fifteen of the top links are other web directories. Am I the only one who finds this terribly ironic?
Capitalize on the Cheap
While getting listed near the top in the directories categories can get pretty expensive, such is not the case with many of the other categories. The competition just isn’t there, so if you’re looking for a web directory with some prime real estate for your pets or shopping related site, you can pull it off with Zorg Links for less than $10. For Webmaster Tools, there is currently just a single link for a buck. And that’s a lifetime link. I’m sure we’ve got some webmasters out there that can afford to bid $2 for a link.
More Than a Linkback
In addition to getting a linkback from a PR5 site (the developers predict a PR6 with the next update, when and if that ever comes), each submitted link — you can buy one here — gets its own dedicated page on the site, which has custom META keywords and description, and SEO friendly URLs to help them rank high in the search engines. On this page, you see an Alexa graph and information regarding the number of backlinks, pages indexed, and the site’s PageRank. Below this is a series of buttons for you to submit/save that site (not its page on Zorg Links) to a range of social bookmarking services like Digg, Del.icio.us, Furl, and StumbleUpon.
Will You Really Get More Traffic?
I’m not sure. I’m no expert on the effectiveness of using a web directory to promote your site. Depending on your site’s content, there are probably cheaper ways to get some quality linkbacks too. Order up some paid posts on PayPerPost or ReviewMe, for example. Hold a contest wherein people have to link back to your site using a specific anchor text (”make money online” anyone?).
That said, because of the categorization and the bidding system, Zorg Links might be able to provide you with targeted traffic referrals, specifically from webmasters in the same or similar niche as you. If the bids haven’t gone too high, then this could be an inexpensive source of traffic.
UPDATE: Between the time that I started writing the review to the time that I put it up on the blog, several new submissions have come into Zorg Links, bumping the top link leader to $1,460. Mike Lovatt may have a winner on his hands.
- Posted in Reviews, The Net
- 141 comments what's your take?
first to comment!
Reply to this commentGood Job!
Reply to this commentWhat do others gain out of making such stupid statements such as “first to comment!”??? Comment what wise guy? Just because it gives you some traffic doesn’t mean you should act so stupid! Took me sometime to find this, but I think it may be well worth it for the general public: http://www.problogger.net/archives/2007/08/29/10-ways-to-hurt-your-blogs-brand-by-commenting-on-other-blogs/
Reply to this commentI have to agree with your statement this time Enough. People may click on your site because it’s the first comment, but they won’t become regular readers or visitors.
If you take the time to post something userful, that actually adds to the discussion, then people might drop by and see what you have to say!
Reply to this commentAgreed. And the “OMG first comment LOLZ!!!11″ Wow.
Reply to this commentVery good point. Problogger has a lot of great articles similar to this one as well. It would do well for some to read them along with reading John’s blog.
Stupid is as Stupid does!
Reply to this commentControvery = Hits
Reply to this commentI’m well aware of that. What controversy does your comment stir up?
Reply to this commentOMG man you’re dead right that was the stupidest thing I read today. “first to comment!” lol. How many visitors do you think he got for a stupid comment like that?
Reply to this commentFourth to comment! Yay - LOL
Reply to this commentGreat!
Reply to this commentCompliments, wonder how much it will cost to bid on that directory for the 4th place in Web Hosting category (just trying to get in topic).
Reply to this commentMichael, or maybe people on this blog - in the review you stated you can get a bunch of free linkbacks. HOW!?
Where are these sites?
Reply to this commentAll those sites are on the net, actually you are on one of them now. The thing is that you have to give something to get something.
Reply to this commentForums and blogs are a great source for linkbacks.
Reply to this commentCongrats to Mike on the success of his directory.
I’ve just started a bidding directory myself (with a free $25 credit for the first 20 links to reach $5) and his directory is a great example of what can be achieved.
Reply to this commentNice comment and simultaneous plug!
Reply to this commentI didn’t even read the post, I just looked at the picture and commented.
How do you like them apples
Reply to this commentGreat site you got going there, you’ve still got a long way to go though, the competition is tough. But if you work hard and don’t give up you can be as successful as any of those huge bidding directories out there.
Reply to this commentThere are so many free ways to acquire links and many free directories out there. Why would anyone pay? Do people actually visit these directories?
Reply to this comment- Raymond
By the looks of the very minimal link contribution to these directories, I’d say no. I guess it does help for back links as far as Google is concerned though.
Reply to this commentYeah you’re right I think it helps for a few link backs but that’s about it. While some people may pay - I think only a few will actually pay anything substantial for this but it’ll be interesting to see what happens as a result of this review.
Reply to this commentThis review talked all about the up sides to this but what are the negatives, what are the pitfalls to using a paid directory. That’s the information I’m really interested in?
This review sounds more like an ad or plug then a review. What’s up with that?
Reply to this commentThe same as to every directory that is open to more niches. The traffic is not something i would expect from a directory (with exception of some directories, but i can’t tell if this directory is a exception).
The other negative thing is that you may easily lose money on bidding. If anything else comes up in your mind, follow the list of the negative aspects bellow
Reply to this commentOne of the things that might be very bad in the future is if google starts penalizing people for backlinks coming from link farm domains, I thing google already does this for FFA sites and directories might be the next one.
Reply to this commentusually u get what u pay for..free links is usually new
Reply to this commentThe top bidder on zrog-links, like most bid directories, also gets a site wide link rather than just a single link.
Reply to this commentYeah, but $1400 will buy a LOT of sitewide links…
Reply to this commentprobably those are fake links or mark up a highest price.
Reply to this commentI assure you. Thos bids are definately not fake and neither are the links. I own Beacon-Directory. And I bid for the position I have. I have also bid on several large sites. I promise. Those bids aren’t fake.
Reply to this commenti don’t think google like link buying/selling that’s why now pr is delaying
Reply to this commentI think you’re right. It may even damaging your PR with this kind of tricks
Reply to this commentThe funny thing is that the link will not be permanent or lifetime..it will last as long as someone else outbids. Hah, not a way i would like to spend my $$ I would rather pay that amount and get listed in Yahoo Directory or get listed in many other directories for that price.
Reply to this commentTrue that!
What I’d like to know, is if you’ve bid $100 and someone else bids $101, do you have to pay another $102 dollars to get ahead of them, or just $1 more because you already paid $100?
If you have to pay another $102, then it’s this is the dumbest directory I’ve ever heard of for consumers (but way to go for the guy who made it, he’s laughing all the way to the bank…well he probably is anyway
Reply to this commentThats a nice point. I did not thought about that either. This is a old practice on web hosting review sites and directories but never took part of it, but they have like a auction end time and it is stated for which month you will remain first. While this directory does not have a end time so the auction goes on and on and the question about paying +$1 or +$102 is something serious to take and clear before even one starts bidding.
Reply to this commentSounds like they get paid to watch the consumer pay to play leapfrog. Sounds like another scam job.
Reply to this commentNo , your money total is always there. You just bid up and add onto it. So if you have previously bid $100 and want to up your position, you can pay $2 and now your bid is $102. It is a running total.
Reply to this commentNo of someone outbids you you only add to the total money you paid.
If you payed $100 and someone pays $101, then all you have to do is pay another $2 and you’re back at the top.
Reply to this commentMaybe try submitting to 1000 directories yourself? Let see how boring the job can be and how long it will take (First hand experience from someone who has patience).
Reply to this commentHeHe I just made a deal with a guy
Paid $5 for a 500+ directory submitions. Let’s see what good it does 
Reply to this commentYikes… better be careful… He probably just charged you to enter you into 500 free link farms… What good is that going to do you? No quality, super spammy, allow anyone to submit, no review of the website. I don’t see what value that is.
Reply to this commentI was wondering this too.. Although it may be good for Mike, I doubt much sites will make a huge benefit. … maybe….
Reply to this commentWhy do I never think of these things?
Reply to this commentSounds interesting!
Reply to this commentThe big winners are the ones who actually came up with the directories.
Would John Chow bid on it?
Reply to this commentHe probably doesn’t need to - he’ll probably get a free listing as a result of this review!
Reply to this commentlol Yeah, I would expect so. Regardless I am sure the cost of the review is much more than a cost of a link:)
Reply to this commentdoubt it
Reply to this commentThey can really make serious money.
Reply to this commentIt’s an interesting concept but it make it survival of the richest blogger, not the most valuable. That is a downfall for users trying to find quality content.
Reply to this commentSo true.
Reply to this commentI tend to find that directories can be a hit or miss kind of thing! Some of my earliest traffic was from random forums and web directories :d Cheers
Reply to this commentCan’t beat it at $2 for a link. Sounds all good to me!
Reply to this comment“Minimum bid amount is $20 for new listings”
Reply to this commentI guess that is new
Yeah, it is not the cheapest but I don’t think Mike wants to be the cheapest bidding directory, he wants to be the best and he does a pretty good job of it. That is a noble goal imho.
Reply to this commentGoogle clamped down over the weekend stopping almost every directory ranking for its own name.
http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=zorg+links
Reply to this commenthttp://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=aviva+directory
Not for every directory as far as i can see. There are some valuable directories that still list as #1 for their name.
Reply to this commentYeah, Yahoo and ODP still there.
Reply to this commentLooks like you are doing pretty good with your directory,well done Mike!
Reply to this commentZorg links is one of the best bidding directories arround, the huge promotions that mike always dose is making his directory a very strong one!
Reply to this commentI have a feeling whilst a cracking idea it’s very unsubstainable. I equate it to buying and selling companies.
All the top links are bid directory links, sure, astronomical sums of money are being thrown around. But I wager Mike has thrown around similar sums of money. I’d like to know how much profit he has actually made.
Still, good luck to him.
Reply to this commentIt’s 2007, directories are dead!
Reply to this commentWhat you buy here is a Pagerank 5 link, that’s all.
You might get some traffic from a directory, but only until the buzz is over (so in about a month)…
Not worth the money, IMHO.
That’s a point! But i think that it will last more than a month.
Reply to this commentIt will run until he runs out of promotion money
Reply to this commenti will never run out of money. promotion and investment are never ending.
Reply to this commentI wish you luck
Reply to this commentI agree with you 100% - it is a waste of time and money for whomever gets into it!
Reply to this commentI wouldn’t say directories are over, but I don’t see this idea as being that wise a move for webmasters (buying a link). Especially when there are so many free directories that will give you a free indexable link, if your site is good.
Reply to this commentI’m kind of agreeing with this. It may slightly help in SEO efforts, but I imagine if Google sees it as a directory… the backlink wouldn’t be as relevant as it could have been. (say it if were linked from a site that had more similar content… )
Reply to this commentHey Michael - Are you seeing this as a PR5? I’m getting PR0 when I visit http://www.zorg-links.com
I also tried iwebtools pr predictor and the best it predicted was PR5 (currently zero).
http://www.iwebtool.com/pagerank_prediction?domain=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.zorg-links.com
Reply to this commentIt’s funny but everybody seems to go with current + 1 when it comes to predicting page rank no matter what the online tools that are available tell them
Reply to this commentDo you really need this , when you can get a back link from a blog of PR6 eg. johnchow.com by just commenting … As easy as such … call me stingy but with wordpress top commenter plugin , i think things have become more easy ??
Reply to this commentI think a direct link is still better than code generated used in top commentator ..
Reply to this commentThere are better options than this directory out there, but you gotta work for a top commentator spot on John Chow!
Reply to this commentyeah johnchow was just an example , there are lot of high pr blogs where you need not do that much hardwork to reach the top commentator .. moreover its a do follow link ..so its ok ..
Reply to this commentNo doubt that Mike have done really great job for his directory. Very new steps taken by Mike to show the industry that no just oldies are Gold but newbies can do even better.
Reply to this commentThe review says this website has a PageRank of 5. However, after checking the PageRank manually I found out the website doesn’t have PageRank at all (well it’s PR0). How come?
Reply to this commentYeah, I was wondering this too..?
Reply to this commentMichael, as Click Input correctly pointed out, the minimum bid for new directories is $20.00. That’s a lot more expensive than the “$2.00 some webmasters out there could afford to bid”.
I was initially going to register (hell, $1-2 for a PR5 link why not), but for $20.00 forget it.
If you think about it, it’s actually almost false advertisement from the part of Mike Lovatt if you refer to his FAQ page:
Reply to this commentHe probably just forgot to update the faq, I don’t think it was intentional deception.
Reply to this commentI’ve used directories both personally and for clients for years and I’ve never noticed an increase in PR, any referral traffic or better SERPS results. I’ve got sites listed in hundreds of directories with PR5, PR6 and PR7 yet each time the link has been worthless, no matter how SE friendly they claim to be.
I’d love for somebody to Prove me wrong
Reply to this commentI’ve had the same experience as well, the problem when it comes to high PR directories is that they tend to have a lot of links on their pages, and sharing that page’s PR with all those links is practically useless.
The other thing is directories with a few websites listed (better share of the PR) usually don’t have a PR, so its a loose loose situation.
Reply to this commentme too. i’m not seeng any PR even on the homepage
Reply to this commentWith all the free directory around i think spending hundreds of dollars is not the greatest idea… just for a link (or several links from the same site). just my opinion
Reply to this commentHi Guys,
I’m Mike, the guy who ordered this review. I wanted to clarify a few things first.
Firstly, the backlinks. Many SEO companies crawl the web looking for decent directories to submit to. They dont look at features like page rank, they look at the quality of the sites listed in the directory, and what benefits it would bring. Just look at many paid directories and you will see companies like British Airways and other big brands listed there.
The $20 it costs to submit has risen recently. I set my price based on the quality of the directory. Its not about $20 for a link, its about the quality of that link. Google has stated that webmasters buying text links is bad. They have however said webmasters are free to submit to web directories, as this is a safe way of gaining backlinks.
Look around. yahoo charges $300 for a listing there, many other paid directories charge over $50, so i consider $20 a very reasonable price.
With people trying to gain high PR links as cheaply as possible, or even for free, google is spotting this. Signature links, blog comment links, top commenters, word clouds are all being ignored.
Web directories are becoming one of the safe places to gain quality relevant backlinks to the site.
The PageRank on my site has yet to update as google is taking forever with this update. This is the reason why some of the categories have few sites listed, as some people are only prepared to pay once they see evidence of PR.
As for the listings on the homepage, they are bound to be only web directories. Its in their advantage to get listed there, as the traffic is targetted and will likely result in sales. It wouldnt be worth paying over $200 to get a recipe site listed there.
Thanks to those with the positive comments, and to Michael for writing a nice review. So far the “John Chow effect” has seen me sell a listing for $30, and my traffic rise quite a lot. In the 4 hours that analytics has been tracking today, i already have more traffic than the weekend.
Mike
Reply to this commentHi Mike,
This is just my opinion but what is it that makes your directory different from all the others out there? I could list hundreds of PR6 directories. Like I said previously I’ve used directory listings for years from many paid/exclusive very high ranking directories and NEVER noticed any benefit to the linked website. The only 2 directories I’ve ever found to be worth anything for webmasters are Yahoo and the ODP.
If your directory really does offer some benefit (referral/PR or SERPS) then I’d sign up straight away and bring a load of clients websites with me.
Reply to this commentUntil the recent drop in SERPs, site submitted to my directory ranked high for their title text.
For example, http://www.idk.in submitted to zorg links. when his site was searched for in google, my site ranked closely to his. I am doing some nice work on the site to ensure listed sites get the maximum benefits. One of those is ranking highly in google.
Reply to this commentBut your own site doesn’t even rank on the first page of Google or Yahoo for the highly competitive phrase zorg links, it only makes it to number 3 on Live Search?
I’ll pass thanks.
Reply to this commentThis is something very recent. You will notice the major directories like alive directory and aviva have had the same problem. This happened on sunday. Seems google had an algorithm change. i am fully confident things will be normal soon.
Reply to this commentThis is normal. The valued directories are still in place. Aviva and Alive are not major directories, I have plenty of sites in both and they have made do difference in either traffic or SEO terms. It’s not just a Google thing, Yahoo also dislike paid directories. MSN takes less account of backlinks so it’s not as important.
I’m not trying to beat up on directories, paid or otherwise, it’s just from my own experience (and $1000s of Dollars) I’ve found them all to be worthless. I would really LOVE to find one that wasn’t, if that’s yours then great.
Reply to this commentI will not condemn this, I felt it too google did have an algorithm change for sure, it usually takes a couple of days for the whole system to re-stabilize itself and I’m very confident that Zorg Links will go back to the top of the search engine results.
Reply to this commentwhy dont you start one called the evil eye directory or whatever “keyword” you are currently known in the blogosphere.
Reply to this comment$1460 for top placement. Now that is one big spender for a link
Reply to this commentI don’t know about it, the average Internet user would never heard of such thing as Zorg Links, I would not use it personally. And I am sure I am not alone on this one… Am I?
Reply to this commentThat point doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense.
The average internet user has never heard of “Tyson Williams”, but that does not mean it isn’t receiving tons and tons of traffic. Directories are usually based on how much promotion is being done to them, rather than how many people know a