Insider Marketing Tips

Reading on a few Webmaster forums there are quite a few threads discussing “How to Get PR Reinstatement” back onto sites, in particular directories.

Directories have taken quite a big hit in the Toolbar PageRank updates over the last 18 months, with even the big name directories losing the the little green bar. Why? Google is combating Paid Links, there is even a link at the Google Webmaster Tools for reporting sites known to be buying or selling links.

It seems paid directories are considered to be selling links. That in itself is open to debate as quality directories do charge for reviews, now provided editorial reviews by directory editors are done, to me the charge is for the editors time to conduct a review not for a listing link.

If your directory has taken a PR Hit do not despair as Google also gives you a chance for PR reinstatement. Login to Google Webmaster Tools and find the link on the right hand side named “Request Reconsideration”.

Select the site in question and put forward your case for reconsideration. I suggest you read the Quality Guidelines and comb your site for any possible breaches of the guidelines and fix them up. When arguing your case put forward any discrepancies you think your site was breaching and explain what you have done fix the problems.

Allow up to 2 weeks for results, if nothing, comb your site again for problems and breaches of Google’s quality guidelines, fix the problems and submit another request. It did take me 2 requests for PR reinstatement for Searchbuster Directory.

Another technique put forward by Mikey1090 at Digital Point Forums is to get Google’s internet police attention by posting your story to the Google Webmaster Help Group. It may attract the right attention. I haven’t tried this personally but see no reason not to give it a go.

Web Developer & Directory Owner of Searchbuster Web Directory