Guide + SOP + tracking

Manual directory submission (done safely)

Manual submissions can help early-stage sites build consistent citations and discoverability — but only when you avoid automation and low-quality directories. This page gives you a practical SOP and a simple tracking workflow.

No SEO guarantees. Avoid spam and follow Google’s link spam policies.

Get done-for-you submissionsUse the free tracker (DIY)

What “manual directory submission” means

A definition that avoids SEO spam

Manual means one-by-one submissions without automation, focused on relevance and consistency.

Manual (recommended)

You select directories that make sense for your product and submit your listing individually.

  • Higher relevance, fewer risky submissions
  • Consistent profile info across listings
  • Track approvals, noindex, and removals
Automated blasts (avoid)

Bulk submission software and “5,000 directories in 1 click” packages often target low-quality sites.

  • Higher spam risk and low approval quality
  • Hard to track what’s live/noindexed
  • Can create messy, inconsistent listings

A practical SOP (step-by-step)

Small batch → track → iterate

Use a repeatable process so you don’t lose track and you can learn what works.

1) Prepare a submission kit
Standardize your URL, title, short/long description, logo, screenshots, and category choices.
2) Start with 20–50 relevant directories
Pick directories that are clearly relevant to your niche or your geography; skip obvious spam.
3) Submit manually and track status
Track each site as submitted/approved/rejected/noindex so you can follow up later.
4) Recheck and maintain
Revisit monthly/quarterly. Update info, replace dead/noindex listings, and keep profiles consistent.

Risk controls

How to reduce the downside

Avoid automation and low-quality “directory farms”. Prefer real sites with actual users and legitimate listings.

Keep your listing info consistent (name/URL/description). Inconsistent profiles often get rejected or removed.

Don’t repeat the same exact anchor text everywhere. Use natural language and prioritize branded or URL anchors.

Related resources

Lists + tracker

Use these pages to find sites and track submissions.

FAQ

What is manual directory submission?
Manual directory submission means submitting your website to directories one-by-one (without automation). It can be DIY or done-for-you, but the key is: no bulk blasting and no link farms.
Is manual directory submission good for SEO?
It can help with discoverability and consistent citations when used selectively. It is not a ranking shortcut. Focus on relevance, quality, and consistency.
How many directories should I submit to?
Start with 20–50 relevant directories, track approval/noindex, then expand based on results. Quality matters more than volume.
What should I avoid?
Avoid automation, obvious spam directories, and repeating the same exact anchor text everywhere. Follow Google's link spam policies and prioritize legitimate listings.
DIY vs done-for-you: which should I pick?
DIY is great if you have time and want full control. Done-for-you is better if you want a consistent process and a delivery report.
Do you guarantee backlinks or rankings?
No. Directory submissions are a manual workflow. We focus on process, tracking, and risk control — not guaranteed rankings.

Want a done-for-you workflow?

If you’re short on time, use our manual submission service and get a delivery report. We keep it manual-first and trackable.

Manual directory submission service