This was discussed on that other forum back when bid directories were just starting out ... see "Ethical Bid Directories ... Rulz of conduct!" on DP if you are interested in the history.

The consenus was that owners could add any listing to their directory as long as it was at the minimum bid allowed.

Owners usually add their own sites to new directories and minimum bids don't distort the value of the bidding directory.

The feeling was that empty directories needed to be seeded with some listings so users could understand what their link would look like and how the sorting worked.

What people did not want to see were high bids that that forced legitimate bidders to bid more or amounts that guaranteed related sites high positions. The feeling here was that related sites were not using real money and in effect had unlimited budgets since no money changed hands.

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MrktCity Directory
Submit Free - Bid for Position

I agree. I see no real issue with "seeding" empty categories at the minimum bid. It is good for the directory to have listing in every category. I personally do not do it (not sure why.. lol). But what bothers me is when then accept 200 (ok that might be an exaggeration) directories into their bidding directory right off the bat for free or for a discounted price. Typically they get a bunch of submitters and then they just die off. It makes no sense, why not just open a free directory?

People don't understand that no one makes money with a directory.. bidding or paid without good promotion, networking and traffic. Seems like 99% of these are just wasting their time, looking for an easy $15 or so, hoping the directory will just "magically" get bids like bigweblinks and Zorg simply because they announce it.

Lance

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Beacon Web Directory - Have You Heard Of It?

Yeah, I guess the major issue is the inflation of bids. Adding quality listings periodically does add to the directory, but in regards to doing that in a bid directory, I think it takes away from the bidders competition in the beginning.

They may run when they see 20 listings already that were added by the Admin.

It all depends I guess.

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Minimum bids rarely influence the submissions ...

Normally a link submitted at the minimum is just to get a listing on the directory and the user has no intention of maintaining the position.

However any bid above the minimum shows the webmaster is interested in positioning and will likely be interested in previous bids.

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MrktCity Directory
Submit Free - Bid for Position

My minimum bid is $20. I add my own sites at $1. Its more content and wont mean anyone else has to outbid it.

Its really a concern to have such unethical directories around.. my key concern is Bid exchange. I am not sure what others feel about bid exchange...

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Make A Search - Premium Web Directory

Bid exchanging? You mean I pay $2,000 for top bid on your site and you pay $2,000 on mine? It's clearly unethical.

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Directory listings with 5 extra deep links: DrQuery :: SEOQuery :: ShoppingQuery
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I agree that is definately unethical and I would think that if that was really happening then those directories would "die off" fast anyway. Running a directory is hard work. There are good times and bad times.

I personally have not heard of these types of activities going on, although I can see them happening.

I do know that they bid $1 and I will up it $3 or double your bid etc really bother me. Not when they on on new directories and it is a free dollar, but when it is bigger amounts or on established bid directories.

Lance

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Beacon Web Directory - Have You Heard Of It?

same here i will add my own websites but at a minimum $1

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Yes even I did It once. I added my image hosting site at $1 bid that was a long time back.

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DirectoryTotal.com - Web Directory Blog - StrongWebLinks.com - Bidding Directory

I think adding sites to bidding directories with the lowest possible amount is fine and a good practice for the directory owner.

When they artificially inflate bids by inputting large bid amounts, offer promotions to double submitted bid amounts or anything in an attempt to artificially inflate top bidding amounts with an attempt to increase even higher bids. Well that is unethical.

As far as general directories I also think that it is fine to add sites as resources. General directories link placement is not affected by bid amounts and the idea with any directory should be to have resources there for the visitors that search.

Edit -

And since I am on the topic - I think it is reprehensible when you can go between two different bidding directories and see reciprocal links for each others sites in the same amount which signifies no real investment by either site for a highly placed link.

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Authority Directory™ Submit Link
Denver Real Estate Highlands Ranch Real Estate

Nice points Botman

When adding sites to general directories, such as your own sites, do you see adding as a featured link may be a problem?

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