Internet Directories

What are Internet directories?

Unlike search engines, which are compiled by computer programmes called robots, directories have been compiled by humans. The resources are then categorised according to their subject. The categories that directories use are hierarchical. This means that within categories you are likely to find sub categories.

The great advantage of directories is the human input - search engines do not check the quality of the pages they index. This means that using search engines can involve a lot of time sorting high quality information from rubbish. If you use a directory, this work has already been for done for you to some extent.

When you are using directories you need to be aware of who has selected and organised the information within the directory.

There are varying levels of quality control in directories:

General Directories

DMOZ Open directory project, the largest, most comprehensive human-edited directory of the Web. It is constructed and maintained by a vast, global community of volunteer editors.
The WWW virtual library - the oldest catalogue of the web.
Internet Public Library