Search Engine Registration Notes

In his excellent book, Search Engine Optimization for Dummies, Peter Kent explains that many search engines actually get their search results from one (or more) of the larger search engines, such as Google or The Open Directory Project. Therefore, the author concludes that it may not be necessary to spend endless hours registering with thousands of the smaller search sites. Rather, the author provides a brief list of absolutely essential search sites with which it is highly recommended to register. Further, by registering with the following sites, your site will be listed in a significant majority of all search engines.

Update!

This post is over 10 years old. When it was first published, the Web was much less controlled by Google. In fact, this post once contained over 100 different search-engine-related links. Over the years, I’ve watched Google exterminate the competition. Unfortunately, what remains is just a handful of ways to register your site with the few existing search engines. If you know of any others, please let me know. Thanks!</update>

Submit your site to search engines

Here is the list of recommended search sites that currently provide free site submission (may require user registration):

• Google
• MSN/Live/Bing

Check your site’s listing

It is also advisable to check if your site is listed in one of these search directories (index via name, location, and/or category):

• Google
• ExactSeek Directory

Paid services

If you are financially serious about paying for search engine registration, here are some resources to get you started:

• AltaVista
• Teoma/Ask Jeeves
• ineedhits.com
• ineedhits.com

Bulk site registration

There are even software programs that may help you with bulk website registrations:

• SubmitWolf
• Google Sitemap Submission

About the Author

Jeff Starr = Web Developer. Book Author. Secretly Important.