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TopDirs

How we measure and rank directories

The order of every list on TopDirs comes from real searches. Here is what we counted, what we checked by hand, and what the numbers can't tell you.

How the order is set

Three rules, applied in this order.

  1. 1

    How often it shows up in searches

    For 100 types of business we ran the searches a customer would type, 399 in all, on Google (US, desktop, October 20, 2026). We counted which directories appeared in the first ten regular results. Local packs and ads are not counted. Citations in Google's AI Overview are counted on their own and only break ties.

  2. 2

    Then how well it fits

    A directory built for your kind of business comes before one that takes any business, and that comes before one that only works as a marketplace.

  3. 3

    Then how popular the site is

    Only to break ties, we use the Tranco top-1M list of busy websites. We do not use domain authority or DR scores.

Where the facts on each directory come from

We looked at 1,807 directories and wrote up 250 so far. Cost, signup and approval time are read from each directory's own pages and dated. Whether the link to your site helps (dofollow or nofollow) is shown as tested only when we checked a live listing; where it comes from another published list, the profile says so.

What we could not confirm is marked "not confirmed". We leave gaps blank rather than guess. Prices and rules change, so the linked pages are the authority.

What the numbers can't tell you

  • Traffic, calls or sign-ups from any listing. We have no lead data.
  • Other countries, other search wording or other dates. This is one measurement, in the US.
  • Answers from ChatGPT and other assistants. Only Google was measured.
  • Whether a directory suits your market. A directory that did not show up can still matter where you work.

Sponsored placements and corrections

Sponsored placements are always labelled. Where a directory appears in our lists comes from the measurements above.

Found an old price, a dead link or a wrong call? Tell us and we will check it.

Measured October 20, 2026