We had studied at some depth niche directories via a series of articles titled ‘Secrets of a successful directory‘. All these articles basically were niche directories targetting some specific demography of users. We discussed on how important it is that the directory is useful to the general web browsing human. Slowly now we are seeing a radical change on how web directories are managed. Gradually these directories are out growing their brief and developing into complete knowledge portals. For an example, look at this directory of online pool games. Did you notice something that is completely different from how most directories are presented?

This site is ‘more than a directory’. It not only includes a directory of online games but also a guide to these same games. So it is more than just a listing.

Also look at the presentation. It does not use a simple directory script but all the links are embedded. This would mean that a real brathing human being can read through the articles and find sites that he is interested in.

We believe that this kind of innovation will not remain an exception but will become the rule. We are not saying that all directories should start embedding links in text but directories have to start thinking differently in order to gain and retain viewership. They have to think out of the box. The ones who are able to do so would survive this race - the others would simply fade away.

Do you know of other directories that are ‘more than a directory’? We would gladly like to know about them.