The expansion and rejuvenation of the web directory to counter the success of the search engine (Par

In the internet's beginnings there were no search engines. The complex programming and web robots were simply too complex, and to that end no one had attempted to configure a reasonably viable option until several years into the internet's ascendancy.



The method developed to (in a sense) contain the internet was the introduction of directories. The first directory created by CERN initially listed ALL of the websites on the internet. This isn't quite as impressive as it sounds as there were less than 100 sites at this time. Still, it was a landmark achievement in making the internet massively more accessible. From this a multitude of directories started to appear as the internet exploded with new sites which needed to be listed. Directories had to expand rapidly in both their capacity and range of categories as more obscure and personal interest sites began to appear. As the internet grew, directories grew with it creating a multitude of categories and subcategories to house the ever increasing range of sites.



Before very long directories had to rely almost entirely on companies submitting to them as it became apparent that their administrators could never handle such a gargantuan task. To this end improved functionality was applied to many directory sites, making it easier for both the people making their sites submissions and the administrators who had to monitor the influx of listings.



However, while directories were undergoing their great expansions, a new method of searching the web was being developed from many quarters. The more complex programming required to create functioning search engines had made great strides in the few years directories had dominated the web. Search engines soon reached the stage where they were rivalling and eventually surpassing directories in popularity. The more complex search engines became, the more their everyday use exceeded that of directories. The key difference being that search engines provided a better point of access for those who know what they were looking for. The more advanced search engines began to filter searches and provide site ranking to make browsing even easier. As people became more computer literate, search engines such as Google had more to offer the everyday user.



In order to keep up, the web directory had to change with the times. Many would remain much the same as they where, but those that changed and adapted made a variety of changes and additions which would set them apart from the directories of old. For an example of a useful SEO forum try here.



The concluding section of this article will look into the methods that directories adopted and how it affected their popularity and progress in the internet game.