Newly Picked Directory Submission Statistics for 2025

The top directory submission stats for 2025 are that Google business profile accounts for 70% of all search traffic related to directories, Local directories contribute to 31% of Google’s local ranking factors, and AI-powered directories are expected to grow by 35% by 2027.

This shows the importance of directory submission on improving local SEO, driving search traffic, and staying ahead of trends with AI-powered directory growth in the coming years.

This article explores 140+ best directory submission trends for 2025 and beyond.

Global Directory Submission Stats

1. As of 2024, 68% of SEO professionals consider directory submissions as part of their link-building strategy (Source: Moz).
2. Around 42% of businesses report an increase in referral traffic after submitting their sites to directories (Source: Ahrefs).
3. The global online directory market is valued at approximately $12.4 billion in 2024 (Source: IBISWorld).
4. Nearly 60% of small businesses still use directory listings to improve their search rankings (Source: BrightLocal).
5. 75% of consumers use online directories to find local businesses at least once per month (Source: Search Engine Journal).
6. Google My Business accounts for 70% of all directory-related search traffic (Source: HubSpot).
7. Yelp has over 244 million cumulative reviews as of 2024, making it a dominant business directory (Source: Yelp).
8. 80% of businesses listed in high-authority directories see an increase in domain trust (Source: SEMrush).
9. 55% of directory submissions are now automated using SEO tools (Source: Search Engine Land).
10. The average cost for a paid directory submission ranges between $50 and $300 per year (Source: Business.com).
11. 92% of online directories now allow businesses to upload images and videos to their profiles (Source: Statista).
12. Business directories contribute to 37% of all citations used for local SEO ranking factors (Source: Local SEO Guide).
13. Approximately 30% of online directory links are categorized as no-follow, limiting direct SEO benefits (Source: Moz).
14. The total number of active online business directories worldwide exceeds 4,500 (Source: IBISWorld).
15. 61% of marketers agree that directory submissions remain a valuable long-term SEO tactic (Source: Search Engine Journal).

Local Business Directory Stats

1. 93% of local businesses that optimize directory listings see improved search visibility (Source: BrightLocal).
2. Local directories contribute to 31% of Google’s local ranking factors (Source: Whitespark).
3. 84% of customers trust online business directories when finding local services (Source: Local Consumer Review Survey).
4. Google My Business alone influences 64% of mobile local searches (Source: HubSpot).
5. Yelp and TripAdvisor account for 25% of total online directory traffic (Source: SEMrush).
6. Over 55% of small businesses invest in premium directory listings for enhanced visibility (Source: Business News Daily).
7. 70% of customers are more likely to visit a business with positive directory reviews (Source: Search Engine Journal).
8. Inaccurate directory listings cause 41% of consumers to lose trust in a business (Source: BrightLocal).
9. The average click-through rate (CTR) for optimized directory listings is 5% higher than unoptimized listings (Source: Ahrefs).
10. 47% of business owners claim directories drive at least 10% of their total website traffic (Source: Statista).
11. The presence of consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) details in directories improves local SEO rankings by 20% (Source: Moz).
12. Google My Business listings with complete profiles receive 7x more clicks than incomplete ones (Source: Search Engine Journal).
13. 30% of mobile searches for businesses lead to a directory listing visit within 24 hours (Source: Google).
14. More than 50% of businesses still do not claim or optimize their directory listings (Source: BrightLocal).
15. 40% of small businesses update their directory profiles at least once every six months (Source: Business.com).

Directory Submission and SEO Stats

1. 70% of SEO experts believe directory submissions positively influence search rankings (Source: Moz).
2. Backlinks from directories contribute to 28% of a website’s overall domain authority (Source: Ahrefs).
3. Businesses listed in authoritative directories see a 12% increase in organic search rankings (Source: SEMrush).
4. Local citations from directories improve a website’s search visibility by 35% (Source: Whitespark).
5. Directories account for 19% of all external referral traffic to business websites (Source: Search Engine Journal).
6. Websites with directory backlinks receive an average 15% higher crawl rate by search engines (Source: Ahrefs).
7. Nearly 90% of businesses with directory submissions see an improvement in their local keyword rankings (Source: BrightLocal).
8. 60% of marketers use directory submissions as part of their link-building efforts (Source: HubSpot).
9. Submissions to niche directories yield a 25% higher conversion rate than general directories (Source: SEMrush).
10. 58% of marketers say directory submissions are more valuable for local SEO than global SEO (Source: Moz).
11. Google considers business directories a secondary ranking factor in its local search algorithm (Source: Search Engine Journal).
12. 72% of directory backlinks are categorized as high-authority links (Source: Ahrefs).
13. Companies that actively maintain their directory listings experience a 20% boost in domain authority (Source: SEMrush).
14. Directories with industry-specific categories contribute to 18% higher engagement rates (Source: Statista).
15. 45% of businesses say directory submissions generate more qualified leads than other link-building methods (Source: Search Engine Land).

Online Business Directory Traffic Stats

1. Business directories drive 25% of total referral traffic for local businesses (Source: Ahrefs).
2. Yelp receives over 178 million unique visitors per month as of 2024 (Source: Yelp).
3. Google My Business listings generate 5 billion direct searches every month (Source: Google).
4. 63% of mobile users click on a business directory listing after conducting a local search (Source: HubSpot).
5. 40% of consumers who visit a directory listing take an action (call, visit, or email) within 24 hours (Source: BrightLocal).
6. The average time spent on a business directory listing page is 1 minute and 42 seconds (Source: Statista).
7. Niche directories see 18% higher engagement rates than general business directories (Source: SEMrush).
8. 70% of users searching in online directories are looking for immediate solutions (Source: Search Engine Journal).
9. Mobile searches contribute to 62% of total business directory traffic (Source: Google).
10. Directories with customer reviews see 30% more user engagement than those without (Source: BrightLocal).
11. 48% of directory users visit at least two different business listings before making a decision (Source: Moz).
12. Business listings with images receive 94% more views than listings without (Source: Yelp).
13. Google My Business listings generate an average of 59 actions per month, including clicks, calls, and website visits (Source: Search Engine Journal).
14. 33% of all local searches result in a directory listing click (Source: SEMrush).
15. Directories that integrate booking systems see a 22% increase in user engagement (Source: Business News Daily).

Paid vs. Free Directory Submission Stats

1. 55% of businesses use a mix of free and paid directory submissions (Source: BrightLocal).
2. Paid directory listings generate 2.5x more leads than free listings (Source: SEMrush).
3. The average cost of a premium directory listing is between $50 and $300 per year (Source: Business.com).
4. 78% of businesses that pay for directory submissions do so to improve local search rankings (Source: Moz).
5. 67% of paid directory listings see an increase in website referral traffic within three months (Source: Ahrefs).
6. Free directory submissions still account for 65% of all online business listings (Source: Statista).
7. Businesses using paid directories experience an 18% higher conversion rate than those using free directories (Source: HubSpot).
8. High-authority paid directories contribute to a 22% improvement in domain trust (Source: Search Engine Journal).
9. 42% of businesses using free directories report minimal traffic improvements (Source: Ahrefs).
10. Paid directories with high domain authority (DA 60+) provide 30% better SEO value (Source: SEMrush).
11. 59% of marketers believe premium directory submissions yield a positive ROI (Source: Search Engine Land).
12. Yelp’s premium business listings see a 35% higher engagement rate than free listings (Source: Yelp).
13. Paid directories that offer do-follow backlinks contribute to a 15% increase in domain authority (Source: Moz).
14. 48% of businesses using paid directories see higher lead conversion rates within six months (Source: BrightLocal).
15. Free directories often have lower authority, with 60% of them carrying DA below 50 (Source: Ahrefs).

Directory Submission and Conversion Rate Stats

1. 72% of directory users are ready to engage with a business after finding it in a listing (Source: Search Engine Journal).
2. Business directories generate a 10% higher conversion rate than organic search traffic (Source: SEMrush).
3. Optimized directory listings receive 35% more conversions than unoptimized listings (Source: BrightLocal).
4. Listings with customer reviews experience a 22% higher conversion rate (Source: Yelp).
5. 47% of directory users make a purchase or visit a business within 48 hours of their search (Source: Google).
6. 69% of businesses report an increase in inquiries after submitting to high-authority directories (Source: Moz).
7. Directories with lead generation forms improve conversion rates by 28% (Source: HubSpot).
8. Local business listings see an average conversion rate of 16%, compared to 10% for generic search results (Source: SEMrush).
9. Directories featuring appointment booking options increase conversions by 32% (Source: Business News Daily).
10. Google My Business listings with detailed descriptions see 2.3x more conversions (Source: Google).
11. Video content in directory listings boosts conversions by 20% (Source: Search Engine Journal).
12. Directories that enable direct messaging see a 25% increase in customer interactions (Source: BrightLocal).
13. Listings with complete business profiles generate 52% more leads than incomplete ones (Source: Moz).
14. The average conversion rate for niche directory listings is 19%, compared to 13% for general directories (Source: SEMrush).
15. 40% of consumers contact a business directly from its directory listing without visiting its website (Source: Ahrefs).

Directory Submission and Mobile Search Stats

1. 78% of mobile users search for local businesses via online directories (Source: Google).
2. 62% of directory-related searches originate from mobile devices (Source: SEMrush).
3. Google My Business listings generate 70% of their traffic from mobile searches (Source: HubSpot).
4. 42% of users who find a business via a mobile directory listing visit the location within 24 hours (Source: BrightLocal).
5. Yelp’s mobile app accounts for 52% of its total traffic (Source: Yelp).
6. 88% of mobile searches for local businesses result in a call or store visit within a day (Source: Google).
7. Mobile-optimized directory listings receive 35% higher engagement rates than non-optimized listings (Source: Moz).
8. Directories with click-to-call functionality see a 22% increase in conversions (Source: Search Engine Journal).
9. 57% of consumers prefer to browse directory listings on mobile rather than desktop (Source: Statista).
10. The average session duration for mobile directory users is 1.8 minutes (Source: SEMrush).
11. 61% of mobile users prefer directories with real-time navigation integration (Source: Google).
12. Business directories that support mobile payments see a 26% increase in customer engagement (Source: Business News Daily).
13. 45% of directory listing visits on mobile lead to a direct website visit (Source: Ahrefs).
14. Google Maps listings, a key part of directory submissions, influence 54% of mobile search users (Source: HubSpot).
15. Businesses with mobile-friendly directory listings see 29% more customer actions (Source: BrightLocal).

Industry-Specific Directory Submission Stats

1. 70% of healthcare providers use directories for online patient acquisition (Source: Healthgrades).
2. 65% of real estate agents generate leads through directory submissions (Source: Zillow).
3. 50% of legal firms rely on directory listings for client acquisition (Source: FindLaw).
4. Restaurants see a 42% higher conversion rate from directory listings than other industries (Source: Yelp).
5. 68% of automotive businesses receive inquiries through directories like CarGurus and Autotrader (Source: Statista).
6. 80% of home service professionals rely on directories like Angi and HomeAdvisor (Source: SEMrush).
7. E-commerce stores using directories like Shopify’s marketplace see a 28% increase in referral traffic (Source: HubSpot).
8. 55% of B2B businesses find directory submissions beneficial for lead generation (Source: Clutch).
9. Healthcare directories generate 30% of new patient referrals (Source: Healthgrades).
10. Tech companies leveraging directories like G2 and Capterra see a 19% increase in conversions (Source: Search Engine Journal).
11. Construction businesses experience 21% more inbound leads through industry-specific directories (Source: IBISWorld).
12. 64% of travel businesses receive customer inquiries through TripAdvisor and similar directories (Source: Statista).
13. 47% of law firm clients found their attorney via a legal directory (Source: FindLaw).
14. Niche directories yield 35% more targeted traffic than general directories (Source: SEMrush).
15. Professional services firms see a 25% increase in online inquiries from directory listings (Source: Business News Daily).

Directory Submission and Customer Review Stats

1. 88% of consumers trust online reviews from directories as much as personal recommendations (Source: BrightLocal).
2. Google My Business listings with 4-star ratings or higher receive 45% more clicks (Source: Google).
3. 73% of customers are more likely to contact a business with positive directory reviews (Source: Yelp).
4. 52% of businesses claim that reviews from directories influence their revenue growth (Source: SEMrush).
5. Yelp has over 244 million customer reviews as of 2024 (Source: Yelp).
6. 67% of consumers will not engage with a business that has less than a 3-star rating on directories (Source: BrightLocal).
7. Businesses with at least 10 reviews on directories see a 15% increase in conversions (Source: Moz).
8. 48% of customers will not consider a business with no reviews on directory listings (Source: Search Engine Journal).
9. 40% of consumers leave a review on a directory after a positive experience (Source: Statista).
10. Businesses that respond to directory reviews see a 22% higher customer retention rate (Source: HubSpot).
11. 58% of customers check directory reviews before making a purchase decision (Source: SEMrush).
12. Negative directory reviews influence 42% of consumers to look for alternative businesses (Source: Business News Daily).
13. The average number of reviews per business listing on Google My Business is 39 (Source: Google).
14. Businesses with video testimonials in directory listings see 25% more engagement (Source: Search Engine Journal).
15. 85% of customers are more likely to visit a business with a high number of recent positive reviews (Source: BrightLocal).

Future Trends in Directory Submission Stats

1. AI-powered directories are expected to grow by 35% by 2027 (Source: Statista).
2. Voice search-driven directory inquiries will account for 55% of local business searches by 2025 (Source: Google).
3. Augmented reality (AR) integrations in directories will increase customer engagement by 30% (Source: SEMrush).
4. 60% of businesses plan to enhance their directory presence using AI-generated content (Source: HubSpot).
5. Blockchain-based business directories are projected to reach a $1.2 billion market by 2028 (Source: IBISWorld).
6. Personalized directory recommendations will improve customer conversion rates by 28% (Source: Search Engine Journal).
7. Google My Business is expected to maintain a 75% market share in the business directory space by 2026 (Source: Google).
8. 52% of marketers believe interactive elements in directories will improve engagement rates (Source: Moz).
9. AI chatbots in directories are forecasted to increase lead generation by 25% (Source: SEMrush).
10. Directories with advanced search filters will see a 32% rise in user retention (Source: Statista).
11. Voice search optimization for directory listings will boost traffic by 40% by 2026 (Source: Google).
12. 57% of consumers expect more personalized recommendations from business directories in the future (Source: HubSpot).
13. Blockchain-verified business listings will reduce fraudulent directory entries by 50% (Source: Business News Daily).
14. Mobile app-based directories are projected to see a 20% growth in user adoption by 2027 (Source: Statista).
15. AI-enhanced business directory listings will improve search visibility by 33% (Source: SEMrush).

Conclusion

Directory submissions are still an important part of digital marketing and SEO, helping businesses get more visibility, better search rankings, and increased customer engagement. While the process has changed over time, it remains crucial for local SEO, mobile searches, and niche marketing. With new technologies like AI, voice search, and blockchain, directory submissions will become more automated, personalized, and secure. Businesses that make the most of directory listings will continue to benefit in the competitive digital world.

FAQs

1. Are directory submissions still relevant for SEO in 2024?

Yes, directory submissions remain relevant, especially for local SEO and referral traffic. High-authority directories contribute to domain authority, visibility, and customer engagement.

2. What are the best directories for local businesses?

The most effective directories include Google My Business, Yelp, Bing Places, TripAdvisor (for travel businesses), Angi (for home services), and industry-specific platforms like Healthgrades for healthcare.

3. Do paid directory listings provide better SEO benefits than free listings?

Paid directories generally offer higher visibility, better search rankings, and more features (e.g., do-follow links, enhanced profiles) compared to free listings.

4. How can businesses optimize their directory listings?

Businesses should ensure complete and consistent information (NAP), add high-quality images, encourage customer reviews, and regularly update their listings.

5. What is the future of directory submissions?

Trends indicate a rise in AI-powered directories, voice search integration, personalized recommendations, and blockchain-verified business listings for improved credibility.