Is the directory business profitable? + Share some really good directories
Over the past year, I've noticed how makers have taken to creating directories on a large scale.
Since I am also thinking of creating one, I would like to know from owners or people who have experience:
Do directories bring any significant profit? (approximate numbers would help)
How do you monetise them?
Can you share good examples?
I know it can be good for many reasons (SEO, affiliates, visibility, thriftiness—everything in one place, etc.) and I am considering it, but I also keep in mind that it can be a bubble, that I can be late, and that it may not be as profitable as it seems.
Do not want to end up burning money and time on administration so much. 😀
Replies
Altern
Hey Nika!
Yes, directories can indeed be profitable; however, their profitability is contingent upon a multitude of parameters.
These include the sector in which they operate, the extent of their outreach, their positioning on platforms such as Google, and their domain authority ranking.
To determine whether directories are profitable, it is essential to consider what the paying clients are seeking. The answer to this inquiry inherently elucidates many of the factors that underpin the performance of directories.
Me and my friend curate some open-source directories lists:
Best AI Directories: An awesome list of best top AI directories
Best SaaS Directories
Directory of Directories : a list of directory lists
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@dariubs I can see that these are open-source and you currate them. But suppose that you didn't monetise them. Or?
Altern
@busmark_w_nika They are free resources for community, not for profit.
anyone can add their directory and its accessible for everyone for free!
SyncSignature
@jinkal1329 is also exploring this space. Maybe you guys can partner up and split tasks to derisk.
@neelptl2602 Thanks!
Hi Nika!
I'm exploring directories. Let's connect and discuss. :)
@busmark_w_nika
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@neelptl2602 @jinkal1329 Hey Jinkal :) Are you already working on any directory? :)
@neelptl2602 @busmark_w_nika yes, we are in research mode right now
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@jinkal1329 are we connected on LI?
Hey Nika! :)
Yes, directories can be profitable — think $1K-$10K/month.
Monetize via paid listings ($50-$500/year), ads, subscriptions, or affiliates. Pick a tight niche, nail SEO, and be the most comprehensive + curated.
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@rohanrecommends What is a maintenance? TBH, I have many ideas for directories but there is a risk that I will pay for a domain, web hosting and it will take me only time without a significant result. Who is a benchmark I could inspire from? :)
@busmark_w_nika I think since you must be connecting to many makers on PH, onboarding new products on the directory shouldn't be a challenge for you. You're probably the most popular PH user in the forum. :)
Having said that, domain, hosting and website SEO, design and dev might incur you expenses which can be covered if you sell sponsorship.
Perhaps you can combine the offering with your existing media — newsletter, Youtube, social, etc.
You may already know, There's An AI For That continues to be setting benchmarks for other directories to aspire too. Do you know any other that have successfully monetized and offered results to their clients?
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@rohanrecommends I interviewed Janu and he mentioned some revenue but it is not his main source of income. He builds MVPs. :) https://x.com/JanuBuilds And John Rush is an advocate for directories. I can see many people creating directories but it is hard to say which are profitable :)
i reckon pretty much anything can be made into a money making and profitable biz. though it depends how much effort you're willing to put into getting traction.
there are a lot of directories out there but many are pretty useless - they're around for a short period of time and then stop being maintained. so I think the path is pretty clear and it's a question of how much you're willing to put into making it into something that's profitable
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That is true. But I also think that when I pick niché that has a potential to grow organically, I could invest less time e.g. on SEO because people will searching for that topic on their own.
+ I do not want to rely on some platforms, like Directory of tools for Twitter etc. – you will not know whether they once shut down and your directory is completely useless after that. I need to pick something autonomous.
It is still relevant, as long as there is a great SEO in place, quality backlinks, and drives millions of impressions from search engines. The directories are the fundamental network of links or resources of the internet and are influenced by the same users. I see a growing trend of these directories in various domains.
I recently met a guy who creates some trending graphs and his site had a few hundred pages in some form of directory and it was getting him 25-30M impressions and 1-2M organic clicks per month.
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@veeresh_devireddy Who was that guy? Contact?
I have analyzed 500+ directories, and here are my key learnings:
Building directories is a 500% yes, but it's a long-term game. You may need to build at least 10 of them before one generates good revenue ($1K–$5K). If you're planning to build one, here are the simple steps based on my expereince to follow:
But before I start—I must tell you, today is the best time to create a directory. We’re moving toward a time when people (and search engines) will prioritize direct solutions over content, favouring curated lists of tools/products instead of generic blog posts like "10 Best Tools for XYZ Industry".
Step 1: Find the Right Niche
Identify a niche without a good curation or one with outdated listing that you can improve. Bonus point, if it aligns with your existing business.
For example, in your case you could create a directory of:
High-quality newsletters for marketing professionals
Courses and makers that help grow newsletters
Inspiring newsletter examples
Newsletter ad spots
Step 2: Find a Keyword with Search Volume
Look for a keyword with at least 500+ searches per month. If there's no search demand, there’s no point in building a directory. To search the keyword I use Keyword Everwhere tool, its simple and cheap.
Step 3: Get a Domain
I prefer securing a .com domain that closely matches the main keyword with traffic.
Step 4: Use a Boilerplate & Curate Listings
Use a directory boilerplate and manually curate 40–50 listings. You can set up your directory within a day or two.
Step 5: Write & Publish Blogs
Write 1–2 blogs on your website and other platforms (e.g., Medium, Daily Dev, etc.). These blogs usually get indexed within a day or two.
Step 6: Launch Your Directory
List your directory on relevant platforms like Crunchbase, SaaS Hub, Peerlist, Uneed, Microlaunch, etc.
[Self Promo]: If you don't have time, I will be happy to help with Submission part with Boringlaunch. We submit startups to 100+ platforms in 7 days to improve their SEO score, especially new products that need a boost in domain rating, backlinks, and visibility.
Step 7: Wait (Yes, Really)
Patience is the key. Let your directory gain visibility.
Step 8: Track Traffic & Identify Blog Ideas
Monitor which pages get visits. Use this data to create blog topics. For example, if you run a Reddit tools directory and notice users checking out a tool that suggests the best posting times, write a blog on "Best Times to Post on Reddit.
Step 9: Allow Free Submissions (With Some Friction)
Let users submit their tools/products for free while maintaining quality through moderation or approval steps.
Step 10: Monetize When the Time is Right
If enough people are submitting their products, you can monetize by offering:
Featured listings for better visibility
Sponsored placements for extra exposure
Step 11: If It Doesn't Work, Move On
If you’re not gaining traction, its time to build a new directory and repeat the process.
P.S. Here are few successful directories for your reference:
OpenAlternative
Bluesky Directory
Tool Finder
+50 others
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@gamifykaran This is gold! Thank you for sharing! What do you think about the directory of tech and startup conferences? :)