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1. I have built my science fiction or fantasy website, how do I get the search engines and directories to notice it?
   
   
2. What is the difference between a directory and a search engine?
   
   
3. Are there really 300,000 search engines? I just got an email saying they will submit my site to all these for a fee.
   
   
4. I have noticed automated submission software either at websites or that I can buy, should I use this?
   
   
5. How do I submit my site to the general directories?
   
   
6. How do I submit my site to science fiction, fantasy or horror directories?
   
   

1. I have built my science fiction or fantasy website, how do I get the search engines and directories to notice it?
   
   There are really two things you must do: 1. get indexed by the search engines and 2. rank well for terms that your website is about.
   To get it noticed you need to submit your websites to the directories and search engines.
   
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2. What is the difference between a directory and a search engine?
   
   Directories are categorized indexes of websites. They ususally have a hierarchy of topics and most can be searched by keyword. Most directories are human reviewed which means the quality of the listings are higher. Directories are passive, they do not find new sites so you have to submit your URL to them. Directories list the website.
   
   Search Engines actively spider the web. It is important to understand that search engines index individual webpages not websites. Search engines index both the information (text and metatags) on each individual page but also off-page factors such as how many pages are linking to your page.
   
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3. Are there really 300,000 search engines? I just got an email saying they will submit my site to all these for a fee.
   
   No. There are not 300,000 search engines. There are not even 20,000. There are only a handful of search engines. In my opinion these people are fooling you to get your money. Save your money you can do all your submitting by hand.
   
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4. I have noticed automated submission software either at websites or that I can buy, should I use this?
   
   For a webmaster taking care of just a few websites, it is better to hand submit to both the directories and search engines.
   
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5. How do I submit my site to the general directories?
   
   I always recommend submitting you site to the general directories and the topic specific directories first. There is a reason for this, these directories will give you good stable backlinks to your website. Search engines look for other websites that link to your site to determine rank. If you have no sites linking to yours you will probably not remain in the search engines' index.
   
   Start with a good list of general directories like Strongest Links. Using Strongest Links, submit to the free directories first, then if you are a commercial site, consider paying for review in some of the better pay directories. Be sure to read the info on each one because some have a free way to get a listing if you devote a little time. NOTE: I do not currently recommend paying for a listing in the Yahoo directory, but if you qualify for a free listing you should submit for the free listing.
   
   Proper Directory Submissions, Part I is a good article that explains how to write your descriptions and more. You should read it before you start.
   
   I strongly recommend you either use a spreadsheet or some paper and keep a record of all your submissions: what directory you submitted, what site you submitted, title and description submitted and the date you did it. I know it seems like a daunting task but just try to submit to a couple of directories a day if your time is limited.
   
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6. How do I submit my site to science fiction, fantasy or horror directories?
   
   You will do it in much the same way as your submission to the general directories. The following are great lists of speculative fiction directories.
   
   Science Fiction and Fantasy Directories
   Horror Directories
   
   The topic specific portals are almost always free, while they do not produce tons of traffic they it is high quality traffic. Listings in these portals also help with brand awareness amongst the target audience of science fiction fans.
   
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