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Are no more for the time being as they have decided to disable a few of the advanced operators such as link:, linkdomain:, and inurl:.

For the time being, you can still access the results via HotBot.com if you are interested.

We are flattered, but…
For those of you who use some of the advanced query syntax in our search engine such as link:, linkdomain: and inurl:, you may have noticed that this functionality has been recently turned off. We have been seeing broad use of these features by legitimate users but unfortunately also what appears to be mass automated usage for data mining. So for now, we have made the tough call to block all queries with these operators.

We are doing our best to get this back online as soon as possible in a manner that allows folks that use this functionality for real queries. We have a few good ideas up our sleeve on how to enable this, but want to make sure we are making the right changes that will give you the functionality you want and all of our customers the experience they deserve. Our apologies and thank you for being patient. Keep an eye on our blog for updates.

Eytan Seidman

Lead Program Manager, Live Search

A new project we’re overseeing in an attempt to improve the overall quality of the index as well as it’s visibility and interest is the Link Book Web Directory.

It’s a general topic web directory which currently utilizes a popular directory script and a free template. Starting out as a free web directory had its pitfalls, and one of the most noticeable problems we’ve encountered is webmasters trying to take advantage of a fresh index by submitting anything and everything anywhere and everywhere.

The number of multiple submissions of the same URL utilizing a different title or description is interesting, and has given me a different view of some of the webmasters I’m acquainted with. We’re running some simple SQL queries to locate and delete the multiple listings; the worse offender has had almost 40 listings for his site(s).

Sites with little content such as eBay and Amazon stores, one page eBook sites, affiliate driven sites, pharmaceutical sales and adult entertainment affiliates are being removed. MFA sites are slowly getting weeded out as well, as these sites offer little useful original content.

I don’t see that this may have been a problem as I seriously doubt there was any harm to having those sites listed. We hope that we’re able to have the majority  of these sites removed before the new pages are fully indexed.

Anyway, a new logo is in the works to go with a customized template from Shabu Anower at OSDesigner.net. It’s a variation of the StoneFlash template, which is simple and functional. We’re looking to place the emphasis on our content - your listing.

URL rewrite wasn’t in use, so that was one of the first changes, and we’re renaming the category paths and hope these new pages get indexed and the old pages drop out within a reasonable amount of time.

Some titles and descriptions will be updated to conform to basic guidelines, some of the titles and descriptions are nothing but hype and of little use to some one browsing the directory. If anyone is unhappy after we edit their listing, please feel free to contact us and we’ll have it permanently removed from the index.

We will be manually adding quality sites in categories to provide our visitors with a positive experience, I know how much I dislike using a directory with few or poor quality listings.

We’re also accepting user submitted sites which are subject to a nominal review fee. Featured Listings are available for web sites owners who want the maximum exposure that a directory listing can provide.

Please feel free to stop by to check out Link Book Web Directory. We hope you notice the positive changes we’re making.

We all have a list of favorite directories we use to jump start our latest projects or clients sites; established web directories such as DMOZ, Yahoo!, BOTW and Business.com are usually at the top of any serious marketer’s campaign.

A number of popular second tier directories that come to mind include Wow Directory, Skaffe and GoGuides, these directories provide quality indexes consisting of manually reviewed and edited web sites, and confer some measure of trust.

While we’re all impressed with or have some respect for the directories mentioned above, one other directory has really caught my attention: Aviva Directory. Aviva is a rapidly growing quality directory, and in my opinion will move ahead of some of the well known second tier directories by years end.

Besides accepting user submitted sites for a nominal annual fee, Aviva also adds quality, authoritative listings and will provide a positive user experience as the size of their index grows, which has just passed 9K listings across a little over 1100 categories.

A small editorial staff is now onboard building out new and existing categories and their hard work is being noticed. Just take a look at their Latest Additions. Good job, folks!

Many directory owners whom rely strictly on user submissions to build their directories may eventually find themselves behind the eight ball, with Aviva on the other side chalking up for another round. Recruiting an editorial staff was a positive move that will pay dividends in the future.

Many self taught webmasters are too easily influenced by PageRank™, and unknowingly equate a directory listing’s value primarily on an outdated graphical display of a browser add on. While they may be easily entertained, I’m more impressed with the growth of Aviva in a manner that will provide a permanent benefit to the Internet community.

For example, eWebPages.org was recently voted as the PHPLD directory with the best content for the month of February, but it’s quite evident that if Aviva was eligible, they wouldn’t have had a chance.

Aviva definitely provides a quality link and citation for listed sites, and should be a consideration for your link development

While those familiar with Aviva’s history are impressed with the ongoing marketing campaign and accomplishments thus far, it’s hard to not see the bigger picture and the true meaning of “Aviva Delivers!”