directory-submission

What this skill does

# Channels: Directory Submission

Guides submitting products, tools, or apps to directories and launch platforms.

**On each invocation**: On **first use** in the conversation, output the complete response (Introduction, Importance, Methods, Collaboration Channels, Rules, Avoid, Action). On **subsequent use** or when the user asks to skip (e.g., "just do it", "skip intro", "I already know"), go directly to Action.

Directory submission is a core channel for cold start—see **cold-start-strategy** for full launch planning. Directories offer more than listings: free/paid listings, ad placements, newsletter features, social promotion, and marketing campaigns. Platform types: AI tools (e.g. Taaft), product launch (e.g. Product Hunt), review platforms (e.g. G2), app stores, niche directories.

## Why Directory Submission Matters

*Platform examples are illustrative only. No affiliation, partnership, or endorsement implied.*

| Benefit | Description |
|---------|--------------|
| **Backlinks** | Quality directories pass link equity; improve domain authority and rankings. Focus on high-authority directories (DA 50+); avoid low-quality link farms. |
| **Real traffic & conversion** | Referral traffic from directories converts. ~42% of businesses report increased referral traffic after submission; referral conversion ~1.8% (B2C), 1.1% (B2B), 1.3% (SaaS). Use UTM to track; proper attribution can improve measured conversion by ~23%. |
| **Social proof for brand search** | When users search your brand name, directory listings (e.g. Product Hunt, G2, Taaft) often dominate SERP. Third-party presence signals legitimacy; consumers check 5-7 sources before deciding. Verified badges and consistent NAP across directories boost trust. See **serp-features** for SERP feature types. |

## Current Best Practices

**Quality over quantity.** Mass submission to hundreds of low-quality directories can harm rankings; strategic placement in 10-15 high-quality directories typically yields 15-25% improvement in indexing speed and branded search visibility.

| Practice | Why |
|----------|-----|
| **Prioritize DA/DR 50+** | High-authority directories pass link equity; low-quality link farms risk penalties |
| **Editorial review preferred** | Human-curated directories (vs. automated) carry more weight; Google's Helpful Content Update favors editorially-curated listings |
| **Niche over generic** | Industry-specific directories deliver faster results (30-60 days) and better topical relevance than generic sites (60-120 days) |
| **NAP consistency** | Name, Address, Phone identical across all listings--critical for local SEO |
| **Track submissions** | Document where you submitted, approval status, canonical topics |

**Budget reference**: Small businesses $300-500/mo; enterprises $1,500-3,000/mo for comprehensive programs. Results typically 30-60 days from high-authority directories.

## Initial Assessment

**Read project context first:** If `.claude/project-context.md` or `.cursor/project-context.md` exists, read it. Use sections 1-4, 5, 6, 8, 9 to generate submission content directly--no need to ask the user for info already in the context.

| Context section | Maps to directory fields |
|-----------------|---------------------------|
| 1. Product Overview | Name, one-line, category, pricing model |
| 2. Positioning Statement | Tagline, long description |
| 3. Value Proposition | Key messages, proof points -> Pros |
| 4. Target Audience | Description tone, use cases |
| 5. Existing Website | URL, key pages |
| 6. Keywords | Tags, negative keywords, Primary Task |
| 8. Brand & Voice | Tone, avoid terms, preferred wording — see **branding** for full brand strategy |
| 9. Product Documentation | Features, capabilities -> Other features |

**When context exists**: Generate ready-to-paste submission copy (tagline, short/long description, pros/cons, tags) tailored per platform. Output copy the user can paste into Taaft, Product Hunt, etc.

**When context is missing**: Gather from user's site; **search the web** for pricing, features, competitors, reviews, and any gaps. Then generate.

Identify:
1. **Product type**: AI tool, SaaS, app, Chrome extension, Shopify app
2. **Target directories**: AI tools, product launch, app stores, niche
3. **Readiness**: Landing page, screenshots, description, media kit

## Product / Website Info Required

**Source**: Project context (preferred) or user's site. Each directory needs different fields; prepare a base set, then adapt per platform.

### Standard Fields (Most Directories)

| Field | Typical Spec | Notes |
|-------|--------------|-------|
| **Product name** | 60-80 chars | Consistent spelling across all listings |
| **URL** | Working product/landing page | No redirect chains |
| **Tagline / one-liner** | <=60 chars (Taaft: max 12 words) | Catchy, benefit-focused |
| **Short description** | 150-300 chars | Used by many directories |
| **Long description** | 400-600 chars | For platforms that allow more |
| **Category / Task** | Platform-specific | Match taxonomy (Taaft: Primary + Secondary Tasks) |
| **Keywords / Tags** | 5-10 terms, comma-separated | Natural, no stuffing |
| **Contact** | Email, optional NAP | For verification |
| **Company name** | Legal entity | Some directories require |
| **Promo code** | If applicable | Product Hunt, deal platforms |
| **Other URLs** | Blog, Affiliate Program, FAQ | Optional but useful |
| **API availability** | Yes/No | AI/SaaS directories |
| **Demo video** | URL or file | Many platforms support |

**Platform-specific**: Taaft requires many more fields (icon, main image, demo video, features, models, built-with tools, modalities, pricing, legal URLs, pros/cons, socials, tracking links)--see Taaft section.

### Prepare Asset Tiers

Create multiple versions so you can match each directory's format without rewriting from scratch:

- **One-liner** (<=60 chars): Elevator pitch; "Remote Project Manager Pro" beats "Project Tool"
- **Short** (150-300 chars): Core value + one differentiator
- **Long** (400-600 chars): Problem -> solution story; features + benefits

### Rich Content Base (Build First, Use Everywhere)

Even if a directory form does not require it, build a full reference so you can tailor per platform and for SEO/GEO. **Search the web** when info is missing.

| Section | Content | Use For |
|---------|---------|---------|
| **Definition** | What the product is; category; one-sentence positioning | Intro text, GEO-friendly summaries |
| **Importance** | Why it matters for the target audience; key differentiator | Long descriptions, first comments |
| **Features** | Core capabilities; technical specs; integrations | Taaft, G2, comparison sites |
| **Use cases** | Who uses it; workflows; outcomes | Taaft tasks, niche directories |
| **Solutions** | Problems solved; before/after | Product Hunt, curated lists |
| **Competitors** | Alternatives (e.g. Competitor A, B); how this differs | Comparison sites, G2 |
| **Pricing** | Plans, credits, free tier | G2, Capterra, budget-focused lists |
| **Rules / Avoid** | What to emphasize; what to avoid per platform | Quality control |

### Multiple Versions for Differentiation (SEO & GEO)

**Do not submit identical copy to every directory.** Duplicate content hurts SEO and reduces GEO citation diversity. Generate **at least 2-3 distinct versions** per field (tagline, short, long) so:

- Different directories show different angles
- AI tools and search engines see varied, non-duplicate signals
- Users can pick the best fit per platform or A/B test

| Version | Angle | Best For |
|---------|-------|----------|
| **A** | Feature-led (capabilities, specs) | Taaft, technical directories |
| **B** | Benefit-led (outcomes, use cases) | Product Hunt, creator-focused |
| **C** | Comparison-led (vs. competitors) | AlternativeTo, G2 alternatives |
| **D** | Audience-led (who, workflow) | Niche directories, vertical lists |

## Tailor Per Platform (Different Expression, Different