The free web directories update for February 2009 is now live at Info Vilesilencer.

We have begun removing in earnest those directories who have been identified as weakly edited. We introduced the Hydraulic Test in early December, which is a simple test that we can apply to a directory to see if they are adding poorly written site submissions. Unfortunately a large volume of directories failed this simple test, which indicates that the vast majority of directories aren’t good enough to be listed on Info Vilesilencer. We will remain vigilant in only adding directories who have an editorial guideline in place that they actually follow.

We’ve created a forum thread to give you an idea of how many poorly edited directories we removed/rejected from Info Vilesilencer. We have also identified a disturbing new trend, where a large number of Indian Flower Spam sites are being submitted to directories, and actually accepted. This is very concerning as it points to many of these directories who are claiming to be high quality; hand-edited; manually reviewed to be anything but these qualities.

The list therefore, with us crusading against these poor directories, is actually decreasing in size. We are hovering around the 300-mark for the general free web directories.

We have also gone through and done some major clean-up and addition on the following niche directory lists:

• Blogs Directories List
• Travel Directories List
• Canadian Directories List

To get your directory listed, please read the three forum posts linked to above and ensure that you are not currently listing those types of sites. If you pass the test, then you need to register as a member and then login before you can submit your directory for consideration into the lists.

Please be aware that we are being extremely strict in regards to the free general directories category so if you aren’t editing listings, we will notice, and you won’t get listed. Yes, we are that strict. That’s why the Info Vilesilencer list is still considered the best.