Directories are rims of internet. There are hundreds of directories are online. Many SEO use directories as key part of their link building as you can get permanent one way links from them.
DMOZ.org and Yahoo are two most popular human edited directories. Human edited directories means each of site are reviewed by human hands before it listed,
Use of web directories
web directories are something like yellow pages. It will provide a sound platform for both visitors and advertisers/webmasters.
Directory for visitor: you can find any website easily if directory is categorized by topics. Most of directory are categorized, to sort out each website easily for visitors. Just pick your category you want to search sites and you can easily find website listed in particular category.
Directory for webmasters/Advertisers: As webmasters always look for traffic on their websites. Directories can help them to provide return traffic if you’re listed in particular directories. Also Many SEO Considers them as it will give permanent directory link from suitable category and that helps for improving rankings of particular websites. There are also many industry specific directories available (Niche directories.)
There are hundreds of directories available on internet, but it is not much difficult to find quality directories. Quality directories Generally links good quality website and generally dedicated to provide something to humanity.