difference between a web directory

[solomona]

What's the difference between a Web directory like Yahoo and a Web search engine like Google?

[marissa jasmine rose]

Two web directory has no difference, because Yahoo and Google is a web directory that helps businesses find something website, the information by using keyword .. But now, Goggle is more famous than Yahoo .....

[DigitalLinx]

You are confusing yourself with the question..
Yahoo is a search engine too, but the actual directory of Yahoo is at dir.yahoo.com where many websites are listed, for which they have been paid to list, and listing in the directory helps in ranking better in the yahoo search engine that is at yahoo.com

Google too has a directory at directory.google.com and similarly rankings are effected by listing in the directory, but getting into the google directory is free and not available for every website, but just for websites that deserve the inclusion.
So don't get confused between the directory and search engines.

Both yahoo and Google have search engines and directories, which are different parts totally.

[r0y1993]

Directories lists websites and businesses sometimes at a fee. Search engines are obviously free to get into but they include more things like videos, inner pages of websites, and more stuff.

It does help to be listed in many directories as it slightly helps your PageRank of your site and the rankings of it on search engines.