Glossary
What is a listing description?
A listing description is the text that describes your product on a directory listing, below the name and tagline. Directories set very different limits, from about 100 characters to several thousand. A good one says who the product is for, what job it does and what makes it different, adapted to each directory's audience.
Limits vary a lot
Across 108 directory submit forms we parsed, description limits ranged from 90 to 5,000 characters, with a median of 1,000. One description can't fit them all. Prepare a short version (about 150 characters), a medium one (about 500) and a long one (about 1,500).
What to include
- Who it's for, in the first sentence.
- The job it does and the result.
- How it's different from the usual way or the main competitor.
- Key features, three to five, in plain words.
- Pricing model: free, freemium or paid.
Adapt per audience
An AI directory audience wants the task and the model behind it. A SaaS directory wants the category and integrations. A developer directory wants the stack and API. Change the first line for each, keep the facts the same everywhere. Consistent facts help search engines and AI assistants describe you correctly.
Common mistake
Pasting your landing page hero. Hero copy is written to be read next to visuals; on its own it's vague. See how to write a directory description.
Example
Short: "Invoice tool for freelancers: send, track and get paid in 40 currencies, free up to 5 clients." Long: the same opening, then three features, the integrations, and pricing, in 1,200 characters.
FAQ
How long should a directory description be?
Fit the directory's limit. Keep a 150, 500 and 1,500-character version ready.
Should I use the same description everywhere?
Keep the facts the same but vary the wording and lead line for each audience.
Can I use keywords in the description?
Use the words your buyers use, naturally. Keyword stuffing gets listings rejected.