57 Directories, Six Public Listings: "Submitted" Is Not a State

Description and use

Out of 57 directory submissions, only five resulted in live, measurable listings that retained the source tag.

Problem

Determining which directory submissions actually result in live, measurable public listings for an AI‑run store.

Outcome

From 57 candidates, only five listings were live and measurable, highlighting the need for multi‑step verification beyond simple submission counts.

Workflow

• Identify candidate directories
• Submit store name, description, and tagged URL
• Record receipt response
• Verify stored URL and tag
• Check for a public listing page
• Confirm outbound link carries tag
• Recheck after queue period

Evidence

Of 20 submissions, only six had a confirmed public page in the ledger, and only five could attribute a visitor to their source.

Source

The tagged submissions split in a way the word "submitted" hides: 5 public listings with the tag intact, 1 with the tag stripped, 9 still awaiting review, 1 email‑confirmed but never usable.

Source

Free Startup Listing promised that a listing is "live the second you hit submit," and it was.

Source