A minimum word count requirement may seem like an arbitrary addition to submission requirements for an article directory. This particular measure serves a few different purposes for you, your article, and directory sites. It is important to note that different directory sites will have their own minimum word requirements for submission of articles. Ensuring compliance of your articles will mean the difference between their being listed or not.

*Protecting the Directory and Your Article

In fields that involve a lot of text and publications, protecting one’s work is usually of significant importance. A minimum word count lends to protecting the work and the quality of directory sites. By having a low required word count, one may find articles that could just be a rewording of a different article. This may occur even with innocent intentions on behalf of the submitter. If a subject is fairly specific, their article might closely resemble one that already exists. A directory flooded with such articles would not compete well with a directory of full of different, quality information. A comfortable minimum word count will allow users to easily tell the originality of a piece on article directory sites.

*Cutting Down on Spam and Advertising

Article directory sites typically wish to build a repository of interesting information for a user. A minimum word count can force a less honest submitter to have to sink more time into developing a thinly veiled garbage article. Such articles could simply be a bit of information with some advertising slipped in or spam like one would expect to find in their email. A reputable article directory dissuades this sort of behavior through the use of careful screening and minimum word counts.

*Crafting an Article that is Submission Material

Different article directory sites will have differing standards for acceptable submissions. Some basic tips can be followed to increase the chance of acceptance to a variety of article directory sites. Taking the time to view their submission guidelines to ensure your articles are a fit will save you a lot of time and frustration.

**Use a word count of at least 450-500 words. Article directory sites may allow less but this is a very common figure.

**Stay away from advertising in the body of the text. Most directory sites will have a specific place for you to place links in an author box near the end.

**Ensure your articles are original. If you pay a ghostwriter to produce them for you, ensure you have permission from the writer to publish them under your name.

**Stay away from HTML and tag usage in the body of the text. Very few article directories will permit these things in their submissions.

These are but a few points of advice to take when it comes to word counts and articles for submission. Always check the guidelines for submission with whatever article directory sites you intend to use.