Industry · Technology
Build a software and tech directory and run it from your own AI
A technology directory helps buyers compare software, AI tools, agencies or freelance developers. Directories.ai gives you custom fields for pricing, integrations and features, categories by job to be done, and an MCP server so your AI assistant can research, add and refresh entries.
Directories people build in technology
Each of these runs on the same platform. Pick one audience and one area to start; categories and location fields let you widen later.
- AI tools by task (writing, coding, design)
- Vertical software for one industry
- Dev shops and agencies by stack
- MCP servers and integrations
A starting category structure
Categories become your browse pages and your search landing pages, so give each one a unique intro and FAQs.
- By use case
- By integration
- By pricing model
- Open source
- Agencies & consultants
Where the listings come from
Tech directories are usually researched rather than scraped: your AI assistant reads vendor sites and queues entries with propose_discovered_listing for you to approve, or you import a list you already maintain.
Contact details are only filled in from a real source, never guessed.
How a directory like this makes money
Directories.ai charges a flat price per directory and takes no cut of what you earn.
- Featured placement in categories
- Sponsored comparison slots
- Affiliate links to vendor trials
- Paid “verified vendor” profiles
Launch plan
- 1
Create the directory and categories
Describe the niche to your AI assistant and let it set up the category tree. The launch-directory playbook walks through the rest.
create_categoryget_playbook - 2
Populate it with real businesses
Start with the free open-data source, or a Google Business Profile source on your own key, and import by search term and city. Imports land as drafts and never duplicate a business already listed. Records you already hold go in with ingest_listings.
list_listing_sourcesestimate_listing_importstart_listing_importingest_listings - 3
Check quality before publishing
Score every listing, merge duplicates and fix the weakest entries first, then publish in one step.
score_listingsfind_duplicate_listingsset_listings_status - 4
Invite businesses to claim
Send claim invites in daily batches with follow-ups, so owners keep their own details current.
list_claim_outreachinvite_listing_claim
Try asking your assistant
- “Research 30 AI meeting-notes tools and queue them as discovered listings”
- “Add a pricing and integrations field to every listing and fill it from each vendor’s site”
- “Write a “best tools for X” article from the listings in each category”
Frequently asked questions
Can vendors update their own entries?
Yes. Vendors claim their listing and keep pricing and features current.
Can I add custom comparison fields?
Yes. Listings take custom fields, and the import schema shows every field you can fill.
Keep reading
Ready to run your directory with AI?
MCP access is included on the Growth plan. Pay per directory, cancel any time.