DMOZ? Is it necessary?

[Debt.tv]

Is it necessary to get your website listed on DMOZ? I've pretty much given up because every site I've submitted has never been listed and I'm not sure why.

Can anybody help me out here?

 

[WebIntellects - Rob]

I was reviewing a potential clients site and I suspect the DMOZ listing may actually be doing them more harm than good.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[codyjames]

I was reviewing a potential clients site and I suspect the DMOZ listing may actually be doing them more harm than good.

Just my 2 cents.

Interesting, what harm is it doing and how did you find out?

 

[snowbird]

As a dmoz editor, I can say quite a bit in regards to this thread that has opened up. But, I will try to keep this as short as possible. DMOZ is not obligated to list your site. When you submit a site, it is referred to as a suggestion. That is all. The editors are all volunteers except for a few paid staff members which are directly employed by AOL since DMOZ is owned by AOL.

The idea of the directory is that the volunteer editors will add sites to the directory that are unique and are considered quality sites. There is a common misconception for those who are suggesting sites to the directory for review. Many people feel their site should be reviewed in a timely manner and many feel they have the right to hear wether or not their site has been approved or rejected and why.

But none of this is true at all. When you suggest a site, you are simply helping the volunteer editors find sites that may be worth while to add to the directory. There is no set amount of time an editor must spend reviewing sites. There is a 99% chance the editor who may actually see your site is a volunteer editor and that editor gets tons of "site suggestions" every day. These editors basically have lives and full time jobs other than editing on DMOZ. The category I edit in has over 10,000 site suggestions. If those who submitted those suggestions just recently expect me to get to theirs anytime soon they are sadly mistaken. Not only that but for every 1,000 sites you review, chances are you will see another 2,000 new suggestions just made.

The concept of the community was great when it was first launched and it still is. But you need to also remember that it is driven by volunteers. So all I can really suggest is that you apply to edit a category to help out.

In regards to volunteer editors selling entry into the directory and the so called corruption a couple of you posted about. Of all the editors it is almost impossible to say that there wont be a few bad apples who joined for the wrong reasons. Just report those editors who you feel are performing such acts. Believe it or not, there are actual cases and investigations that are opened internally to take care of such issues. It was always against the rules for editors to accept bribes. Editors who have been caught taking bribes were usually suspended if not removed as an editor.


This is not an official ODP statement but rather a comment and personal opinion of a volunteer editor.

 

[RogueWriter]

snowbird- Thanks for responding to the thread. What frustrates me is that, for example, the page I have tried to get listed in has not been updated since 2007. So, my competitors get to be listed in this reputable directory, but I do not.

I apply to help out in the niche that I have worked within for 2 decades, and suggest some of my competitors sites that could be included to show my sincerity, and I get rejected, thanks but no thanks, we don't need help.

I even apply to be an editor for my dinky town of 850 people, but nope, they don't need help there, either.

I look at the bottom of the page I am trying to get in, it has not been updated for 3 1/2 years.

And I wonder, are one of my competitors overseeing that page? Because I cannot see the other side, because there is no way to communicate my frustration or to gather a reason for the seeming rejection, I simply do not know if I am being rejected for some technicality, or if I am being rejected by a competitor. One of those reasons I can live with; the other, not so much.

JMO, but if a page has not been updated for 3 1/2 years, then maybe DMOZ should not be rejecting my legitimate offer to help out in my field of expertise.

 

[snowbird]

I am not really sure exactly what category you are applying to. And I do have to admit that I got rejected about 2 or 3 times before being accepted as an editor. What you need to do when applying for editor is follow some of these rules:

1. Make sure the category you are applying to edit has no other categories under it.
2. Make sure the category you are applying to edit has very few sites listed in it.

Those are the 2 main rules for finding the right area to edit. New editors are only approved for very small categories with few sites in them and no sub categories. The idea is that they don't want to give a new editor a category in which they could cause some damage to. You have to earn your trust by building up a category and organizing it, etc.

3. Make sure the category has no other editors. There is no reason to have another editor added to such a small category. Also take a look 1 category up. Sometimes there may be an active editor 1 category up capable of handling both of them with absolutely no problems.

4. If you are asked to disclose any sites you may be affiliated with during the application process, disclose them all. They want to know what sites you own, etc. It is ok to submit one of your sites on the application as one of the sites to add, you just need to disclose it as one of your affiliations.

5. They are VERY strict on guidelines. Make sure you cross every T and dot every I. Make sure the URL, title, and description matches their guidelines. Do not make a description that sounds like a commercial. Do not write descriptions that contain mostly just keywords. Make sure spelling and grammar are 100% accurate. Even the slightest mistake can get your application rejected.

5. Instead of submitting 3 sites on the application, there is a little secret. You are also allowed to mention a site that is already listed in that category that you would like to modify or make a change to. For example maybe there is a site already in the category that has a poorly written description. Or maybe the site no longer exists. I would only recommend doing this secret though for 1 of the 3 since they also like to see what type of content you intend to add to the category as well.

As long as you follow those rules above, you should be able to get accepted as a new editor. I know they make it difficult. Believe it or not, very few editors get in on their first application. But if you are persistent, then they will be able to tell you are willing to be an editor that is willing to be dedicated to the community. Also note the spelling and grammar accuracy applies to all of the application and not only on the 3 site samples.

 

[john orton]

Yes it is important, SEO have no boundaries,so submit and promote your site as much as you can. They all surely benefit you.
Thanks

 

[rkrone]

Submit a listing and forget about it - maybe you'll get lucky. Don't waste any sleep over it if you don't get in.

I agree with this, there are many sites you will submit to, but chances are you won't get all of them accepted.
Some took one of my sites, but not the others, oh well, just keep it up and you will average good links over time.

 

[RogueWriter]

5. Instead of submitting 3 sites on the application, there is a little secret. You are also allowed to mention a site that is already listed in that category that you would like to modify or make a change to. For example maybe there is a site already in the category that has a poorly written description. Or maybe the site no longer exists.

As for my application, it was pretty straight forward and followed the rules. This was a good piece of advice, though, thanks.

 

[Abhinandangarg]

dmoz is best directory but investing time to get listed in dmoz, that isn't good idea. just submit and forget....

 

[Mike244]

Re:

Is it necessary to get your website listed on DMOZ? I've pretty much given up because every site I've submitted has never been listed and I'm not sure why.

Can anybody help me out here?

I have been trying to listing my site into DMOZ since last 2 years but still not get any response from their editor.

 

[mikest]

Is it necessary to get your website listed on DMOZ? I've pretty much given up because every site I've submitted has never been listed and I'm not sure why.

Can anybody help me out here?

It is Not Necessary that each and every site get listed in Dmoz. There are several methods of Submitting Site in Dmoz, As Far as Traffic is concern there are several sites which never get listed in Dmoz, but still have massive Traffic..

 

[seonow123]

If you have done submission in DMOZ and it has approved your site then it is good. If not then don't worry about your search engine ranking. You can do other submission and your site can rank well in search engines.

 

[kevin smith 619]

in past era it is so much important but right now its an optional part just.