DMOZ directory - little tip

[Lene]

Get your sites listed with DMOZ.
Once you're listed you will get listed in other directories too.
If you go to google and check the directory, that is the DMOZ directory.
http://www.dmoz.com

[kmpisces]

There are over 590,000 categories and sub categories in the DMOZ directory.


Tips on Getting your site accurately placed within the dmoz Directory.

Because dmoz is staffed by volunteer editors, it can often take a while to get your web site included. Here are a few tips to speed things up.

1. Find a category WITH an Editor. First of all, when you reach the category in which you would like to include your web site, scroll to the bottom of the page and find out if it has an 'Editor's' name or handle.... Should you find a text line which says "Volunteer to edit this category," it means the category you have selected has NO direct Editor. Thus, it could take even longer to get your site listed. Find a category WITH an Editor to improve your chances.

2. On the very bottom of each category page you can read the date the last time a page was updated. Very important tip. If it says August 2001, pretty good chance no one is going to be updating that page quickly. Find one with a recent date. It shows someone has actively been updating that category.

3. I found my category but it has no Editor, now What?
Go back to the top of the page and select the next best category or backstroke to the main sub category. All dmoz main categories have 'Meta Editors' which are in charge of several (if not hundreds) of sub categories. Submitting to the general category often gets the Meta Editor to pass it along the line. Bet you didn't know dmoz editors could do that. They often pass or redirect submissions along to each other. I happen to be a dmoz editor and I find my 'inbox' always has several new entries from other Editors of similar categories.

4. Still no luck, now what?
Did you know you are allowed two (yes two) listings within dmoz? The first is subject specific. The second is Geographic. Drill down through the "Regions" portion of the index to find an appropriate category. E.g. business/northamerica/us/ohio Chances are, the regional portion of the database will list your site based upon your country, village, town or city. Enter your listing there.(when you do, don't forget tip #1)

5. Still no luck, now I'm getting frustrated!
Relax. Find the closest category that does have an editor and write them a -very pleasant- email explaining your situation. Most editors I am aware of will write you back. Write a nasty email and you'll get no response. We volunteer our time. They don't pay us to take abuse. You can find how to email an editor by simply clicking on their name at the bottom of the page.

Other tips and suggestions.

6. Read the category description before submitting your site. Yes, more reading. Most Editors have taken the time to write a description for their respective categories and often supply tips and hints for helping to process the submission faster. Suggestions such as "20 words or less," means 20 words or less, not 50, 40 or 30 or 21. Writing long flowing paragraphs for your description defeats the purpose and it might take longer to show up. (if it shows up at all) Why? Because the editor mow has to go and personally review your site to maintain the quality of the database. They must then manually edit your description so it makes sense and fits on the page. Bottom line. You are wasting their time by not adhering to the rules. Remember, these are real people doing the work, not machines. The easier you can make it for them the better. Read the category description first.

7. Recently there has been some inaccurate speculation concerning dmoz Editors which are in charge of categories similar to their own business interests, thus not allowing competitors into the same category. This has always been taken into consideration by dmoz administration. In fact, there are new rules and a review process to address this very issue. Each current dmoz editor (or requests to become an editor) are now required to state which URL's they are personally involved with or work for, especially in business. This 'association' review process will assist dmoz administrators in selecting or rejecting editors from conflict of interest categories. All editors are currently under review.

8. Dmoz is fair. There is no "race to the top" of the listings. You can't buy your way in, nor purchase auctions or paid listings or clickable advertising. You can't hire someone to try and get you a number one listing. Everyone in dmoz is on an equal playing field. The listings are in alphabetical order. It may be argued that sites beginning with "A" get more viewing than those beginning with "Z" but the listings are not presented this way within the search results, so there really is no distinct advantage. You'll only find them in alphabetical order if you drill down through the categories.

9. Why go through all this work to get your site listed in dmoz? It's worth it. At last count dmoz was supplying it's database to over three hundred and twenty two others engines, directories, intranets, and databases. That's pretty good coverage for a free listing.

10. Volunteer to become an Editor. Find out how the project works from the inside. It's been an interesting and rewarding experience for myself and I've gained a much better understanding of how to market more effectively online. It doesn't take much of your time and quite frankly, it's fun.

Source/Article (http://www.metamend.com/article-dmoz.html)

[Lene]

Very interesting article.. Pay particular attention to number 9 :D

[spider2005]

Thanks for this info. I have made several attempts to have my sites listed in DMOZ. But to no avail. I even volunteered as editor. But I still got a stoned cold response from DMOZ.

Anyway I hope the above tips will work time. I'll let you know.