15 replies to this topic

[btreloar]

I know how widespread results are in Open Directory, and the value that can provide to a properly listed site. Can anyone tel me about the reach of Zeal in comparison? How valuable is a listing in Zeal in terms of things like (sorry, Jill) link popularity?

[Jill]

From what I understand, Zeal links don't help at all in the link pop. department, or I should say the PageRank dept. as Google doesn't seem to count them as backlinks. At least that's what I remember about Zeal links. I could certainly be wrong about that if anyone has looked more closely at it.

Where Zeal links become highly important is that they currently get you into MSN, in the top, Web Directory results, for free! That's worth a TON. And probably why it's harder than ever to get pages into Zeal that are from a commercial site, even a non-commercial page of the site.

They wouldn't list this forum, for instance, even though it's clearly non-commericial. They wouldn't list my newsletter site either, although it's also clearly non-commercial.

They used to list these types of things awhile back, but they're cracking down and seem to be allowing fewer and fewer of these types of links.

Jill

[Vertster]

I second what Jill said about the value of being listed in MSN, however, I have not had the same problems getting commercial/ non-commercial content listed. In fact I just got some posted last week. I am very surprised they wouldn't accept this forum! But then again maybe the Looksmart guys were not happy with our discussion about them being bought out by Microsoft...

Anyways, well written Zeal listings can send you massive traffic through MSN. The best part is if you get in, the upper zealots don't usually hack up your descriptions like Looksmart does. If you feel the editorial changes are unacceptable, it is pretty easy getting them changed by arguing your case as well, or modifying the site so it conforms to what you want the description to say.

[Jill]

Yeah, I shouldn't go by the fact that they won't list my pages. They have good reason not to like me!

It's good to know that other people are still getting their content in.

Jill

[SearchRank]

From what I understand, Zeal links don't help at all in the link pop. department, or I should say the PageRank dept.

Yeah I haven't seen Google count any backlinks from Zeal or Looksmart either. I have seen them count backlinks from Yahoo, DMOZ and even Business.com but have never seen a Zeal backlink. I don't suppose they crawl that directory as they do the others.

[Vertster]

They have good reason not to like me!

And what would that be, Jill??? :o

[powerofeyes]

Hello searchrank,
Google crawls zeal directory to some extend. Please check this link.
some zeal results
Try similiar queries you can see google crawls zeal,
thanks
vijay

[SearchRank]

Google crawls zeal directory to some extend. Please check this link. some zeal results

Cool!

Still have never seen Google count a Zeal listing as a backlink to a site though. It is still a directory to try to get listed in though if one has a non-commercial site for the benefit of being found in MSN and Looksmart.

[Jill]

They have good reason not to like me!

And what would that be, Jill??? :o

They are owned by LookSmart and I have had some not so kind things to say about them in the past.

[btreloar]

<I have not had the same problems getting commercial/ non-commercial content listed. In fact I just got some posted last week.>

It sounds like Zeal prefers non-commercial sites. Are there any techniques that will get them to view a commercial site more favorably?

Bill

[Vertster]

It sounds like Zeal prefers non-commercial sites. Are there any techniques that will get them to view a commercial site more favorably?

Well I have a couple tips, these are both common sense assumptions on my part. I am not an upper level zealot, and I could be incorrect here, but these have worked for me-


1. Make sure the content you are submitting is unique, adds value to the internet, would be interesting to people doing research, researching a product solution, or interested in your product.

This is very important. If you submit quality content, then you won't set off any alarm bells in the senior reviewers mind.


2. MEMORIZE the editorial policies. Same concept. If you submit a perfectly written description in the correct category, it is less likely to raise eyebrows. If the editor above you has to basically "re- review" the site because your listing doesn't adhere to the editorial policies, you greatly increase the chances of the editor deciding to just trash your submission. Or they may look at your site and decide your content is too commerical in nature, not original enough, etc.

[Jill]

It sounds like Zeal prefers non-commercial sites. Are there any techniques that will get them to view a commercial site more favorably?

Let's remember here that you cannot get commercial sites in Zeal. That's what LookSmart is for.

You can only get parts of a commercial site that are totally non-commercial in through Zeal.

Jill

[IAN]

Not only can you not get a commercial site in, you can't get pieces of a commercial site in of pieces of it are paid for commercial sites in LookSmart.

[powerofeyes]

Hello,
I can see everybody here talks about zeal not allowing commercial sites. I have a doubt please check this query and tell me how these listed sites count to zeal. Are the commercial, non commercial, personal please explain,
zeal directory result
thanks,
VIJAY

[Jill]

Zeal also shows paid listings from LookSmart.

Jill