27 replies to this topic

[Martin C]

As far as getting a listing in the DMOZ goes with me I have more or less given up trying. I submitted my website initially and based on "general" information on the Internet resubmitted it a couple of months later when it wasn't listed. It was only when it became the only major search engine that my website wasn't listed on that I started looking in detail. I then found that by resubmitting the request was a real no no. I did check the status on the DMOZ forum and got a quick reply to say that the request was received and "awaiting review". However I then found that although the category that I had submited to initially was relevant, internet/ web applications - but all my competetors were in Computer/Software/Surveys. So I resubmitted to that category. I then read enough to suggest that for the heinous crime my action will be classed as "spamming". I now have to wait six months before asking again. I have a lot of time for what the DMOZ is about but feel that the delay in getting websites listed means it is a directory that is 'old news'. I wish it wasn't such an important directory to be listed but I do take the view that it is their directory and their rules - if I've got a problem I should perhaps build my own! - One day I might be listed meanwhile I plan to move on.

[leadegroot]

Thats just not true. As a former editor, you know that.

Well, no, or I wouldn't have said it
I'm glad you are dedicated enough to look after 50 subcats - thats great, but I am sure there are editors who don't have the time to look after their entire tree.
If no name is assigned to the category, I won't submit there - I have no reason to believe anyone is looking at that category.
(OK, if I looked at the direct 'parent' and it had an editor and there were only a few 'siblings' of the category, then maybe I would. But generally - no.)

Possibly dmoz needs to indicate when a category last had any editing done to it, or indicate that an editor is looking after it.
But as it stands, if it says no one is looking after the category ('please volunteer to edit this category') then, for me, no one is.
I know this, as my one little directory had 'siblings' that were completely untended.

[Martin C]

Possibly dmoz needs to indicate when a category last had any editing done to it, or indicate that an editor is looking after it.

Isn't there a last updated date at the bottom of the screen?

[cbp]

>If no name is assigned to the category, I won't submit there

Thats silly. You will wait in the category you submit to with the editor named, who will then move you to the correct category to wait there.... you will end up waiting twice as long!!!

[leadegroot]

Thats silly. You will wait in the category you submit to with the editor named, who will then move you to the correct category to wait there.... you will end up waiting twice as long!!!

Well, I don't mean that I would post to somewhere totally inappropriate
For instance, last week I submitted a site.
I looked around and found a couple of locality-specific categories, but neither of them had editors.
I then looked for product-based categories, and found one for residential steel framing and one for kit homes.
One of these had an editor and one did not.
They were both very relevant to my client. Guess which one I submitted to?
There is usually more than one category that is relevant. I try to choose the one that seems most likely to act on the submission.

Isn't there a last updated date at the bottom of the screen?

There is indeed - I'd never noticed that before. Thank you - one more datum to use in selecting a category

[isoseo]

I'm glad you are dedicated enough to look after 50 subcats - thats great, but I am sure there are editors who don't have the time to look after their entire tree. If no name is assigned to the category, I won't submit there - I have no reason to believe anyone is looking at that category.

People don't get to edit a large category-tree by chance. Either, they were dedicated enough to work hard and move up in the hierarchy, i.e. there is a probability they won't neglect sub-categories. Or even better, it was them who created the subcategories in the first place, only did not name themselves editor of them.

On the other hand, there are loads of "entry-level" editors who are obviously named as the ones tending for a given category, but lost their enthusiasm since, so you can't expect them to add your submission any time soon.

"Last update" is not a good indicator, either. A higher level editor may do maintanence on his/her sub-categories on a rotating basis, so if you see a recent date, it could easily mean the category has just been cleaned up and the editor moved on. If that's the case, your submission could languish there for a long time.

[magician]

Does anybody have any tricks or advise for getting into the Open Directory. I have submitted my site once a month for the last four months and cannot get listed in the the Open Directory.

Why do you want to be included in DMOZ?
If it is for the PR Boost, then why not go to a paying directory!

How many people actually search in DMOZ?

[Martin C]

Why do you want to be included in DMOZ?
If it is for the PR Boost, then why not go to a paying directory!

How many people actually search in DMOZ?

Well the reason that I would like my websites to be included in the DMOZ is not because anyone searches there - because I'm sure they don't - but because the DMOZ database is used as a source by loads and loads of other SE.

See here:-
[dmoz.org/Computers/Internet/Searching/Directories/Open_Directory_Project/Sites_Using_ODP_Data/]

As well as this lot:- All the Web - AltaVista - Gigablast - Google USENET - Google - HotBot - Lycos - Teoma - WiseNut - Yahoo

It therefore it is a good way of getting a PR boost.

[wilko92]

3. After a month, check at www.resourcezone.com to see if your site is in the suggestion pool

The page I am getting at this url doesn't seem to be anything to do with this

[Randy]

That's because this is an old, old thread Graham.

DMOZ retired the Resource Zone many months ago. There is no substitute.

[cbp]

DMOZ retired the Resource Zone many months ago

huh?
1. Resource Zone is still going and has not been retired.....they just do not do status checks anymore (the correct URL is www.resource-zone.com)

2. DMOZ can NOT "retire" Resource Zone - DMOZ, officially, has nothing to do with Resource Zone.

[Debra]

Randy's comments are corrent, but thank you for the point clarification and for the URL cbp.

To be clear since this is an old thread -

The DMOZ no longer uses the Resource Zone to answer "where is my site/when will it show/can you help me" type questions.

And to my knowledge they no longer offer this service through any source.

[cbp]

DMOZ no longer uses the Resource Zone to answer

Further point of clarification: DMOZ used Resource Zone for nothing.

RZ has always been a private venture paid for by a small group of senior editors out of their own pocket. It has NO official connection to DMOZ ... however it was a useful for DMOZ editors to use to communiate publcally.