51 replies to this topic

[compar]

And please don't anyone suggest applying as an editor in this category, even though the DMOZ site says they're looking for an editor there. I'm given to understand that I'd have to supply them with three site suggestions related to the category. Aside from the band's site and the one fan-created site that's already listed, there aren't three other sites that are worth listing, and I refuse to suggest sites I know to be crap in an effort to get the site I'm working with listed. I'm not knowledgeable enough about the next level category up (blues bands starting with the letter "S"), nor do I have enough interest in becoming that knowledgeable, to make applying at that level a worthwhile endeavour.

If I'm going to apply as an editor, I'd like it to be for a category that I'm interested in. No point in signing up if you're not going to work, and no point in doing the work if you're not interested in the topic. That's my philosophy, at least. YMMV.

--Torka

I worked as an editor on DMOZ years ago and I worked diligently and responsibly. As an editor the biggest problem I saw was people submitting to the wrong category. So I spent half my time forwarding the submissions to the correct category.

I can't remember all the detail but I think I asked for a different or additional category and got rejected without explanation. Since then I have applied to be an editor again at least once and was either totally ignored or rejected. I don't understand their criteria for editorship but it appears to be as difficult to become an editor as it does to submit a site.

We have been talking in another thread about artificial SEO practices that have nothing to do with making life better for the viewer, but only to do with improving SE rankings. Not withstanding projectphp's vigorous defense of DMOZ, our continued attempts to force our sites into DMOZ seem to be a case in point.

[mopacfan]

Has anyone else been having trouble connectiing to DMOZ. I've been sick the last couple of days, I started having problems reaching their site last week. I've tried twice today and get the dreaded page cannot be displayed error.

Here is a very good (and long) thread between dmoz staff and generally p.o. users. This may give some insight as to why dmoz is faltering so badly.

[mopacfan]

I found a link to the dmoz blog and I wanted to share it with everyone.

[SearchRank]

Quote from ODP Blog - Welcome to the ODP weblog. This is a blog written by ODP editors to inform the general public about news of any important events happening in the world of the ODP that others may be interested in.

This is good but I sure wish they'd spend their time and resources getting caught up on the large backlog of sites rather than spend their time in web logs and forums. Maybe then, there would be no need for these things!

It seems almost next to impossible to get a site listed anymore.

[mcanerin]

I have no doubt that the problems DMOZ is facing is in part the reason why Yahoo changed their directory search tune a while ago and started using a Google feed.

It sounds like a great idea, but I think in practice it's an administrative nightmare - I mean, there are BILLIONS of web pages out there. A centrally planned economy sounds pretty good on paper too - it's people that mess it up. Lots of them.

At this point, DMOZ appears to be a victim of it's own success. It's so popular that it's looks like it's being crushed, and what used to be a good system for finding good sites is now a feed for old good sites and a black hole for new ones.

In short, like an old textbook, it may be relevant and useful, but it's not current and should not be relied upon.

Ian

[Leann_Pass]

In the same boat, tried several times over the last 2 days to submit a site to the DMOZ and keep getting an 'access denied' on submission.

Thought it was my computer until I saw these posts =)

[marybetht]

Why does this directory get so much attention when they are so difficult to deal with and they take FOREVER to list your site? I know many search engine directories use their results, but still, I'm surprised by DMOZ's popularity.

Mary Beth

[Jill]

Because, as Scottie pointed out in this thread, they are Google's directory of choice. Plus, a link in dmoz is a link in all of it's hundreds of directories across the Web.

Jill

[SearchRank]

Why does this directory get so much attention when they are so difficult to deal with and they take FOREVER to list your site?

They haven't always been difficult to deal with - really only in the last year. This is probably due to the fact that search engine marketing itself has become increasingly popular which in turn has brought about a rapid increase in submissions to that directory, unfortunately many of which are spam.

It used to be that you could easily get a site listed in DMOZ in 1 - 3 months. Now I think they are just completely overwhelmed with all the spam that is submitted and until they can build in some filtering type of devices, it will probably not get any better.

[marybetht]

SearchRank,

Thanks for the info on the spam I wasn't aware that they received so much.

Jill, I guess I'm a little bit surprised that Google is still using them given the amount of time it takes to get reputable sites into their directory. Maybe Google should buy them out.

Mary Beth

[bdi_research]

DMOZ is also important because one thing search engines can measure to determine a site's ranking is its popularity. That's not just the number of links to your site, but also the QUALITY of those links. Several links from link farms don't have the value (and could bring a spam penalty) as one or two good links. A link from Yahoo!'s directory has weight. So does DMOZ and LookSmart. Search engines consider these directories reliable sources. Hence, a link from their site carries more weight than a link from some small site.

[marybetht]

Hi BDI,

Yeah, I understand the importance of link popularity and it's importance, especially one from DMOZ. Just don't understand how DMOZ stays popular when their response time is so slow and it's hard to even get a response from them as to when my submissions might get submitted. Imagine if Yahoo did this, people would be pissed off and probably eventually stop submitting to Yahoo. I know the editors work for free (might be the problem), and the listings are free, but I still feel like it's bad customer service, just my opinion.

Mary Beth

[Jill]

It's free, they don't need any customer service. Basically, you get what you pay for.

And we don't really have a choice. It's important to be there, so it's important to submit.

Jill

[marybetht]

I totally agree, you do get what you pay for, which is waiting months and months for submission, just don't agree with their philosophy. MB

[marybetht]

I've been having a similar discussion in the thread that is pinned at the top of this category. If DMOZ were a real business with paid employees I think they'd be outta business by now.

It sounds like a great idea, but I think in practice it's an administrative nightmare

I totally agree.

Mary Beth