Why Can't I Find Myself in DMOZ?
One of the top questions asked by our clients is “Why Can’t I find my site in DMOZ?” Also known as the “Open Directory,” DMOZ is one of the web’s oldest directories and a link from it conveys a good value in the eyes of search engines like Google. Unfortunately, the DMOZ directory is infrequently updated and some people have not seen a submission approved after years of waiting.
Several factors are at work in DMOZ listings. First, a person needs to submit the listing to the proper category. Each category has its own editor and there may be a more relevant category unknown to the submitter. If an editor gets a submission for what is perceived to be the wrong category, the submission will get forwarded to the “right” category. The submission, even though it is from another editor, ends up at the back of the queue.
Second, not all editors update their listing categories, and some editors may have a financial stake in not allowing new listings. For instance, you may be selling fishing rods and your competitor may secretly be the editor of the fishing accessories category. DMOZ tries to prevent this from happening, but there is no easy way of establishing for whom an editor may work. Furthermore, editors may not be diligent in reviewing all of the listings requests they get, or there may be a backlog of requests ahead of yours, all of which need to be reviewed by hand. Because questionable sites have been submitting themselves to DMOZ, much of this backlog could consist of “junk” submissions.
Finally, there is some indication that a resubmission request for a website actually cancels out the original submission. Therefore, a request that was 1 year in process will end up at the back of the line when a new submission request is made. Assuming that an editor is reviewing the category, the request is now at the back of the line.
With DMOZ, we have found that inclusion has become the exception and not the rule. Normally we recommend submitting only the most basic information about your site, without any superlatives or “sales oriented” language. When choosing the category, first look for any other relevant categories. One way to do this is to search for your competition on DMOZ, and see if they come up in a category that is similar to yours. In the absence of a DMOZ listing, Web.com Search Agency highly recommends other directory link building which is more immediate. Submission to the Yahoo directory is good for SEO, costs $299 per year, and even brings some physical visitors. While we believe that DMOZ listings can have a good positive impact on web rankings, the 2+ year wait for approval is beyond the SEO expectations of our clients.
Special note: some companies claim to have "guaranteed DMOZ placement" for a price. This would appear to violate DMOZ terms and conditions by giving priority in exchange for monetary compensation. If you decide to go with such a service, be sure your method of payment is waiting in escrow or can be charged back if you don't get the results you are looking for.
Several factors are at work in DMOZ listings. First, a person needs to submit the listing to the proper category. Each category has its own editor and there may be a more relevant category unknown to the submitter. If an editor gets a submission for what is perceived to be the wrong category, the submission will get forwarded to the “right” category. The submission, even though it is from another editor, ends up at the back of the queue.
Second, not all editors update their listing categories, and some editors may have a financial stake in not allowing new listings. For instance, you may be selling fishing rods and your competitor may secretly be the editor of the fishing accessories category. DMOZ tries to prevent this from happening, but there is no easy way of establishing for whom an editor may work. Furthermore, editors may not be diligent in reviewing all of the listings requests they get, or there may be a backlog of requests ahead of yours, all of which need to be reviewed by hand. Because questionable sites have been submitting themselves to DMOZ, much of this backlog could consist of “junk” submissions.
Finally, there is some indication that a resubmission request for a website actually cancels out the original submission. Therefore, a request that was 1 year in process will end up at the back of the line when a new submission request is made. Assuming that an editor is reviewing the category, the request is now at the back of the line.
With DMOZ, we have found that inclusion has become the exception and not the rule. Normally we recommend submitting only the most basic information about your site, without any superlatives or “sales oriented” language. When choosing the category, first look for any other relevant categories. One way to do this is to search for your competition on DMOZ, and see if they come up in a category that is similar to yours. In the absence of a DMOZ listing, Web.com Search Agency highly recommends other directory link building which is more immediate. Submission to the Yahoo directory is good for SEO, costs $299 per year, and even brings some physical visitors. While we believe that DMOZ listings can have a good positive impact on web rankings, the 2+ year wait for approval is beyond the SEO expectations of our clients.
Special note: some companies claim to have "guaranteed DMOZ placement" for a price. This would appear to violate DMOZ terms and conditions by giving priority in exchange for monetary compensation. If you decide to go with such a service, be sure your method of payment is waiting in escrow or can be charged back if you don't get the results you are looking for.
Labels: dmoz, dmoz submission, search engine optimization, seo
posted by Patrick Hare at
8:02 AM
2 Comments:
I am an editor of a very small category on the DMOZ. It seems to me that the biggest problem with DMOZ is that there are so few editors trying to handle a mountain of submissions. Unfortunately, it is tricky to get "permission" to expand your categories.
After being an editor for about two years I began noticing that many, many categories no longer had editors. I decided it was time to pick up some additonal small, local cats. I believed that I had edited well, following DMOZ guidelines and did not think for one minute that I would be turned down. But I was turned down for a local category that had less than 100 listings/links. Of course, I took a look at the categories of the person who told me I wasn't good enough for this small category and did not find any discernable difference between her links and my own. I have a Masters degree, have been a teacher, have held upper management positions. I am now self-employed and own my own company. All of the writing for my website, brochures, PPTs, articles is done by me. I have also edited some product manuals for other companies. All of this writing and editing must be concise and to the point- nothing even approaching "flowery" here. But, I'm not good enough for the DMOZ- according to this one little Meta Editor. I'm pissed off and you should be too. Your submission may be sitting in that very category.
I really dont understand if DMOZ is so difficult in giving new listing then why does google give it so much importance.This is very unfair for new sites.The main aim should be make good sites accesible to web visitors when they are searching .Most of the times,useless sites find way to the top and good sites are lost in the heap.
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