Getting listed with dmoz

[The Old Sarge]

I am a drop shipper, but I have original pages and original content as well. Should I submit to dmoz?

When you say you are a drop shipper, do you mean you do the actual shipping or that you use a supplier that drop ships what you sell? There's a big difference as far as DMOZ/ODP is concerned.

And remember, everyone ... DMOZ/ODP is a directory ... not a listing service for webmasters. It is not even intended to be an SEO tool. Many have chosen to use it as such (including Google itself), but that was NEVER its intent or purpose. Its stated purpose is to serve web users ... as in "the visitors to your site." I dare say that DMOZ/ODP is still the largest directory in existence. Do you suppose Google would continue to use it if it wasn't?

[marksmatter]

You guys should consider becoming an editor. It is not that hard to do, provides a valuable service, and as long as you are fair and impartial, allows you to list your site (assuming it meets the criteria for listing). Sites are normally not listed because they either do not meet quality guidelines, or because there is no editor specifically assigned to that category (but there are editors who "could" edit that category if they wanted or had the time). Volunteering would allow you to overcome the latter, if that is indeed the case.

[marc77]

You guys should consider becoming an editor.

Good point, DMOZ really lacks of good editors (not just such trying to get their own sites listed ;-)

Many (many) years ago I also have been participated at DMOZ as an editor, but due to lack of time I was forced to stop my activities there. As far as I can remember, being an editor is not a hard job (it's like being a super moderator...), but you can help a great community for sure.

So if you have time and are interested in, take the chance.

[Rudy1211]

There does not seem to be a "time frame" from submission to actual inclusion in DMOZ. We have submitted a site that took over a year to be added and another site was added one month after it was submitted. You mentioned, "submitted maybe 4 times in that period" and I remember from the past that if a site was resubmitted, it would get pushed down the query list so-to-speak. So, it may be a good idea to not submit again and to wait. As some have stated, DMOZ submissions are edited by volunteer editors and many may have a long list of sites to edit. In addition, some categories do not have assigned editors, which may cause a backlog. As the DMOZ is a free directory, it may be a good idea for all to be patient, appreciate the fact that submission and review is still free, and hope for the best.

[winforlife]

i would try resending as the volunteer editor for your category may have an inbox full of junk and hes just not on top of it?

[Bill Engvall]

Honestly speaking DMOZ is itself an obsolete directory and I don’t consider it any more. Previously I had submitted many websites but none of them came up on DMOZ and most of them are more than 2 years old.

[The Old Sarge]

If DMOZ is obsolete, why does Google still use it over all other directories ... including its own?

Simple answer: Because DMOZ is the largest, most comprehensive, human-edited directory on the Internet. Period.

Those that hate and/or degrade it do so primarily because they either:

1. Do not understand what it does and how it operates, or

2. They cannot get their site listed because it does not meet DMOZ guidelines for listing... or

3. Because they attempt to twist DMOZ into something it never purported to be, never will be, and refuses to be intimidated into being ... or

4. Some combination of all three of the above.

[siotw]

The value of DMOZ is so completely overblown. There are loads of highly authoritative sites that can't get into DMOZ, not because of their value or relevance, but because editors can't handle all the submissions. How authoritative do you think Google really sees this antiquated relic? Get over it already.

Submit it for inclusion and move on.

[The Old Sarge]

How authoritative do you think Google really sees this antiquated relic?

Enough that Google still uses DMOZ site descriptions in Google serps.

And as long as human editors keep updating, it's not yet antiquated.

Submit it for inclusion and move on.

Excellent advice.

[siotw]

Pulling meta data from DMOZ simply means that Google trusts the Meta Descriptions from DMOZ editors more than they do the site owners. Doesn't mean that getting a link in the directory will provide a huge boost in your rankings. It may help slightly, but not nearly as much as people think it does.

"And as long as human editors keep updating, it's not yet antiquated." Given the rate of the updates by overburdened editors, "yet" is arguable.

IMHO, DMOZ listings are a bit of "wives tale" on the Web. Don't waste your time fretting over how to get in. If you really, really want to get in the Directory, the only logical way to do so without waiting for years is to become an Editor.

Just saying...

[The Old Sarge]

Pulling meta data from DMOZ simply means that Google trusts the Meta Descriptions from DMOZ editors more than they do the site owners.

DMOZ does not have access to the sites META. The descriptions written by DMOZ editors are not carried as META in any code I know of.

Doesn't mean that getting a link in the directory will provide a huge boost in your rankings.

I never said it does and I don't believe it does.

It may help slightly, but not nearly as much as people think it does.

Correct. But Google still lends credibility to DMOZ ... as per my other post.

"And as long as human editors keep updating, it's not yet antiquated." Given the rate of the updates by overburdened editors, "yet" is arguable.

Do you have information you'd like to share on what that rate might be? I don't even DMOZ itself keeps track.

IMHO, DMOZ listings are a bit of "wives tale" on the Web. Don't waste your time fretting over how to get in.

Excellent advice. DMOZ is often "used" for purposes it never invisioned for itself and almost daily tries to set the record straight. Many webmasters don't seem to get that through their skulls.

If you really, really want to get in the Directory, the only logical way to do so without waiting for years is to become an Editor.

I disagree. If you want the best shot at getiting listed with DMOZ, make a site that meets DMOZ listing criteria and populate it with content usefull to your visitors. If your primary goal is e-commerce, your site better sell something not available on a million other sites.

[siotw]

I misspoke about the meta data descriptions for DMOZ. I'm participating in about a half dozen other discussion on several other forums so I got crossed up on that. I apologize for the misinformation.

What I meant to say was that the DMOZ editors descriptions are more trusted than the Meta Descriptions from site owners in Google's eyes.

When I said that it "doesn't mean that getting a link in the directory will provide a huge boost in your rankings," for clarification, I wasn't accusing you of saying that, but merely pointing out that most people are looking for a listing in DMOZ for one reason and one reason only... better rankings. Agree/disagree?

I don't have specific numbers about the rate of updating, but in general, would it be fair to say that it's not done swiftly? At a measured pace? Or just really, really slowly?

To your last argument, saying to just "make a site that meets DMOZ listing criteria and populate it with content useful to your visitors" is overly simplified. Yes, your response is by the book, but the reality is there are thousands upon thousands of sites that meet that very critieria you outlined that are submitted to DMOZ that never even get sniffed at by DMOZ editors.

I know several DMOZ editors personally and have some experience with the submission process for clients. As an editor yourself, you might have a different take on the nature of DMOZ. You sound like one that really takes the responsibility seriously and are committed to being of service to your directory's community by allocating the time to do the job. As an outsider, I have a completely different perspective.

While Google admittedly still lends some authority to DMOZ listings, I don't believe it has anywhere near the impact on rankings that most "experts" claim it does, based on the delta in rankings from sites getting listed in DMOZ before and after.

Love the DMOZ, but it just ain't all what it's cracked up to be.

[roban]

I want to thank you all for a very informative thread and especially for taking the time to answer individual points within a post.

I have 2 sites listed with DMOZ and I never submitted them. One is a site for theater for the learning disabled and the other is an arts council. I can only assume that the content was either unique or informative or both. If this is the case then DMOZ nust be scouring the web for interesting content or someone suggested the sites.

[The Old Sarge]

Roban,

As an editor, I try to suggest any good site I happen to find. Of course most of them are not in my particular area or category so I have no control over the actual listing. The sites I find that DO fit one of my categories go into the que and are reviewed for listing as I find the time. The really good ones sometimes get listed on the spot.

Someone evidently found your sites worthwhile and some editor/s agreed. Good job!

[stiffen]

I appreciate the purpose of Dmoz. Unhappily it fails at what it is intended to do. People using it for SEO are the only motivation it is even appropriate. And it is barely significant at with the intention of.