10 Rules to Get Your Website Listed on DMOZ
Considering that Google still owns more than 70% of web searches in the US, why even bother trying to get listed in the Open Directory Project, or DMOZ? After all, in terms of traffic, the DMOZ itself has very little to offer the average web developer.
The reason why it’s important to get listed in the Open Directory Project is that Google draws upon their data. Websites listed in the DMOZ earn a higher PageRank from Google, scooting DMOZ-lised sites to the top of the Google heap.
Why It Takes So Long to Get Listed on DMOZ
Each DMOZ listing is added by a volunteer, by hand, the old-fashioned way. The number of active volunteers is relatively low. The lack of editors immediately makes the listing process slow, but the main problem is user error.
Instead of the DMOZ, imagine going to your local DMV. For thirty minutes, you wait in line. You happily arrive at the front of the line, only to have a grumpy DMV rep tell you you’re in the wrong place. “Go over there,” she says with a tired wave, and off you go, only to get into another line for another thirty minutes.
This scenario is exactly what happens in the DMOZ. Websites are frequently submitted to the wrong category, or have some other problem with them that keeps them from being accepted.
Fix Your DMOZ Submissions
You don’t need to be one of the DMOZ sob stories. Here are ten steps you should follow to get your website listed at the DMOZ swiftly, the first time around.
1. Cheat – Get a Domain Already Listed
One of the easiest ways to get a new website into DMOZ is to buy a domain name that has recently expired but is already listed within DMOZ.
2: Cheat – Become a DMOZ Editor
It’s relatively easy to become a DMOZ editor. Find the category that you want your website listed in, and volunteer to edit that category. The smaller the category you apply to edit, the more likely it is that you will be accepted as an editor.
This idea is not as unethical as it sounds. You will actually have to work a little bit – you will have to give in order to get. Be a good editor. Don’t lie during the application process unless you want to be found out; it is permissible to DMOZ that you accept your own sites, as long as you are following the DMOZ guidelines. Remain an active, helpful editor to DMOZ, and you can apply to edit other categories, as well, thus allowing you to add your other websites to other categories.
3: Choose Your Category Carefully
As previously mentioned, one of the main reason for listing delays is that website owners don’t choose the best category to apply to. Take the time to choose your category carefully; it will save time in the long-run.
4: Look for Active Editors
However, even if you choose the correct category, if there’s no active editor for that category, you’re going to be waiting an awfully long time for your site to be accepted. At the very bottom of a DMOZ category is a tag that says, “Last updated: [date]”. If the category you’re thinking of applying to hasn’t been updated in a couple of years, the category editor is probably not active.
If there’s no active editor, you have one of two choices: either apply to become an editor of that category, or choose a category that’s being updated regularly.
5: Follow Their Editorial Guidelines
Just like with choosing the correct category, take the time to follow DMOZ’s guidelines. Not doing so can cost you your listing.
6: Avoid Cookie-Cutter Content
If you include too much affiliate content, too much content that’s posted elsewhere, or any content that violates copyright law, your site will probably be rejected.
7: Avoid Bombarding the Site with Submissions
Want to guarantee you’ll be ignored? Be obnoxious. If you’re concerned about your DMOZ submission, click on the editor’s name at the bottom of the page and email them. Rather than bombarding them with multiple submissions, politely ask them what the problem is and if you can do something to help.
8: Avoid Hype in Titles and Descriptions
Remember that you’re not writing marketing copy when you write your site description. Be straightforward, offering an objective description about what your site is, without trying to promote it.
9: Avoid Submission Software
While automated submission software works for some directory and search engine listings, the software is expressly against DMOZ submission guidelines. Sites submitted with the software will definitely be rejected.
10: Whatever You Do, Don’t Pay Someone
If you follow the first nine steps listed above, there’s no reason why your site won’t be included quickly. Paying someone to help you get a DMOZ listing is a waste of money, since getting listed is mostly a matter of common sense.
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