Feb 13th 2009 5:31PM
Suggesting Sites: Finding the Correct Category
One of the most confusing steps in the site suggestion process is often the very first one: selecting the category to which you will suggest your site. Editor hiraeth has provided an excellent overview of how to decide.
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This post attempts to provide some help to anyone intending to suggest their website to the Open Directory for possible inclusion. To give your site a good chance of prompt attention by an editor, you should do your best to find the correct category to which to propose it. Many editors have permission to review sites in strictly limited areas of the directory. This means that incorrectly suggested sites may get passed from one editor to another, encountering delay on each occasion. Editors may also be inclined to review correctly submitted sites more speedily, in preference to those where the person submitting the site has not bothered to make an effort, though these will be sent somewhere more appropriate in due course. Here are some tips:
What language is your site in?
The English language part of the directory only includes sites in English or with an English version. For sites in other languages try World. Or look for the "This category in other languages" facility below the main headings.
Is your site of interest only to people living in one area or country?
The Open Directory has extensive cover of local and national sites under Regional. You can navigate in Regional to find the most appropriate geographic region for your site before looking for topical sub-categories. Do not worry if your locality doesn't have the perfect topical sub-category, it will still be the correct place for your site. You can try putting the name of your town or locality into the search box.
Is your site a business site?
Many categories in the Open Directory are for informational sites only. Most categories will have descriptions providing details of the kind of sites accepted. If business sites are not allowed, there is usually a list of related categories that may help, under the heading "See also". Shopping sites should be listed in the correct category in Regional if there is a physical outlet. Online retailers should be listed in the topical category for the area they cover.
Does your site resemble those already listed in the category?
When you think you have found the correct category, check the sites already listed. If they are quite dis-similar to yours, you may be in the wrong place. Read the "Description" of the category. Look at the list of related categories under the heading "See also". These may guide you to a better location.
Can your site be listed in more than one category?
In general, the answer is "No" but there are some exceptions to this rule. Some sites may be included in the main topical category as well as in the Regional category for the locality served. A site with versions in more than one language may be listed in several appropriate categories in World. Please do not suggest your site to multiple categories just because you have difficulty finding the right one.
Stumped?
It's not too surprising, the Open Directory has such a vast array of categories that finding your way around it is difficult, even for editors. Try the excellent DMOZ search facility, entering one or two key words. If you are sure the category you are looking for will be in a particular branch of the Directory, you can search while in that category, restricting the results to its subcategories.
- - - - - - - - -
This post attempts to provide some help to anyone intending to suggest their website to the Open Directory for possible inclusion. To give your site a good chance of prompt attention by an editor, you should do your best to find the correct category to which to propose it. Many editors have permission to review sites in strictly limited areas of the directory. This means that incorrectly suggested sites may get passed from one editor to another, encountering delay on each occasion. Editors may also be inclined to review correctly submitted sites more speedily, in preference to those where the person submitting the site has not bothered to make an effort, though these will be sent somewhere more appropriate in due course. Here are some tips:
What language is your site in?
The English language part of the directory only includes sites in English or with an English version. For sites in other languages try World. Or look for the "This category in other languages" facility below the main headings.
Is your site of interest only to people living in one area or country?
The Open Directory has extensive cover of local and national sites under Regional. You can navigate in Regional to find the most appropriate geographic region for your site before looking for topical sub-categories. Do not worry if your locality doesn't have the perfect topical sub-category, it will still be the correct place for your site. You can try putting the name of your town or locality into the search box.
Is your site a business site?
Many categories in the Open Directory are for informational sites only. Most categories will have descriptions providing details of the kind of sites accepted. If business sites are not allowed, there is usually a list of related categories that may help, under the heading "See also". Shopping sites should be listed in the correct category in Regional if there is a physical outlet. Online retailers should be listed in the topical category for the area they cover.
Does your site resemble those already listed in the category?
When you think you have found the correct category, check the sites already listed. If they are quite dis-similar to yours, you may be in the wrong place. Read the "Description" of the category. Look at the list of related categories under the heading "See also". These may guide you to a better location.
Can your site be listed in more than one category?
In general, the answer is "No" but there are some exceptions to this rule. Some sites may be included in the main topical category as well as in the Regional category for the locality served. A site with versions in more than one language may be listed in several appropriate categories in World. Please do not suggest your site to multiple categories just because you have difficulty finding the right one.
Stumped?
It's not too surprising, the Open Directory has such a vast array of categories that finding your way around it is difficult, even for editors. Try the excellent DMOZ search facility, entering one or two key words. If you are sure the category you are looking for will be in a particular branch of the Directory, you can search while in that category, restricting the results to its subcategories.
21. Maybe this is why you are not listed in the dmoz directory as they state:
"we seek people who have a genuine interest in building a directory that is free of commercial interests and favoritism. Fairness and objectivity prevail here. Those who still believe the Web should be free and accessible to all, without bias and unnecessary noise, will most enjoy the ODP experience."
You may not fall under this category.
Thanks
Posted at 2:56PM on Mar 7th 2009 by bartonseo.com
22. Hi,
Please look at the category Shopping: Clothing: Uniforms: Medical. When I try to submit to that category it comes up Shopping: Clothing: Medical: Uniforms: Medical: Caps & Hats which is a wrong category. Your system is blocking me from submitting to the correct category. The Hats & Caps category has not been edited since mid 2007 and there may be some submissions burried in that category that belong one level up.
Again, I do not expect a response.
Thanks
Scott
Posted at 2:52PM on Mar 10th 2009 by Scott Rickey
23. If we place the dmoz search code on our site will our website be more closer to being listed? I have tried for 2 years. Its been frustarting. I love DMOZ!
Posted at 2:22PM on Mar 12th 2009 by Nancy
24. Totally off the subject, sorry, but I tried to submit my site to DMOZ but have had no luck. Any advice and are they still accepting urls? When I click on Suggest a URL it takes me back to the how to page? I can't find any contact info on the site and the blog is my last resort. Any updates would be much appreciated.
Posted at 11:02AM on Mar 13th 2009 by brian naab
25. @ brian nabb
If you're getting kicked into the instructions page, it means that you've selected a category that is too high in the hierarchy. Try drilling down into an appropriate sub-category and suggesting your site there - you'll see the form. :)
Posted at 4:27PM on Mar 13th 2009 by Emily Kayser
26. @Matt Savage/Andy Sellers
I would like to ask you some, do you know how much time does a crawler needs to index your page, its 2-4 months, not Gauranteed thou, RIGHT? And just so you know, Directories are not indexed by crawlers bur its done through real HUMNA editors. Now, i believe you know what I wanted to tell ya'. Have Patience.
Tushar Bhattacharya
Internet Marketing
Posted at 12:30AM on Mar 16th 2009 by Tushar Bhattacharya
27. Hello,
I want to reference a web site in your site or in google
thak you to tell me what can i do to reference my web site
best regard
Posted at 6:18AM on Mar 16th 2009 by TIGHREMT
28. I would like to become an editor for DMOZ but I would like to know how long i have to apply to get a response of acceptance or something. I just do not want to waste my time filling the forms and then having to wait 1 year or so to get a response. My question in essence is will I get quick response after I apply?
Posted at 11:15AM on Mar 21st 2009 by Henry ofor
29. Although I am slightly worried my comments might stop my website being accepted on DMOZ I tend to agree with the comments before me. I have submitted exactly as stated and have a much better and suited website than most in the category which I requested and have never been accepted so I can only conclude I never will and yet we service the web community daily with an alexa rating on 330k which is good in my opinion. The fact that you cant ask why and improve your chances is also disappointing
Posted at 7:38PM on Jun 8th 2009 by Michael Hill
30. Gee, I'm also trying to get my site listed to no avail. Submission of URL to appropriate categories doesn't fly. I've applied to edit several categories (small ones) to no avail. My qualifications to edit the category for which I have applied are quite reasonable. No go - guess a lifetime spent in service to my dog breed doesn't qualify me to edit any category related to my breed. It makes me sad I can't get my site listed as I have supported dmoz's services. I just don't get it. I'd like to help dmoz - I'd like to help people interested in my breed. A little help from dmoz would be greatly appreciated.
Ann Milligan
AKC judge, parent club mentor, BMD owner, breeder, club volunteer and educator since 1983.
Posted at 8:37AM on May 8th 2009 by Ann Milligan