Jun 26th 2009 12:00PM
Why are sites sometimes removed from the directory?
We occasionally get questions from site owners and directory users who have noticed that previously-listed sites are no longer available in DMOZ. There are three primary reasons that sites might be removed, some temporary and some permanent. The list below explains these in detail.
The site was down when our automated tools scanned it.
Editors use a number of automated tools to help to keep the directory up-to-date. Occasionally a site is down when a tool checks the contents of a category. The first time this happens, the tool will flag the site but leave the directory listing intact. If the site is down again when the tool scans that category again (generally several days later), it will temporarily remove it so that an editor can provide a manual review & either restore it (if it is back online) or remove it. If you know that a site has recently been down for a few days for any reason, this is the most likely reason for its removal.
Note that sites that block our automated tools will appear to be down when they are scanned, so they may be removed for this reason. The same thing is true of sites that block editors who are attempting to review them. A page that can't be reviewed can't be listed in the directory.
The site is being moved to another category.
DMOZ is a living directory, so it is constantly growing and changing. Over time, some categories will grow larger and more complex and editors will split them into smaller, more specific sub-categories. When this happens, some sites will move out of the original category and into the new one. In most cases, category reorganizations are performed by editors with permissions in both the original category and in the new destination category, so the site simply moves to a new location.
If you think a site has moved and you're not sure of its new location, you can look for it by using the search feature within the directory. Note that you must use a "domain.extension" format in order for the search to return the correct results. For example, a user looking for Amazon's site would need to search for "amazon.com" rather than "www.amazon.com" in order for the search to return the desired results.
Occasionally, a site may move as the result of a content change rather than as the result of a category reorganization. When this happens, the site requires a new review and may be temporarily removed from public view until the destination category's editor has approved it.
The site is now unlistable.
There are three primary scenarios that will make a previously-listed site unlistable. The first is that the content of the site has changed and no longer meets our requirements for inclusion in the directory. It may no longer have unique content, or the purpose of the site may have changed (for example, if the domain name has been transferred to a new owner who alters its purpose). In this case, an editor would permanently remove the site from the directory. It will continue to be considered unlistable until such time as the site has been altered to meet our requirements.
The second scenario is that the site itself has not changed, but the listing guidelines for the directory overall (or the particular area of the directory where the site resides) have changed. In this case, an editor would also permanently remove the site from the directory.
The third scenario is that the site was originally listed in error – either as the result of a mistake, an editor's misunderstanding of the listing guidelines, or abuse – and should not have been listed in the directory in the first place.
Site owners sometimes express concern that their sites have been deleted due to editor corruption. While this is rare, there are unfortunately times when it occurs. We take corruption accusations very seriously, and remove any editor who is found to have acted in an abusive manner. If you feel that a site was removed in violation of the DMOZ editing guidelines, you can submit an abuse report (including all details and evidence) via our public abuse reporting system.
The site was down when our automated tools scanned it.
Editors use a number of automated tools to help to keep the directory up-to-date. Occasionally a site is down when a tool checks the contents of a category. The first time this happens, the tool will flag the site but leave the directory listing intact. If the site is down again when the tool scans that category again (generally several days later), it will temporarily remove it so that an editor can provide a manual review & either restore it (if it is back online) or remove it. If you know that a site has recently been down for a few days for any reason, this is the most likely reason for its removal.
Note that sites that block our automated tools will appear to be down when they are scanned, so they may be removed for this reason. The same thing is true of sites that block editors who are attempting to review them. A page that can't be reviewed can't be listed in the directory.
The site is being moved to another category.
DMOZ is a living directory, so it is constantly growing and changing. Over time, some categories will grow larger and more complex and editors will split them into smaller, more specific sub-categories. When this happens, some sites will move out of the original category and into the new one. In most cases, category reorganizations are performed by editors with permissions in both the original category and in the new destination category, so the site simply moves to a new location.
If you think a site has moved and you're not sure of its new location, you can look for it by using the search feature within the directory. Note that you must use a "domain.extension" format in order for the search to return the correct results. For example, a user looking for Amazon's site would need to search for "amazon.com" rather than "www.amazon.com" in order for the search to return the desired results.
Occasionally, a site may move as the result of a content change rather than as the result of a category reorganization. When this happens, the site requires a new review and may be temporarily removed from public view until the destination category's editor has approved it.
The site is now unlistable.
There are three primary scenarios that will make a previously-listed site unlistable. The first is that the content of the site has changed and no longer meets our requirements for inclusion in the directory. It may no longer have unique content, or the purpose of the site may have changed (for example, if the domain name has been transferred to a new owner who alters its purpose). In this case, an editor would permanently remove the site from the directory. It will continue to be considered unlistable until such time as the site has been altered to meet our requirements.
The second scenario is that the site itself has not changed, but the listing guidelines for the directory overall (or the particular area of the directory where the site resides) have changed. In this case, an editor would also permanently remove the site from the directory.
The third scenario is that the site was originally listed in error – either as the result of a mistake, an editor's misunderstanding of the listing guidelines, or abuse – and should not have been listed in the directory in the first place.
Site owners sometimes express concern that their sites have been deleted due to editor corruption. While this is rare, there are unfortunately times when it occurs. We take corruption accusations very seriously, and remove any editor who is found to have acted in an abusive manner. If you feel that a site was removed in violation of the DMOZ editing guidelines, you can submit an abuse report (including all details and evidence) via our public abuse reporting system.
1. I followed your instructions, expressing via the public abuse reporting system my concern that my site have been deleted due to editor corruption. There is definitively no other reason!
So I can hope now that it will solve the problem, and thank you so much for the excellent tip!
Posted at 11:05PM on Jun 26th 2009 by John S. Britsios
2. Can we add here links too? I have reported the abuse and the ID I received to check later is not valid after 24 hours. I feel that something is going seriously wrong. Or?
Posted at 10:05PM on Jun 28th 2009 by John S. Britsios
3. thanks you
Posted at 12:30PM on Jun 30th 2009 by teknik servis
4. @John S. Britsios: if the ID code isn't recognised (ie you get a "There is no report corresponding to that ID." message), then either you haven't got the right ID code, or there was some problem during submission.
Otherwise you'll be told either that the report is 'new' (waiting to be investigated), 'investigate' (someone is looking in to it) or 'resolved' (the investigation and any action deemed necessary is complete). I wouldn't be surprised if new reports take several days/weeks to change from 'new'. That doesn't mean no-one has looked at them though.
If you have got an unrecognised code, then I suggest you ask at http://www.resource-zone.com/forum/ to find out if your report has been received.
Posted at 2:27PM on Jul 1st 2009 by chaos127
5. How to edit the title or description about website have subscribed?
Thank you
Muslih
Posted at 1:11AM on Jul 4th 2009 by Muslih
6. We have added our website several times at DMOZ directory in last one year. Our site is up more than 99% of the time and submission was done in the right category. However, our site never gets listed !. We don't know why ?. Is there a conflict of interest with editor ?
Posted at 10:57PM on Jul 5th 2009 by Neel
7. @Muslih: Your question is somewhat off-topic for this blog post. If your question isn't answered in the official help pages at http://www.dmoz.org/help/helpmain.html , I suggest you try reading the FAQ at http://www.resource-zone.com/forum/faq.php . If you still can't find the answer, register at at http://www.resource-zone.com/ and ask the editors there.
Posted at 3:37PM on Jul 5th 2009 by chaos127
8. I've follow your direction to submit my blog, but, until now my blog has not listed. Why?
Posted at 8:30AM on Jul 9th 2009 by Taufiq Hasan
9. This post rocks.Thanks for your sharing...
braindumps
Posted at 7:44AM on Jul 14th 2009 by braindumps
10. Great list of information for newbie submissions. If we had these notes before we tried to submit, we wouldn't be asking why now . . .
Thanks for the info - I'll use to improve my future submissions!
~Michele
Posted at 10:48AM on Jul 17th 2009 by Michele Nesworthy
11. I have noticed that some sites are not listed at all even though they meet all criteria. I would like to call this situattion unfair competition and think that for a directory to be complete each and every site should be listed
Posted at 1:38AM on Jul 22nd 2009 by lindt
12. It is really a shame complaints are not processed. I filed a complaint on 2009-02-26 because my English website was listed in the German category although it has no German users, is not in German and does not target Germany at all - just because I happened to live in Germany. This is really annoying.
Posted at 4:11PM on Jul 23rd 2009 by Toby
13. why my site is not aproved in dmoz :(
Posted at 4:26AM on Jul 29th 2009 by raulito
14. Unfortunately the abuse system does not work. Most cases I have submitted are still unprocessed for several months and years.
Posted at 6:31AM on Jul 29th 2009 by alexa1970
15. This blog title is good and the contents are very useful. Is there any way to find out if my site dealing with Money Health eProducts is listed in DMOZ directory. Is it possible for you to provide the current status of site submissions for us to see the actual status, to avoid unnecessary resubmissions.
Posted at 5:48AM on Jul 31st 2009 by Latha
16. Is there any PDF download available giving the guidelines for making a website compliant to the submission regulations. I wish I could get one to follow that and ensure that my site soon gets listed in this prestigious directory.
Posted at 5:51AM on Jul 31st 2009 by Latha
17. Hi,
My site has never been listed. I do not know why. It is very confusing. I think I 've followed your directions to submit my blog. Please help me.
Posted at 10:59AM on Jul 31st 2009 by Tim
18. I submitted a site, but haven't heard back yet. It's been couple of months already. I don't see how to inquiry about the status. Any help?
Posted at 2:11PM on Aug 15th 2009 by srayhan
19. Thanks for the information it has helped alot. my page has been listed
Posted at 7:32AM on Sep 14th 2009 by shuey
20. Is there any PDF download available giving the guidelines for making a website compliant to the submission regulations. I wish I could get one to follow that and ensure that my site soon gets listed in this prestigious directory.
Posted at 3:25AM on Sep 21st 2009 by sweat001