TIPS and TRICKS
How to submit to the Open Directory Project
Edited by roughly 7 500 active volunteers, the Open Directory Project is one of the largest website directories around. While it is sometimes called DMOZ or abbreviated ODP, don't get confused - all three names refer to the same directory. As a webmaster, your interest in the directory is probably focused on getting your site listed and thus obtaining more visibility and visitors. If so, good, because that is the topic of this very article.
Why submit to the Open Directory Project?
There are multiple reasons why trying to get listed in the ODP is a good idea. The directory itself produces a trickle of traffic. Not enough to overload your server and drive you crazy from joy, but every little bit helps.
If a handful of visitors doesn't sound attractive enough, remember that the Open Directory is also a major data source for other sites. The Google Directory and over 300 others use information from the ODP to provide directory and search services. Should your site be included in the Open Directory, it will also eventually be visible on many of these partner sites. Note the word 'eventually' - changes to the ODP are not immediately reflected on all sites using ODP data. It may take several months or even longer for some to update their listings. Even so, sooner or later your inclusion in the Open Directory will start producing traffic through these partner sites as well.
Sounds better, but the main reward for being listed is not traffic through the links. Rather, it's the favorable treatment Google will give your site once it is accepted to the Open Directory. Being linked from the ODP will usually boost your ranking in Google and thus provide your site with lots of highly targeted traffic, much more than what you will get through the directory itself.
That being said, is ODP vital to your online success? Should you focus all your energy on making it in, whatever it takes? Probably not, but it is an important part of a good promotion campaign and should not be neglected. However, if you can't get listed, don't despair. Just attempt to obtain as many incoming links as you can from well-known and respected sites that deal with the same topic as your site.
You can submit - or list your site on your own!
As noted, the Open Directory is a volunteer-edited directory. While all applications are not accepted, anyone can apply to become an editor. Obtaining an editor account opens up the possibility to list your site the way you want it, without the uncertainties and delays involved with simply submitting your site. Unfortunately, the editor route also involves numerous hurdles you will need to overcome.
Which path should you choose? Below, we'll forget everything connected with becoming an editor yourself and focus on simply submitting your site. You might want to start with that and only think about applying for an editor account if your submission efforts bear no fruit. On the other hand, those who have had no luck with submitting or simply enjoy doing things a bit differently should check out "Becoming an editor at the Open Directory". It contains a few tips on how you can get that editor account and enjoy the experience of adding your own site.
So, how exactly do I submit my site?
First, take a peek at "Boosting your traffic with website directories". It contains general instructions on how to submit to different directories. While it might seem tempting to skip reading it and simply move on, consider twice before doing so. From this point on, I'll assume you're familiar with the basic do's and don'ts outlined in said article.
Before continuing, I also want to mention the Open Directory Project's submission guidelines. If you don't want to read them now, just keep their existence in mind and get back to them later. The editors reviewing your application will assume that you've familiarized yourself with the directory's submission instructions and obey them. Speaking of the editors, it may also be a good call to browse through the editor guidelines. They reveal how editors determine which sites to accept - and which to reject.
Enough homework? OK, let's move on. When it comes to submitting, one thing you should know about the Open Directory Project is its shortage of editors. As I pointed out in the beginning, they have thousands of active editors, so one would easily assume that no problem exists. Unfortunately however, the directory is huge and editing is unpaid work. Thus, the queues of unreviewed sites can become long, very long. In the worst case scenario, we're talking something from months to years before someone reviews your site.
With the above fact in mind, do select the most relevant category for your site as instructed in "Boosting your traffic with website directories". However, if two or more categories seem equally suitable, lean towards one that has an editor. The user id's of possible category editors are displayed near the bottom of the category page. Should you only find a line encouraging you to volunteer to edit the category, beware - it is the sign of a category that may not have an editor. This means someone editing a higher level category needs to review your submission, which may sometimes lead to a long wait.
When you're ready to tip your toes into the water, start by submitting the root address of your site or in other words, the home page. This is a good starting point, as most sites should aim to simply get their home page listed in the ODP. In some cases, it is possible to get your site included in multiple categories, but let's not get into that yet. Submit your site once - it's enough. Submitting the same site repeatedly will not help.
So, how to fill the submission form? Take a peek at the links mentioned above and things should become fairly clear. Follow the principles, suggest your site to an appropriate category and wait. That's it, not exactly rocket science.
My site didn't make it! Now what?
Now you're in trouble. The first problem is to figure out whether your site has actually been rejected or the suggestion is still sitting somewhere unreviewed, gathering dust. Unfortunately, the ODP does not inform you if they reject your site nor tell you why it has been rejected. There's simply no way to know, unless you can get an editor to check what's going on.
Let's assume that you've been waiting for a reasonable period of time, at least a month, but possibly several. Nothing has happened, you're not in the directory. First, re-read the guidelines. Are you sure your site fills the requirements? Is there anything you could do better, anything where your site might not meet all the demands? If so, make improvements and resubmit.
What if even after that, a month or two goes by and still no word? One possibility is to try contacting the editor of the category you submitted to, or if the category has no editor, the editor of a higher-level category. If you decide to do so, choose your words carefully. Be very polite and explain how you've exhausted all other methods - making sure that you really have done so. Mention all the relevant information, such as the address of your site, submission dates and so on. Also keep in mind that many editors get a lot of mail from desperate webmasters, so they can easily get irritated. Don't expect them to be willing to bend over backwards just to do you a favor.
Yahoo! My site was accepted... but I want more!
As mentioned, in some cases a site can be listed more than once. However, remember that it is an exception, not a rule. If your site really only deserves a single listing, don't start spamming the directory by submitting dozens of individual pages. Being over-aggressive might cost you the listing you already have.
What's that you say? You have zounds of in-depth, unique content on different subject matters? Well then, perhaps you really could deserve more than one listing. Let's say that you run a site about cars, with a section on automobile history, one on current models, another on traffic safety and so on. If your site really is a helpful, quality resource, deeplinking might be within reach. To determine your chances, read this article from the ODP newsletter. It's not an official guideline and is somewhat dated, but gives you an idea on when deeplinking might be possible - and when it is out of the question.
If the criteria for deeplinking seems too strict, don't be depressed. Sites that offer their content in different languages can be listed more than once. Take Google for example. The main site is listed, but so is Google.de under World:Deutsch and Google.fr under World:Franais. Naturally, this rule only applies to sites that truly support multiple languages. Babelfish-style crude machine translations will not cut it.
Even if your content is served only in plain old English, there's still hope. Sites that are relevant to a specific region may be listed in the Regional category even if they also have a listing elsewhere in the directory. For example, a store selling used computers through its website but also from an outlet in Ohio, US might be listed under Computers:Hardware:Used and in a subcategory of Regional:North America:United States:Ohio.
