Open Directory Project: DMOZ: Frequently Asked Questions
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Getting accepted by the Open Directory Project is an important move if you want to promote your site; it will even help you with Google. But what exactly is it? How do you submit your site? And what will help you get accepted? Wayne Hurlbert answers these and other questions about this important Internet directory.
What is the Open Directory Project?
The Open Directory Project http://www.dmoz.org, better known as DMOZ, is probably the single most important directory on the Internet. Submissions are accepted free of charge. Sites are considered for inclusion by volunteer editors who review the sites offered for consideration in their very specific categories. The number of different categories is very large, and covers most of the topics found on the Internet as a whole.
Why is DMOZ important?
DMOZ listings are important for several reasons. The listing is given considerable weight in the Google algorithm because DMOZ is a human edited directory. Not every site submitted is included. Inclusion in DMOZ is about the only way to get into the Google Directory. Many smaller directories, and even minor search engines, use DMOZ listings as the basis for their own categorized sites. The link popularity value in the search engines is quite high as a result of a DMOZ listing, both directly from the directory itself, and from the subsequent addition to many small dirctories.
How is DMOZ different from a search engine like Google?
The Open Directory Project is, as its name implies, an Internet directory. As such, it requires submission to the appropriate category for indexing from a volunteer editor. There is no other source of entry to DMOZ except through the human editing process. Google, Yahoo Search, MSN Search, and Ask Jeeves are search engines which add sites for indexing into their database electronically. Submission of a site to a search engine is not required, or even recommended.
What types of websites are included in the directory?
There are almost 600,000 categories and sub-categories included in the Open Directory Project index. As such, there is room for almost any website or blog that includes unique and interesting content for its visitors. Not all sites are included, however, as they might not contain the necessary unique content. Affiliate sites often fail to be included for not having enough original content.
How do I get my site listed in DMOZ?
To get into DMOZ, you must submit your site for consideration. The first step is to go to the DMOZ site, and search through the relevant categories where your site might fit. When you have narrowed your target to the most appropriate category, go to it, and click on "add URL." Be absolutely certain to read the instructions very carefully. They are not merely a suggestion. They are an absolute requirement. Be sure to submit just your home page to only one category. Multiple page or category submissions will likely be treated as spam, and your site will be rejected.
Are blogs eligible for inclusion?
Because blogs are another form of dynamic website, they are eligible for inclusion in DMOZ. In fact, the directory has created an entire category for blogs alone. In many cases, niche blogs are also found in the main directory categories, along with other traditional websites. DMOZ is now very friendly to blogs.
Next: Who decides whether or not my site is included in DMOZ? >>
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