Everyone talks about getting their blog or website listed in the free Open Directory Project, better known as DMOZ, but not everyone knows what to do about it.
Here's some help in navigaing the directory submission process.
DMOZ has become very inclusive and supportive of blogs. Entirely new categories, devoted entirely to blogs, have been added to the DMOZ Directory. You might not be aware of this, but DMOZ has added a special blog category. They are a very blog friendly directory these days. Be sure to get your blog included in the listings.
The Open Directory Project is probably the single most important internet directory. Its listings are used by Google in their search engine rankings calculations, as part of the Google Directory listings, and by many other search engines and directories large and small, all over the internet.
Many other sites and directories use the DMOZ for their online directories. A listing in DMOZ is, therefore, multiplied many times over. Tak about getting bang for the buck.
Here is the DMOZ URL:
http://www.dmoz.org
DMOZ is an entirely volunteer edited directory, where every site is examined by an editor for suitability. To get a listing in DMOZ, is to have several legs up, in the race to the top of the search results.
The first step to a listing, is to check the various directory categories, and find the appropriate one for your blog. Be very thorough here, as submitting your blog or website to the wrong category can result in very long waits, and possibly even rejection.
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 blog home page to only one category. Multiple page or category submissions will likely be treated as spam, and your blog might be rejected.
You will be asked to write a brief description of your blog or website. This is not the place to be flowery and biased. Be as objective as possible. If the editors think your description is too promotional, they will certainly change it on you. Your submission may even be rejected entirely.
Your blog has finally been submitted. Now what?
Since the website submissions are accepted on a first come, first served basis, you wait. The waiting period can last anywhere from one week to six long agonizing months.
Whatever you do, don't decide to resubmit your site. I can't stress that strongly enough. Don't even think about resubmitting. At best, your submission will be moved to the back of the line again. At worst, your blog may be rejected.
In the meantime, you won't hear from DMOZ one way or the other. Keep checking their site each week for results. Keep updating and adding content to your website or blog. The editors will like your site a lot better with the additional content, and your chances of approval go way up. After all, the editors are searching for unique content. It's up to you to procide it.
Be sure you have no pages "under construction", as the editors will reject any sites that aren't ready for prime time.
If you can't stand the wait, you can contact the category editor about your site's status, directly through their Feedback link. A better route, however, is to ask a polite question on the DMOZ public forum.
The DMOZ public forum URL is:
http://www.resource-zone.com
You don't have to be registered to read the forum, but you must register (free) to post a question. As always, be sure to read and follow the posting guidelines.
Happy submitting.
It's well worth the effort!
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