ODP Open Directory Project tips dmoz.orgODP Background
The ODP started life as NewHoo in June 1998 and was created by Rich Skrenta and Bob Truel in California as an open source directory of web sites edited by volunteers. Bought by Netscape in 1998 The ODP has grown into a major force on the Web and overtook Yahoo in the number of sites listed June 2000. ODP now has 2,222,274 web site listed in 325,076 categories which are managed by 32,198 editors (Dec 2000)
ODP Database
The ODP database consists of 16 subject areas such as Shopping, Recreation, News and Regional. Each area is sub-divided into many categories and sub-categories. The database is opensource so anyone can use the data on their site providing they comply with the ODP license requirements. This has led to the data being used by many other sites and search engines such as http://search.netscape.com/ , http://www.aolsearch.com, http://www.hotbot.com and many other smaller directories. A listing in the ODP directory will produce only limited traffic from ODP itself but lots from the various data user sites.
Use of Metatags in ODP
The ODP does not consider Meta Tags in their listings but some users of ODP data such as AOL spider the sites listed by ODP and then construct their own ranking system based on the pages themselves.
Adding a Site to ODP
Submitting your site follows similar lines to the other directories in that you must first decide which sub-category you want to be listed under. Each category has an 'ADD URL' link at the top of the page which leads to a form requesting a Title, URL and Description for the site. The editing rules restrict the Title to the official company or web site name and the description should be an objective view of what the site offers to users. Marketing hype will be deleted and is best avoided. try to include your keywords in a readable sentence wnd keep it short so that the editors have little to change.
Because editors are volunteers they work at different paces. Some will review submissions in a day or two whilst others may not look at them for weeks or even months. If your submission does not appear after 4-5 weeks try resubmitting it. A polite e-mail to the category editor may generate results, if not an e-mail to a higher level editor may help. Beware of upsetting editors by being too forceful or demanding. It is as easy for them to click Delete rather than Accept when looking at your site and remember they are volunteers who will have jobs and families so any approach to an editor should be polite.
Spam
Only one listing for a site is allowed and editors are well practised in spotting sites which do not comply with their guidelines. Affiliates, duplicates, redirected and incomplete sites will be rejected as will illegal sites and those submitted to the wrong category. Follow the guidelines at http://dmoz.org/add.html and if your site is of a high enough quality you should eventually be rewarded.
Top ODP Ranking Secrets
Try to create a title and description which incorporate your best keywords and study the editing style of the category you are submitting to to match existing entries. ODP lists sites aphabetically so a Title beginning with A is better than one beginning with P. Treat the editors with respect when requesting changes or additions and they will generally do the same back.
If you would like to be an editor you can apply by clicking the 'Become an Editor' link on each category page and completing the form. |
