Confused about site submission

Hello,

I have been trying to get my website indexed into DMOZ for almost 4 years now. I waited all that time, then recently re-submitted my site again on February 11th, 2011. Both times I made sure my site met all the criteria listed on the Guidelines page exactly as they were stated, and also made certain that I was submitting my site to the correct sub-category (many of my main competitors are listed in the same sub-category - Business: Marketing and Advertising: Internet Marketing: Marketing Services).

I know all you can tell me to do at this point is wait, but after 4 years I'm just a bit confused and just wanted to know if there could be an issue I'm not aware of, such as maybe some categories don't have any editors and therefore never get updated?

Thanks,
Kurt

silverbackstrategies said:

I know all you can tell me to do at this point is wait, but after 4 years I'm just a bit confused and just wanted to know if there could be an issue I'm not aware of, such as maybe some categories don't have any editors and therefore never get updated?

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All categories can be maintained by some 100 to 200 editors. But "can" does note mean "will". Editors can edit when, where ans as much as they want (within the limits of the guidelines and their privileges). Editors are not forced to look at suggested websites.

I am also suggesting my site here, but as mentioned by Kurt in the above that he had spend 4-years time waiting to be enlisted, I'd rather to apply for an editor, maybe that will be easier and faster, than count on others!Well, I may need thanks Kurt, in saving my time from expect to be enlisted.

well, I just read the announcement place at the top of the list, and find out to apply for an editor is not easy. Guess I can only wait, when my editor find my site submission...

Applying as an editor is very easy. Everybody should be able to write a good application.
But if you are only interested in getting your website listed please do not write an application. It will only be a waste of your an our time.

i applied to be an editor and was rejected. it's a bit confusing in that, on the one hand editors should be familiar with the subject matter they want to edit meanwhile, if you have a website about that subject you are disqualified. Also, I would suggest that the DMOZ remove the average wait time stated as being about 2 weeks. It is much much longer, so unless dmoz has actual wait time metrics for the past year, it should state the truth, "we'll get around to reviewing your listing when we can or feel like doing so." I understand that editors are doing this as a service, but the service should be much clearer, considering it is such a valuable service for the survival of a start-up website. I also noticed that well funded sites tend to appear more in this directory than the little ones... I can understand dmoz is free and voluntary but i can better understand the new sites' frustrations with the lack of transparency and confusing communication.

loose said:

i applied to be an editor and was rejected. it's a bit confusing in that,

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> on the one hand editors should be familiar with the subject matter they want to edit
That is not a requirement for an editor. Ofcourse it can be helpfull to know something about the subject but it is not something an editor needs to have.

> meanwhile, if you have a website about that subject you are disqualified.
This is certainly not true. There is no problem in an editor owning a website, not even if that website is a bout the same subject as the category for which someone applies to become an editor. We only ask people to be honest about websites the own and not to give them any favor.

Also, I would suggest that the DMOZ remove the average wait time stated as being about 2 weeks. It is much much longer, so unless dmoz has actual wait time metrics for the past year, it should state the truth, "we'll get around to reviewing your listing when we can or feel like doing so."

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DMOZ has not published an "avarage wait time" for suggestion. We only have a statement "Depending on factors such as the volume of submissions to the particular category, it may take several weeks or more before your submission is reviewed"
Notice the "or more". It's intention is to let people know that they should not be expecting a quick listing. I agree that this statement could be made more clear as many people seem to misunderstand the meaning

I understand that editors are doing this as a service, but the service should be much clearer, considering it is such a valuable service for the survival of a start-up website.

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You understand completely wrong. We are not doing this as a service. DMOZ does not provide a service to people who suggest websites at all. It are those people who provide a service to DMOZ.

loose said:

...considering it is such a valuable service for the survival of a start-up website.

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If a website's survival depends upon the actions of anonymous volunteers working to no defined timescale, my advice would be to close it down now and save grief and money. Harsh? Ask a financial adviser .

pvgool said:

DMOZ does not provide a service to people who suggest websites at all.

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Granted there is no actual service offered in return for the listing, although it could be argued that the value of being listed in any directory could be considered as a service to the listed.

Also, the DMOZ social contract as well as the fact it's clearly stated that the ODP '...powers core directory services for some the most popular portals and search engines on the Web, including AOL Search, Netscape Search, Google, Lycos, and HotBot, and hundreds of others...' suggest there in fact there is a level of service offered to both the suggested website and 3rd parties.

Is it time for the DMOZ/ODP ethos and 'about text to be re-written?