Description Length
- Thread starter Margarida
- Start date
bobrat
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- Joined
- Apr 15, 2003
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- 11,061
This is from the editing guidelines:
The description gives specific information about the content and/or subject matter of the site. It should be informative and concise, usually no longer than one or two lines. The basic formula for a good description is Description = Subject + Content.
It's probably good to follow, because if you provide a very long description, the editor will probably just delete it and start from scratch.
Once you get to around 30 words, it may be getting too long.
In some cases editors may choose to make longer ones, when required.
The description gives specific information about the content and/or subject matter of the site. It should be informative and concise, usually no longer than one or two lines. The basic formula for a good description is Description = Subject + Content.
It's probably good to follow, because if you provide a very long description, the editor will probably just delete it and start from scratch.
Once you get to around 30 words, it may be getting too long.
In some cases editors may choose to make longer ones, when required.
You are allowed as many as the script will permit -- you can experiment to see the exact number of characters. Of course, the longer a description is, the more likely it is to be drastically pruned before the editor even looks at the site.
spectregunner
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- Joined
- Jan 23, 2003
- Messages
- 8,768
But realize this: in practice about 95% of all submitted descriptions get heavily edited or rewritten, and if your goal is to SEO the description, forget it. Those types of descriptions smell like a week old dead fish to an experienced editor and will almost definitely get rewritten -- or the submission will be ignored until the editor has nothing better to do.
Here's a distinction that may be useful to you: you aren't allowed a single iota in the "description." You are allowed to write whatever you want in the "SUGGESTED description."
The suggested description should ideally tell the editor what not to miss when reviewing your site. Some examples of good things not to do.
"Leading supplier of expostulated widgets to the aerospace, refuse disposal, military, baby food, and all other known industries." [We don't care whom you market to: anybody can use our directory to find you when they need widgets -- whether for straining baby food or making subway Sarin sandwiches.]
"Sells widgets by Acme, Bacme, Cacme, Dacme, Eacme, Facme, Gagme-with-keyword-spam, and all other ["quality"] brands of brand-name widgets." Well, the first two words might survive...
"We are dedicated to (does't matter what you put here -- it's about to get whacked)" It's a website description, not a pop psychological analysis.
"Cheapest prices, telephone 666-666-6666, call for ... " [this is a website description, not a website, and certainly not an advertisement for anything.
In fact, if you make sure that you do not do anything your Marketing 101 textbook recommended, you'll be in good shape. Just tell us who owns the website, and what's on it. "Contains complete plans for enhanced-radiation nuclear device" or "sells fumarolization accessories and baby food strainers."
A typical submitter, having carefully not done all that, would generally be puzzled to eke out ten words of genuine information.
The suggested description should ideally tell the editor what not to miss when reviewing your site. Some examples of good things not to do.
"Leading supplier of expostulated widgets to the aerospace, refuse disposal, military, baby food, and all other known industries." [We don't care whom you market to: anybody can use our directory to find you when they need widgets -- whether for straining baby food or making subway Sarin sandwiches.]
"Sells widgets by Acme, Bacme, Cacme, Dacme, Eacme, Facme, Gagme-with-keyword-spam, and all other ["quality"] brands of brand-name widgets." Well, the first two words might survive...
"We are dedicated to (does't matter what you put here -- it's about to get whacked)" It's a website description, not a pop psychological analysis.
"Cheapest prices, telephone 666-666-6666, call for ... " [this is a website description, not a website, and certainly not an advertisement for anything.
In fact, if you make sure that you do not do anything your Marketing 101 textbook recommended, you'll be in good shape. Just tell us who owns the website, and what's on it. "Contains complete plans for enhanced-radiation nuclear device" or "sells fumarolization accessories and baby food strainers."
A typical submitter, having carefully not done all that, would generally be puzzled to eke out ten words of genuine information.