Edit Request status www.recruittrack.com

Hi there,
We are currently listed in dmoz.org, which of course I'm happy about, but I've tried to request a change to our title (due to a possible trademark conflict) to RecruitTrack Recruiting Software, and I figured while we making a title change, we'd use the same description from our Yahoo listing, which more appropriately describes our software and web site.

I don't want to be a pest to the editor, and I'm certain he or she is quite busy.

You'll have to tell us which category first...

On the other hand, you could just go to the category in quesiton and go to the 'Update URL' link in the top right hand corner and make the request "the proper way".

Computers: Software: Human Resources: Recruitment Management

That is the group, and I've made the update request twice, and I don't wish to be a pest to the editor.

I was really trying to use this forum to determine if there is a status on the update.

Rejected (thrice)
The editorial guidelines discourage unnecessary repetition in the category name, site title and description. Since both of the words you want in the title are already in the category name, IMO the request is for the worse (for the directory) rather than for the better. If you can give more details on the trademark issue, we may be able to address any of the concerns that relate to us in a different but guidelines-conforming way.

There is a company who has a product called Recruitrac. It is not really a related product, but due to some unfortunate circumstances they trademarked the name Recruitrac. Since their product isn't Recruiting Software, we're attempting to differentiate our product for their trademark name. Since we have a use date prior to their use of the name we won't have to change the name, but we're adding the additional definition.

I looked at other submissions in our category, and I honestly didn't think it was a big deal to add Recruiting Software to the title since there are about 5 others who have the same.

As far as the new description request goes, it again falls within similar descriptions for other products in the category.

This is the description I submitted.

RecruitTrack Recruiting Software
offers a desktop recruiting software system designed to track applicant resumes, employers, job orders, and activity data featuring resume parsing and integration with Outlook.

It's bad enough that www.headhuntersoftware.com appears to be rejected, and I can understand why based upon the fact that it's just another site for our RecruitTrack product, but the description shouldn't be something rejected considering that others in the same category use very similar verbage.

Any help for the description modification would be appreciated.

I don't edit in that category, but if I did, I wouldn't add "Recruiting Software" to your title.

Why not? Well, besides the guidelines that hutcheson correctly mentioned, your site is full of references to "Recruit Track" without "Recruiting Software" appended (including the title graphic). Personally, I would think that someone who was really worried about a trademark issue would change the material on the company's own website before worrying about how it was listed in a web directory. You're not likely to get sued because of how ODP lists a site, after all.

As for the other sites you mentioned with "Recruiting Software" in the title, I looked at a couple, and if I edited in that category, I would certainly modify some of them (though at least one company actually has "Recruiting" in its name, so in that case, I would just remove the "Software"). Why are they there? Probably because editing guidelines have changed over the years, and it is possible that some titles/descriptions are now out of date. They should be changed when an editor next takes a look at them.

Regarding your submitted title and description, if you would like to know why it probably would never be accepted as is, I suggest looking at the ODP Editing Style Guidelines -- especially the sections referring to the Title and Description. For example, descriptions should not repeat words in the category or pathname. They should also describe the contents of the site, not just the business of the site owner.

I appreciate the insight. We haven't been forced to make the change on our name, and we may never be forced. I do understand about the title. It was just a little frustrating that I made change requests that appeared to be consistent with the rest of the category, and they didn't occur. I honestly didn't think the request was out of line with policies.

I'm just trying to take a proactive approach to changing the name. I'm probably being overly concerned as our site does clearly outlines our product. I've requested the modification to many places that mention our software.

Just one other thing - unlike Yahoo, we make all of our descriptions start with a capital letter.

Again, thank you for the responses. I see that our editor went through and made some extensive changes to the titles in our category.

Even though it sounds like I can't have the title that I requested, I still wouldn't mind changing the description. Dmoz is an important directory, and the current description doesn't describe our product as I would wish. Can anyone suggest a possible approach to getting our description changed ?

Go and read the editor's guidelines for describing sites: http://dmoz.org/guidelines/describing.html#descriptions . Note that you can't use promotional language, you can't include keywords, and you can't repeat words from the title or category name. If you still think that you can make a useful change that fits the guidelines and better describes your site, go ahead and use the "Update URL" button on the category your site is listed in. If the editor reviewing your requested update feels that you haven't correctly interpreted the guidelines, they will reject or change your update in a suitable fashion.

Generally speaking, if I see that someone has tried to follow the guidelines, I adapt what they give me to make a compliant description. If I see someone trying to add keywords or hype, I just delete it.

Well, I don't think my request was promotional in nature. It was just a bit more descriptive. The current description is too broad and it doesn't even seem as though people find us on Dmoz, which as I understand is supposed to be something easy to find the appropriate information.

I put in another change request. I will admit that I'm trying to get the word recruiting into our description, one because we're changing the full name our our software to RecruitTrack Recruiting Software, and two because it is one of the more common ways in which our software is searched. Even though it is technically Customer Relationship Software, that term is too broad for anyone to find us. The product is more specifically Recruiting Software.

I wouldn't mind working with our editor as our description in DMOZ is very important. I'm not trying to spam our site, I'm just trying to help the right people find it.

Thank you <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />

"Recruiting" is a keyword. You're not going to get it into either the title or the description. Give up.

How is "Recruiting" a keyword. This is Recruiting Software. I'm not sure I understand the benefit of this directory if people can't find what they are looking for.

Also, it's extremely inconsistent. Many of the other listings in this category have the word Recruiting in their description. We're talking about a real business not some stupid little links web site. A business that places importance on being found on the web. I'm not trying to spam anything. I'm just trying to be treated equal to other listings in our category.

No offense, but I've read many of the threads here, and their is a huge ego boost that seems to go on when legitimate and non-legitimate people are rejected. I'm trying to legitimately have my site and product described. Most likely our category editor will get tired of my requests and probably delete our listing. So goes the unbiased nature of dmoz.

It's a keyword because it's included in the category path.

The other listings should not have those words in them.

&gt;&gt; Most likely our category editor will get tired of my requests and probably delete our listing. &lt;&lt;

This is poor editing, and is not a valid reason to delete a site. It should never happen.

The word Recruitment is in the category path. The words Recruiting Software correctly conveys our product. I have read and re-read the submission guidelines. I do not see anything about keywords. I appologize if I'm argumentative, but I read every one of the descriptions of other products in our category. I do not think my request was out of line. Yes for our industry Recruiting is a keyword. According to your definition, the word Software is also a keyword as is Human Resource. I shouldn't have the word software in my description. Nor should I have the word Recruiter as it is derived from the word Recruitment.

Again, I'm trying to help make our description better, and yes for our benefit, because I want people who are looking for recruiting software to find our site. I'm not trying to spam. I just want our site found by the right people.

This of course is all beyond the fact that we will most likely be changing the legal name of the software to RecruitTrack Recruiting Software in order to avoid a trademark issue.

&gt;&gt; How is "Recruiting" a keyword &lt;&lt; &gt;&gt; Yes for our industry Recruiting is a keyword &lt;&lt;

Glad we got that one sorted out.


&gt;&gt; I have read and re-read the submission guidelines. I do not see anything about keywords. &lt;&lt;

You obviously missed the bit that says:

# Do not repeat the title of the site or sections of the category path name.
# Do not unnecessarily repeat keywords, phrases, or overuse adjectives.



Having read all of this thread so far without actually looking at your site, I decided to do so just now. It seems fairly obvious to me that www.recruittrack.com is merely a product-specific sub-site of www.dgcc.com, and therefore not listable according to our guidelines. I've not touched your entry yet as I'd like other editors to have the chance to comment before any action is taken.

[Off-topic rant/grumpiness removed]

The content on RecruitTrack is unique from that on DGCC.COM.

What I meant about the keyword, is how is it a keyword in Dmoz. How is any word not a keyword. Any word that someone uses to find something could be construed a keyword.

By the way, here is the guideline rule (as I'm sure you have it memorized).
Do not unnecessarily repeat keywords, phrases, or overuse adjectives.

The use of the word recruiting is hardly repeating a keyword. Actually the use of the word software would be a repeat of a keyword from the title. But the description would not make any sense if the word software were left out.

Also, the work Recruiting is not the word Recruitment (which is in the title of the category).

[Off-topic rant/grumpiness removed]

I'm sticking to my feeling that my requested change abides by the guidelines.

You're asking an ODP editor to make a change for the effects on a search engine. That could get the editor removed--it's called abuse.

Changing the subject a bit, to address the real problem, rather than the wrong solution: The change you're asking for will not have the effect you're looking for.

The fact is, search at dmoz.org probably won't bring a dozen visitors a year (even if you stuffed "Britney Spears free pictures MP3 make money at home vacation in Atlantic City discount Hotels" into it); and web search at google.com relies far more on the page's text than the ODP title and description. (The ODP link does matter.)

This particular page is graphics-intensive and text-poor, undoubtedly resulting in unnecessarily poor "relevance" for _all_ search engines. Improving the keyword-based relevance of the ODP directory page won't help that. Improving the keyword-based relevance of the site's home page will.

Oh dear. I hestitate to post anything in this thread, but I feel obligated to clear up a few issues raised by the original poster.

While I am the editor in question for the category, other more experienced editors have given you very, very good advice that you should follow. Look at their designations, "meta" and "editall", and you should know that you are getting info from the top. Check it out <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" />

I agree with most everything that has been shared with you and I think that you should relent. After all, you have your listings. What you do not seem to accept is that we as editors have some discretion over how we list.

This is what makes dmoz so rich and dynamic. But in the end, we must all follow the guidelines. And since you have so much interest in dmoz, why not become an editor. It is a great learning experience!

It is a shame that we can not submit listings word for word. I know too that some submitters such as yourself would like to actually approve our edits, but unfortunately dmoz does not work like this.

You sent me another mail today asking that the rules be applied fairly on all sites regarding the title issue and I agree with you. However you should refer to the resources already pointed out to you for clarity.

You should also know that I have only somewhat recently taken over that category and am in the process of re-reviewing all of the sites. Your site was reviewed expeditiously, because of your multiple submissions. The other sites in the category which may be out of alignment with guidelines will be reviewed.

I, and other editors, have given your site a lot of attention, because you have indeed submitted multiple requests and emails (even though you say that you do not want to spam).

The spamming should stop or you do indeed risk having your listings banned (see the rules). While some may edit dmoz for ego gratification (I know of none), many edit for more noble reasons. And your accusations regarding ego gratification are very offensive and will get you absolutely no where.

We are volunteers and have a lot of sites to review. Once again if you would like to learn more, please sign up as an editor as you seem to have the time and interest.

Good luck to you and I hope that you will consider constructive ways in which to contribute to dmoz.

Respectfully,
pstroud

actually, we score very high in all but Google. This was started because we will likely have to change our software title to RecruitTrack Recruiting Software due to a possible trademark issue. This is not BS, it's an unfortunate circumstance for our company.

In the process, I was trying to make our description similar to others in the category. I was going for a more accurate description for our product. Customer relationship management is too generic of a term, and someone looking for a general CRM would be disappointed if they came to our site. Our software is Recruiting Software, plain and simple. I do have my preference for the word Recruiting as it's a more common word that someone would use to find a product like ours. I honestly thought the whole purpose of the directory was to make it easier to find relevant web sites. If someone types Recruiting Software, they should be able to find us.