Handling redirects

jeanmanco · Mar 30, 2006

I just had a private query which I feel can be usefully answered here, as others may have similar concerns.

Q. Suppose I have two websites and one of them is listed in DMOZ, but I make that website redirect to my other website with the same content. Would you just change the link? I am afraid you would delete it right away instead of switching over.

A. Where a redirect is a straightforward url change with same content, and this is a useful listing that we don't want to lose, then editors like to update promptly. There are sometimes delays, but less so than in the past, because update requests now stand out internally.

However redirects may not be straightforward. Let's say that company A buys domain B (formerly that of a competitor) and redirects it to domain A. We may already have a listing for domain A. Sometimes we don't, but in that case A is in the same position as any new submission (suggestion) and needs review. An editor who is doing a QC run may not have time for that. Or may feel that the category editor is the expert on this topic and review is best left to him/her.

Or a redirect may lead to a dead end or hijacked site. Or it may be that the content is the same, but no longer meets our rising standards. In that case a redirect could lead to deletion.

In short redirects are handled in a variety of ways, appropriate to the case.

vegas · Apr 1, 2006

dead end ?

jeanmanco said:
I just had a private query which I feel can be usefully answered here, as others may have similar concerns.

Q. Suppose I have two websites and one of them is listed in DMOZ, but I make that website redirect to my other website with the same content. Would you just change the link? I am afraid you would delete it right away instead of switching over.

A. Where a redirect is a straightforward url change with same content, and this is a useful listing that we don't want to lose, then editors like to update promptly. There are sometimes delays, but less so than in the past, because update requests now stand out internally.

However redirects may not be straightforward. Let's say that company A buys domain B (formerly that of a competitor) and redirects it to domain A. We may already have a listing for domain A. Sometimes we don't, but in that case A is in the same position as any new submission (suggestion) and needs review. An editor who is doing a QC run may not have time for that. Or may feel that the category editor is the expert on this topic and review is best left to him/her.

Or a redirect may lead to a dead end or hijacked site. Or it may be that the content is the same, but no longer meets our rising standards. In that case a redirect could lead to deletion.

In short redirects are handled in a variety of ways, appropriate to the case.

Thank you for this explaination but too late for me, my nightmare happened and editor decided to delete my valuable website that I have spend my last 3 years on it.
This is my sad story: <sad story deleted - it's been brought up in other threads and doesn't need yet another>

any help will be appreciated.

hutcheson · Apr 1, 2006

Sorry, but we no longer give submittal status reports here.

Without knowing specifics, it's hard to limit the possibilities. We assume that the vast majority of editing actions are made deliberately to benefit the directory -- and so it has proven, year in year out.

Was the site deleted for the reason given in the Submittal Policies? Could have been.

Is the site waiting a full re-review under its different name? Could be.

Was an editor angered by something you did? Could be, but most people have to work harder than you did, to anger an editor (admittedly, you've tried harder than many.) In other words, not likely.

Most important of all: in any of these cases, would there be any reason for you to suggest the site again, or to lobby further? No, there wouldn't. The editors have been told about the site: for a site worth listing, that is all that is needed: for a site not worth listing, any more would be spamming.

vegas · Apr 1, 2006

thank you Hutcheson

hutcheson said:
Sorry, but we no longer give submittal status reports here.

Without knowing specifics, it's hard to limit the possibilities. We assume that the vast majority of editing actions are made deliberately to benefit the directory -- and so it has proven, year in year out.

Was the site deleted for the reason given in the Submittal Policies? Could have been.

Is the site waiting a full re-review under its different name? Could be.

Was an editor angered by something you did? Could be, but most people have to work harder than you did, to anger an editor (admittedly, you've tried harder than many.) In other words, not likely.

Most important of all: in any of these cases, would there be any reason for you to suggest the site again, or to lobby further? No, there wouldn't. The editors have been told about the site: for a site worth listing, that is all that is needed: for a site not worth listing, any more would be spamming.

Hutcheson, thank you for the quick reply, First of all, I have explained the situation in detail here, don't know why my post shrank, explained the situation with all the aspects.

hutcheson said:
Without knowing specifics...

would you please ask me questions to find out specifics ?

hutcheson said:
Was the site deleted for the reason given in the Submittal Policies

I have read and understood the submittal policies before I took such action, this is not likely the reason.

hutcheson said:
Is the site waiting a full re-review under its different name?

I hope this is the case, I don't want to lose my hope..

hutcheson said:
Was an editor angered by something you did?

I hope I didn't, I couldn't be more polite when I have requested the updates, I know editors have to deal with alot of annoying people.

hutcheson said:
Most important of all: in any of these cases, would there be any reason for you to suggest the site again, or to lobby further?

All I wanted is to bring editor's attention that our main website with all the content should be listed and I notified the editor about our decision on redirecting this listed website to our main website for visitors. I have brought this up here and the answers from editors' opinion was mostly positive. Now all I am afraid of is that I made the editor mad and he will never list my website indefinetely. Please editors, help me to dig myself out of this hole. Regards

hutcheson · Apr 1, 2006

There is no provision for lobbying. And there is no need for it. It serves no useful societal purpose. Just stop.

vegas · Apr 1, 2006

jeanmanco

jeanmanco said:
I just had a private query which I feel can be usefully answered here, as others may have similar concerns.

Q. Suppose I have two websites and one of them is listed in DMOZ, but I make that website redirect to my other website with the same content. Would you just change the link? I am afraid you would delete it right away instead of switching over.

A. Where a redirect is a straightforward url change with same content, and this is a useful listing that we don't want to lose, then editors like to update promptly. There are sometimes delays, but less so than in the past, because update requests now stand out internally.

However redirects may not be straightforward. Let's say that company A buys domain B (formerly that of a competitor) and redirects it to domain A. We may already have a listing for domain A. Sometimes we don't, but in that case A is in the same position as any new submission (suggestion) and needs review. An editor who is doing a QC run may not have time for that. Or may feel that the category editor is the expert on this topic and review is best left to him/her.

Or a redirect may lead to a dead end or hijacked site. Or it may be that the content is the same, but no longer meets our rising standards. In that case a redirect could lead to deletion.

In short redirects are handled in a variety of ways, appropriate to the case.

Hi Jeanmarco, I hope you can help me in this issue, sorry for the private message, but now you know why I was scared to ask you here.

jeanmanco said:
Where a redirect is a straightforward url change with same content, and this is a useful listing that we don't want to lose, then editors like to update promptly

This is I beleive the case if you take a look at my website, you can confirm this too.

jeanmanco said:
However redirects may not be straightforward. Let's say that company A buys domain B

This is not the case, because editor knew the first site and listed site A first, then editor changed it to site B without my request. Later on I have decided not to use site B anymore and notified the editor about redirecting site B to A, editor deleted site B instead of changing it but hopefully he is taking his time to review site A one more time

jeanmanco said:
Or a redirect may lead to a dead end or hijacked site. Or it may be that the content is the same, but no longer meets our rising standards..

This is the website that I have spend my about 3 years on it and it was originally listed for about 2 years before editor has changed to site B.
I am really curious about your opinion jeanmanco because I have talked to you before I made this request, is it too early to panic? is there a way to find out if the editor mad at me ? thank you for your help.

hutcheson · Apr 1, 2006

There is never any reason to panic about a free listing in a volunteer-built directory. Things happen when they happen ... not as many good things as we'd like, but more good things than any one of us (except perhaps orlady) could do by ourselves.

There is no way to find out any kind of status. And there is nothing productive you could do if you did find out (which is one of the reasons nobody is interested in implementing such a feature.)

jeanmanco · Apr 1, 2006

Vegas - Please understand that although your site is very important to you, there are millions of webmasters out there who are just as concerned about their sites. So when it became known that people could ask for their site's listing status here, RZ was overwhelmed with requests. And although people were so desperate for information, we couldn't really tell them anything that would be of practical use to them. So site status checks were discontinued.
http://resource-zone.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=39116

vegas · Apr 1, 2006

jeanmanco said:
Vegas - Please understand that although your site is very important to you, there are millions of webmasters out there who are just as concerned about their sites. So when it became known that people could ask for their site's listing status here, RZ was overwhelmed with requests. And although people were so desperate for information, we couldn't really tell them anything that would be of practical use to them. So site status checks were discontinued.
http://resource-zone.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=39116

Thank you for quick reply, jeanmarco,
my question wasn't really about the status of my website (it wasn't even my own website, it was company's website), my concern is that I have asked you a question and based on the answer I get from you and windharp, I have requested update, and my website deleted completely. Please don't get me wrong, I am not blaming you or other editors who have given me advise, my main question is to you is that if the editor's decision was unfair and I would like to know your thoughts about it. , but do you agree with me if the editor decided to delete my website indefinetely, would that be unfair for my particular situation?
thank you

jeanmanco · Apr 1, 2006

Vegas - I get the feeling that you were worried about an update request leading to deletion in your case, because you knew that it might not be seen as a straightforward redirect. Since I have now taken a look at the other thread where you discussed the matter, I can see why.

In fact the story was too complicated for me to do more than skim over. It would be pointless for me to investigate in detail. It would duplicate the work of other editors to no purpose, because I wouldn't in the end be able to tell you anything. That would be a site check or site review, which we don't do here.

Now I realise that this isn't what you want to hear. But the good news is that the ODP is not the only directory around. For commercial sites there is always the option of paid listings in Yahoo or elsewhere. Naturally you might like to save your money, so I can see that some sort of forecast of when/if your site might be listed in the ODP would be handy. Lots of people would like that! But we can't provide it, I'm afraid. Not without a crystal ball.

motsa · Apr 1, 2006

This thread has become little more than a rehashing of questions that vegas has already asked many times so I'm closing it. Vegas, please do not keep asking here about your site, not in the existing thread(s) and not in a new thread. Thanks.

Handling redirects

jeanmanco

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vegas

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hutcheson

vegas

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hutcheson

vegas

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hutcheson

jeanmanco

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vegas

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jeanmanco

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motsa