ODP Results

Apart from Google, which search engines make use of or incorporate ODP data in their results?

Search for "sites using ODP data" in the ODP search... There's a category for such stuff.

This is what you're looking for: Computers/Internet/Searching/Directories/Open_Directory_Project/Sites_Using_ODP_Data/

The other that uses its data most prominantly is Netscape. AOL also uses it to a lesser extent and might increase its use later on.

Oddly enough, Inktomi, which powers search engines, has been using ODP descriptions for many sites. This has led to searches on MSN and LookSmart giving ODP results.

Altavista used to use ODP data but LookSmart paid them a lot of money to use their data instead (see http://news.com.com/2100-1023-243711.html?legacy=cnet )

Thanks guys for a comprehensive response.

Other thought: Given that your directory is dynamically updated, why is there a statement showing last update after search at the page bottom? What is the significance and is it relevant?

«why is there a statement showing last update after search at the page bottom? What is the significance and is it relevant? »

The search function on the dmoz site runs off of an index which must be periodically regenerated. (I believe this happens about twice a week). Changes made to individual categories and site listings are generally immediately visible when browsing the directory, but will only show up in the search engine once a new index ("search database") has been created.

So if your site is added on 2/14, but the search database is from 2/13, it will not show up in a search. Once the database is generated after 2/14 (say, 2/17), the site will show up in a search.

It's mostly useful to editors and those submitting sites; who are the primary users of the dmoz.org site.

Note that some changes are being made to search at present, and it is coming up as unavailable; you can still see the last update note at the bottom of the results page, however.

-sam

Thanks for the reply, Sam.

So it is the updated index that is made available to external agents. In other words, since my site has been added but the index (for whatever reason) remains unchanged since 8 April, my site (and others added since that date) will not be picked up by other engines until the index is next refreshed.

Almost right Igor. /images/icons/smile.gif The search function and the database used by outside directories are separate things. The search function is updated about twice a week as Sam indicated and is used only at ODP. The RDF "dump" (database) is updated about once a week. There were a few technical glitches that have cropped up in the past couple weeks delaying a recent dump from being available. Recently we had an indication that there should be a new dump available soon.

Someone else may be able to explain this better than I have. RDF usage questions are best asked in the "Using ODP Data" forum.

Thanks, Marissa. I looked at your bio. Ah, a lady. I had to laugh: 'Shopping>Clothing'. /images/dmoz/biggrin.gif

I dunno, I think editing in Shopping might take nerves of steel. /images/icons/wink.gif

/images/icons/laugh.gif /images/icons/laugh.gif /images/icons/laugh.gif True enough, Steve.

Dunno nerves, but a cast-iron stomach is definitely a requirement.

Just to let you know, there's a new RDF out now. /images/icons/smile.gif