Site in directory but not in keyword search results

Our site has been in the directory in the appropriate category for several years but does not appear in search results using the most commonly used keywords for our business. Some competitors do appear in the search results.

1) Why would our site not appear in the search results?

2) Does the fact that it does not affect rankings in search engines that use DMOZ?

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

1) The ODP is not a search engine. It does not spider the content of sites it lists. So the ODP search will only return sites with the search terms in the URL, or the ODP title or description. However it should return relevant categories. The idea is for the user to click on the category and see all the listings there.

2) No. The search engines that regularly spider the ODP will also spider the content of the sites listed in it. Then they have their own algorithms which determine their search results.

Thanks for the explanation but, I have to say, I don't understand why "Search" is featured on the DMOZ home page if DMOZ is designed to be used as a directory. Frankly, I like to use directories, however, the average user doesn't understand (or care) how the Search function works, only that he or she expects relevant results when using any Search tool. Seeing only one relevant site in the search results based on the editor's description (which may use only the singular version of a keyword) is not much incentive to click through to the category.

The ODP search tool has its uses, despite its limitations, so I don't imagine that it will be removed any time soon. It is handy for editors.

I wouldn't worry too much about it though. If people want to search using keywords, they use search engines. Browsing a directory provides an alternative way to search, which some like to use. Or people may use SEs for one type of query and directories for another type.