Those of you who have studied the art of SEO know how important a link from DMOZ can be. It isn’t necessarily the link that gives the most value as it is the large amount of scrapers. One link from the DMOZ directory can bring hundreds, even thousands of links. Hell, even Google scrapes DMOZ.
With that being said, BadEvan has granted us the pleasure of answering a few questions on his dealings with the directory.
What made you want to become a DMOZ editor?
Truthfully it was the fact that the category I wanted my site to be listed in was severely lacking any support. There hadn’t been a single edit/listing in over a year. So, I decided to apply to be an editor of that section. I figured I knew a ton about the topic and a few hours a week I could devote to it.
How long have you been an editor?
A little over a year. Feels like a decade, though.
Specifically, what do you look for in a website?
Original content, recent updates, focus on the main topic being requested. I also look at the site design and layout. If you look like crap your content probably is, too. How easy is it for people to find the information they are looking for on your site? Do you have new ideas or themes? Or are you just paraphrasing the same ideas that are already out there? Is your main focus of the site to sell me (the reader) something? I take all of that into account. Since I deal with the GLBT community, defining what’s sexuality and erotica/porn/adult are a large part of my time.
What is the #1 reason for a site to be denied?
Trying to get listed in the wrong category. We don’t have time to pour over all the applications and try and decide what category you best fit in. So requesting the wrong category will get your request deleted real quick. See, each category editor has different idea of what should be included in specific categories. It’s up to that category editor to make the call. So, instead of wasting their/our time…We just delete you. Unless I know for sure that you fit perfect in another category, then I’ll move your request.
If you could give one piece of advice to everyone who submits, what would it be?
Do your home work. Research all the categories that have even a smidgen of relation to your topic. Find the best match that looks like it’s had recent additions/deletions. Then write out a great “About” intro. We tend to rewrite these, but if you write a great, non-sales pitch, intro…it’ll make you stand out a bit more than all the other applications. So, keep it short and to the point. What’s your site all about? How does it relate to the category you’re requesting? But keep it under 60 words.
Is there anything you would like to add?
Be nice to those editors out there trying to help people better their odds of getting added. I put my self out there to help you guys. I answer questions and give advice. For FREE! I get paid nothing to edit nor do I think I/we should. That said I get mad when people harp on me and talk smack. I have a list of people that have dissed me publicly,because I’m an editor. Their words come back to haunt them. “I hate DMOZ and all you editors.” “I don’t care if I get listed.” We will remember that the next time you apply. We also inform the editors of your category if you should get listed…
I would like to thank Bad Evan for doing this interview, it has been a pleasure. Be sure to check out his blog at BadEvan
Written: Oct 22, 2008
Tags: directories, dmoz, internet marketing, interviews, Web Development
g1smd
October 28, 2008 @ 5:25 am | Reply
*** They have responsibility. If you are not up to it, you resign. ***
Let me rephrase that… perhaps you have a blog. What if I come along and tell you “Now that you have a blog, you have a responsibility to your readers to post an article every day without fail otherwise you should close it down”.
You would rightly say that you post on it as and when you want to…
rishi
December 16, 2008 @ 1:03 pm | Reply
I can’t suggest anything. When I try to suggest a URL I get a proxy error. Does anyone know whats going on with DMOZ?