SEO: DMOZ… Are You Listed?
Do you know what the “Open Directory Project” is? If you don’t, and you’re interested in getting a really top notch backlink, you should. The directory belongs to Google.
DMOZ.org (AKA ODP) is an Internet Directory that is human edited, and the listing is free. And though it’s an awesome backlink to have, the listing is very difficult to acquire. In fact, one of the only ways that gives you an edge is to become a DMOZ editor. That means you have to select, describe and organize websites to increase the size of the directory, and it’s not easy to become an editor, either.
You have to apply. You have to select a few sites in the category you want to edit and supply descriptions for them. And you have to remain active. Any editor who hasn’t been active in four months will be expired. So, it’s not a “do it now and then” sort of thing.
So, what should you do?
Find the appropriate category for your site, submit, and keep your fingers crossed. You MIGHT get into the directory. However, it’s not certain. I entered Tellman’s Instant ADD Success site in there almost three years ago, and there is still no listing for that.
What’s the bottom line?
Don’t worry too much about getting a DMOZ listing. It’s great to have, but not critical. I’d still submit my site, but make perfectly sure that I’m in the correct category and that my site is quality enough to add. Who knows? You could get lucky and some smart editor will be happy to enter your site.
But don’t hold your breath.
And don’t try to get crappy AdSense sites, squeeze pages, or other sites into the directory that don’t contain good, solid content. That’s just bogging the editors down and not providing good content for the Web. Your site will probably never be listed, anyway. Use good judgment when submitting and follow the instructions carefully. Then, you at least have a fighting chance.
