Let’s establish it simple: www.dmoz.org
Now, if I am blessed, you moreover didn’t hit it off the link or you did but you came back here to read my article. Also way, how could you add your website by using some technical ways? You want to know why is the Open Directory Project so important for your website and Google.

One of the most trusted, authoritative links a website can have comes from a listing in the DMOZ directory. Not only does a DMOZ listing tell search engines that your site has passed the quality standards of a rigorous editorial review, it also gives you a link form one of the oldest and important directories on the planet. And, you even get automatically listed in the Google Directory.
Of course, getting listed in DMOZ is easier said than done. The typical DMOZ submission goes something like this – you visit the directory and click suggests URL. You fill out the form, read the Submission Agreement, and click the Submit button. “That was easy “, you think, as you pat your self on the back for a job well done.
Then nothing happens.
Unfortunately, a listing in the Open Directory is notoriously difficult to come by. Because each category is human-edited, you must wait for that human editor to check their ODP editor page, see that you have submitted your site, take the time to mosey on over to your web site and give it a good once cover, then decide that your sites does indeed belong in their category.
This process alone (assuming the editor decides to include your site at all) can take months. It can take even longer if the editor rejects your site or moves your site suggestion off to another category.
However, if you understand how DMOZ works, you will find there are many little known ways to practically guarantee your site will be listed quickly, without lots of waiting or fears of rejection.
The truth is, the reason so many people get their sites rejected by DMOZ is simple…..
They are going about it completely backwards!!!
Instead of just passively submitting your homepage to your preferred category and sitting back to hope you get in, you should be actively searching out areas of DMOZ that are under-populated and desperately need content, then creating pages on your site custom-tailored to be perfect resources for those categories.
When analyzing your site, think beyond the homepage. Ever notice that some sites have dozens or even hundreds of listing in DMOZ? CNN has listed 230,016 times, last I checked.
Most people make the mistake of submitting their homepage to DMOZ, when your chances of being accepted are much better if you find and understand under-served category, write a page specifically designed for that category, and submit that page. From the perspective of building trusted links to your site that is just as good getting your homepage listed and you can do it multiple times for several pages on your site.
It’s perfectly within reason to select a category in the directory, and then develop content on your site so that it matches that category. In fact ODP editors encourage this.
Let’s have a look on details:
Your first option in getting your site listed in DMOZ is of course, to simply submit it. But , as I have said, submission to DMOZ is often a hit-or-miss scenario if you do it wrong. Here are few suggestions to help you in your mission:
- 1st, choose your category. Look around at other sites in DMOZ and pick a category that is perfect fit for your site. Submitting to the wrong category is going to cause your site to either get shuffles around from editor to simply dropped altogether.
Once you have found your category, click Suggest URL at the top of the page. If your don’t see the link to suggest your site, then that category is no longer accepting new listing. You will need to find another category.
Remember that the ODP prides itself on being a true resource for its user, and as such it takes great pains in providing relevant and well organized listings. This means that your site must appear in its appropriate category. However, there is a bit of wiggle room.
Let’s say, for example, your site sells diamonds. You would want to be listed in Shopping/ Jewelry/diamond, but this category is pretty full (200 listings currently). Chances are pretty slim that you will get in.
Check out the related categories instead, for example
Shopping/ Jewelry/diamonds/ brokers (with 6 listings) or Shopping/ Jewelry/diamonds/ fancy diamond (with 4 listing) can your site fit here?
Also notice that these categories have no editors (categories with editors have those editors listed at the bottom of the page, category with no editors usually have a Volunteer to edit this category link at the bottom of the page). That can mean a really long wait, or it may be an excellent opportunity (I‘ll cover this in more detail in a minute).
Also try poking around a bit in the rest of the directory. If you added in formation pages on gemstones, for example, could you fit in the Science/Earth Science/ Geology / Rocks / Gemstones category? OR what about directing some effort into arts and crafts so you can submit to the Arts/Crafts/Jewelry/Gemstones category? Be creative and don’t be afraid to add some new content to your site so you can submit to a less populated category.
- Next, make sure your site is in the tip-top shape before you submit it. Clean up all the broken links, make sure all your images load successfully, and get rid of any shady SEO tricks (like hidden links or keywords stuffing) you may have experimented with in the past.
Also, make sure your site adds something of value to the category. Try thinking of it this way: if you were the editor of this category, would you add your site? Or would you think to yourself, “Nice site, but I already have a listing like this one so I think I‘ll pass”. Hire some one to write some new information pages for you if you have to, but make sure your site offers unique, interesting content that the ODP editor will want to send users to.
- Finally, fill out that submission form like you are applying for college! No misspellings, no mistakes. ODP editors don’t take kindly to sloppiness. Be sure to check out other directory listings and compose your title and description as close to the standard as possible. You want it to be as easy as pie for the editor of your chosen category to just accept your listing.
Let’s say you have submitted your site over and over and still haven’t heard a peep out of the editor. May be its time you became an editor yourself! (That‘ll show ‘em). Being an ODP editor means your will have “behind the scenes” access to the directory, but it isn’t easy. Here is how you will need to go about it:
- Join “Resource Zone”, the ODP’s public forum. Start a conversation with the editors in your prospective category and established a little name reorganization with them. Present yourself as an expert. This can be a great way to suggest a new category and then of course, apply to edit it. When your application shows up, chances are more better that they will remember and kind to you.
- Find a small category that has no editor. Again, you can tell if a category has an editor by scrolling to the bottom of the page. The editor’s user name is listed after Category Editor. If there us no editor, you will see Volunteer to edit this category.
These un-edited categories are usually overseen by some high-level editor (an editor with privileges beyond their own category) and are other mostly abandoned. Sometimes, though the high-level editor may not have their name on the category, but they still edit it (and cherish it) as if it were their own. You are probably not going to get that category.
What you are looking for is a neglected and available category. You can tell if a category is neglected by the number and quality of its listing and by its “special features”. Special features are a FAQ section, the category’s description, or a personalized Mozilla icon at the bottom of the category page. When you look at the bottom right hand side of the page you want to edit, do you see a little sprinting dragon?
That is the default icon for every category. If it is there then chances are no one’s paying attention to this category.
The fact is, editors love to spruce up their category by tending to these special features (its like planting a pretty garden in front of your well-kept house). As you can imagine, its just too much fun and way to easy for editors to personalize with a specialized Mozilla icon.
- Find out your editors application carefully. Like I said earlier, no misspellings and no mistakes! J. They will want you to suggest three URLs on your application, too. Take careful consideration in the URLs you choose- be sure you choose sites that would benefit the directory.
You‘ll also want to make sure that your titles and descriptions meet ODP standards. Remember, if you are accepted, the three sites you suggest on your application will be the first three sites you‘ll add.
- list all your web affiliations. This is where many applications lose- you submit your application, the editor says they think it is great, but you don’t list all of the sites with which you are affiliated. You may be confused at first, but a quick check of your name in Google , Yahoo and Windows live shows that many sites (with which you are certainly not affiliated) list your name.
Before submitting your application, search for your name in the major engine. Any articles you have written that have since been syndicated will show up. So will forums you have participated in or blogs you have guest written for you. And don’t forger mistaken identities- you may not be the only Bill Smith out there. Be sure to explain all of these affiliation identities on your application.
- Finally, expect rejection. It seems that the ODP editors enjoy turning down editor applications, at least a few time, before they accept them. Save your application in a text file so you can try again. Think of this as DMOZ’s process of weeding out those who really want to be editors from those who are just looking for an easy way to get their sit listed
Once you are an editor, you will want to get you site into DMOZ. First and for-most, Be honest about it! If you want to keep your position as editor and if you don’t want your site permanently banned, don’t try to slip your site into your new category on the sly, especially if your sire does not really fit into your new category. As a new editor, you are being watched. Closely. Someone will notice this and list yourself as a trustworthy editor. After a couple of months of diligent editing try one of two options
- If your site matches your category, submit your site along with an editor’s note explaining why you added your own site. You may even want to talk to one of the high-level editors about your decision to add your own site.
- if your site does not match your category, submit it to a different category. Now that you are an editor, you can submit sites under your editor username. These suggestions have higher priority and should get faster attention. Again, be open about that this is your personal site.
Let’s Conclude To ODP Or Not To ODP??
A listing in DMOZ really is all its cracked up to be- there is a reason why it’s some times called the Holy Grail of SEO. And being an ODP editor really is as fun as we make it sound. Sure the pay is non-existent, but maintaining a perfect category really is quite rewarding in itself. That’s why I don’t accept all of the sites that knock on our door- I only want the good ones and I think you buddies also.
Hopefully these suggestions will demystify the acceptance process and help you get that often-sought-after-but-rarely-attained DMOZ listing. If not, oh well, those editors are just a bunch of snobs anyway