Add A Category...Worth It?

Discussion in 'Directories' started by LakeCountry, Aug 22, 2007.

  1. #1
    Does your directory have a "suggest a category" or "add a category" feature. If so do you find it helpful or a nuisense.

    I'm thinking about removing it on mine altogether because I have had maybe two or three categories suggested that I actually liked and approved. Most of the time I get some kind of crap stuff which brings me to another question. Why would someone waste their time submitted spam in the add a category? Could it be some kind of automated thing because sometimes I get whole pages of gibberish stuff that make no sense.
     
    LakeCountry, Aug 22, 2007 IP
  2. smub

    smub Notable Member

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    #2
    no i dont have it on my site ... and from the past experience it is more spam rather than real suggestions ... usually if someone really needs it ... they contact me via contact form ... or they just submit to the most relative category and i make a category if needed
     
    smub, Aug 22, 2007 IP
  3. GreenStalkDirectory

    GreenStalkDirectory Well-Known Member

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    #3
    It's generally an automated thing that submits to the add a category field when it's gibberish. I replaced my suggest form with just my email address so people have to email me when they want to suggest to add a category. The spam was just too much. I find that I get less real suggestions now that users have to email me to suggest though. I may go back to the form but with image verification.
     
    GreenStalkDirectory, Aug 22, 2007 IP
  4. dargre

    dargre Peon

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    #4
    smub,
    day by day I see we have similar opinions on some things :)
    Seems it's coming from some experience with running directories.

    I also think 'category suggest' feature can bring more trouble than positives.
    In most cases there is contact form, so submitter can always ask for new category if he really needs it.
    Happened on my dirs few times.

    And seperate form for suggesting category for me is complete useless.
    If someone insists to have it - better create new field on submit page.
    it's much better for both: admin and submitter .
    Submitter doesn't have to fill 2 different forms, dir owner can easily associate link with suggested category.
     
    dargre, Aug 22, 2007 IP
  5. malcolm1

    malcolm1 Prominent Member

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    #5
    Hello...

    Personally ive been thinking of adding it to all of mine...
    I think that each database will grow into other areas and be more unique.

    I could always just have it on the main network site and accomplish the same so...

    Problem is the clown that sends this crap...

    Zdorov: http://crap-it./casa-affi.html[/url] casa bambu affi casa bambu afficase-torri-del-benaco.html[/url] case torri del benaco [url=http://case.casa-it.cn/case-torri-del-benaco.htm

    Not that it matters as he has been all but eliminated and im sure that
    an0n or silk or someone could easy figure out a spam guard for the catagories
    if he starts getting to bad...

    BUT... whats getting really bad is the ones that are Asking for link exchanges
    that are using the contact forms.. :(


    thx
    malcolm
     
    malcolm1, Aug 22, 2007 IP
  6. Obelia

    Obelia Notable Member

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    #6
    I have always had a comments field which allows submitters to add extra info, including suggesting a category, at the same time as the submission. It's actually fairly rare to get useful category submissions.
     
    Obelia, Aug 22, 2007 IP
  7. smub

    smub Notable Member

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    #7

    learning and learning from the best and have been improving on various things so obviously will be sharing your opinions :p

    yes but i only said it because i have had run many directories as tests which helped me learn alot and than after all i made idk ... though i did make some mistakes which i will recover when i make my secret new weapon :p
     
    smub, Aug 22, 2007 IP
  8. The Pheonix

    The Pheonix Banned

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    #8
    Yes it is worth it, for one it allows more interaction for users and the way their results are displayed, it can also help when someone submits a suggestion to a niche directory.
     
    The Pheonix, Aug 22, 2007 IP
  9. coolsitez

    coolsitez Well-Known Member

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    #9
    Some submitters don't seem to buy links for PR. I had few requests from submitters to create category links for them regardless of other categories (rather general).
     
    coolsitez, Aug 22, 2007 IP