Really? Is it against the rules? It seems DMOZ editors including Sid don't think so and actually think it is good to list affiliate sites and give those sites multiple deep links. Here is just a few of such affiliate sites with multiple links that was mentioned in my previous posting. More fun with DMOZ
Brizzie this is not true. Lets go back to topix again. I can challenge you if one editor wipes out all topix listings, before the day he/she finishes the login would be wiped out too. There are no rules its either the SKR or AOL.
Let's not, you know nothing of the background of Topix within DMOZ, few people do know the whole story. Topix was an exceptional AOL instigated matter that virtually all editors disagreed with. There are clear instructions on dealing with Topix listings that are not relevant to the locality - delete them. An Admin resigned on principle over them, any editor removed for deleting an inappropriate Topix listing would precipitate the resignation of maybe 50% or more of meta and editall editors. It couldn't and wouldn't happen. I removed some, nothing happened, so I've beaten your challenge. Loads of editors have removed them. Nothing happened. You picked the wrong example to make a point of. However, I will say one thing. Given they were put in place by AOL staff by an agreement with a DMOZ luminary, editors may *feel* intimidated about removing them. Such a feeling is misplaced.
Exactly Brizzie, Topix listings are placed in a lot of categories in Dmoz because of AOL. Topix is owned by Rich Skrenta, one of the co-founders of Newhoo/Dmoz So if AOL wants to place Topix in a category I would think a lot of Dmoz editors would just keep it there.
I think the problem is lack of awareness of the background and conclusions. As I said the whole story is known by very few people. But the key fact is that what AOL did was deemed by virtually all senior editors to have been an error, and therefore it is perfectly acceptable for any editor who comes across an inappropriate Topix link to remove it without any fear of retribution or criticism. I don't recall how clearly this message went out to regular editors, if it did go out, but that is how matters stand. Certainly any editall or above at the time it came to the fore is in no doubt about the situation and remedies.
So its not an actual definition since AOL can dump anything they like. Even though they are craps. Its a lame purpose to compare it to a dictionary.
You own a directory don't you? You can put anything you like in it can't you? Why is that? Coz you own it. But that is unfair to DMOZ. I repeat that virtually all editors viewed it as a mistake on AOL's part. And I get the feeling that the AOL view was something along the lines of it sounded like a good idea at the time. A doh moment. Everyone makes mistakes don't they? The important thing is that where a Topix link is not relevant to the category it can and should be removed and not a single hair on the editor's head will be harmed. The comparison to the Oxford English Dictionary is a bit ambitious but you have to aim high don't you.
I am waiting on one from 5 years ago. Any day now . . . ODP is one of those things I spend seconds on. Submit and forget. I just submitted some sites so we'll see how many years this time.
That's the proper attitude. I haven't had sites listed for a year and a half, and I submitted several - maybe about 20. Of course, as a critical ex-editor, my sites might be under a silent ban. Good thing ODP links aren't worth all that much, and I don't care about them beyond spending the few seconds on the submission. Zero listings out of about 20 submissions in a year and a half, that should tell you that DMOZ is going down the toilet faster than you think. They are good sites, too. 100% unique and creative content, not junk. IN FACT - I haven't even bothered submitting my most recent sites, that's how little I value a DMOZ link. It's not even worth the few seconds. Like I said - my sites are good, I have no trouble getting links.
It's the "most important" but even the "most important" is hardly important at all. Google doesn't use DMOZ's engine. DMOZ doesn't even have a reliable search function for its own database. The only bot that DMOZ has, to my the best of my knowledge, is the 404-checking "Robozilla." If your site is 404 when Robozilla drops by, your site goes back to the queue, often for another couple of years. Google used to attribute some weight to all the sites that used DMOZ data - the ancestors of useless computer-generated MFA sites, if you will. One link in DMOZ used to mean several links in all the clones, see? But Google has come to its senses, and no longer appears to attribute weight to DMOZ clones. So a DMOZ link is truly just a link. And a pretty worthless one, since it brings no traffic. I used to have a single site, but I now have a network of naturally related websites. In the time it takes to submit a site to DMOZ I can have several natural links on topical websites that bring me instant and abundant targetted traffic. These links are infinitely more important that the ODP's - including for ranking purposes. In my limited experience submitting unique-content websites, I calculated that I have less than a 5% chance of making it in the directory in the next two years. These statistics are only going to get worse with time. Luckily, you really don't need an ODP link. Get links on topical websites. They are much better.
You're lucky in the sense that it's a rare even to be listed so quickly, and that you applied in a category where the editor isn't in a coma in a hospital somewhere. But it's like finding a penny on the ground. You feel lucky until it dawns on you that you can't buy anything with it.
I've gotten one of my sites into it one month ago. You may want to closely watch your logs right after submission. After you notice the editor following up on your submission (first refferal from dmoz.org), wait 48 hours (it takes a while between your submission being approved and it actually appearing) and if your site doesn't appear in the directory write a nice e-mail to the editor, asking him why was your site rejected and whether he could provide some pointers for you in order to improve it and reapply. He'll feel a bit flattered and may change his mind even before reapplying with an improved site as per his requests.