Hi all, Looks like the people at BOTW just got mad with this thread and they completely deleted the category http://botw.org/top/Computers/Internet/Searching_the_Internet/Directories/Niche_Directories/ LOLOLOLOL I was refunded with no explanation, but probably because the category no longer exists. Cheers
Saw this last night but figured it would have been resolved by now. I see that the category (Niche) has been deleted (no longer linked to from the parent) and a few of the listings were moved up to Searching_the_Internet/Directories.
All this is very strange to they think is no important to have this category, now after all this years, they refunded my Ask Directory submission without any explanation. Hope Mr. Charlie or other explains better the situation. Freewebindex and dirspace where added in the last month :S
It makes sense in a way, up until now they were pushing the not so big directories in that niche category. However, they weren't niche directories, most of them where general directories so that category was almost a dump of smaller directories. It didn't look good. What would probably make more sense is to create a new category called Smaller Directories or something like that that.
I agree completely with you dkessaris and I say they should create one category “small directories†and keep “niche directories†category but put there the real niche directories like “SEO nicheâ€, “multimedia niche†etc. They just wipe out the category, now where you put the smaller directories , and I don’t see any listed niche before or now.
Strangely I don’t see any feedback on this thread from Mister Charlie or other BOTW staff member I send then 5 e-mails asking why I was refunded and still no reply very strange, normally they reply very fast.
Our apologies for the delay in response - we had a long weekend here in the US... As is the case with a directory, we periodically reorganize categories to help the user find information in a more intuitive manner. In so doing, we reclassified most of the sites that were in the Niche Directories category. Quite frankly, the category didn't make much sense - a niche directory would be properly classified in a Directories subcategory under a topical category. So, for instance, a legal directory (a true niche dir) would be better classified under Society>Legal>Directories rather than in a grab bag of niche directories in one category. So, we evaluated each site in the category, and moved those that needed moving to the applicable category. I believe that all listings that were removed were refunded their money. If that is not the case, please PM me, and I will have it looked into ASAP. I hope this helps in clearing up any of the confusion.
Mister Charlie, thanks for your feedback. Just one thing what happens to small general directories, where they are listed or they no longer have a place at BOTW? Or the only option is to sponsor a category . Cheers
General directories would be listed in Computers/Internet/Searching_the_Internet/Directories/ When you say "small" does that mean empty? Does that mean a directory with sparse categories? Or just a couple hundred listings? If so, then I'd recommend waiting to submit. When the directory is "comprehensive" and provides valuable resources to users, it may be time to submit. If the directory has a lot of gaps, or has limited listings, it's not ready for BOTW.
BOTW was the first big directory to list one of my sites....without my submission. As for your rejection, that really sucks and I'm sure with the proper communication things can be worked out.
Sorry to bump you this year old thread but, need feedback from previous submitters. My submission to BOTW was rejected earlier today. Hoping to get listed I used one time review fee ($239.95) option. This is the first time I was rejected by a bigger directory. The reason is pretty automatic "Site lacks substantive unique content". I have no intention of resubmitting another site or requesting a second review. After seeing posts here I am pretty certian they will reject the site again. So what could I possibly do now? Your ideas are much appreciated.