I found that as of last week one of my sites has been included in the directory during the new update. Well at least I think it has. When I search for my site using the directory search feature the site comes up and even shows what category it is in. However, when I go to that page it is not to be found. So am I in the directory or not?
It's how it starts... you can show up in the search prior to seeing your site in that category. An easy way to tell is...... are you listed in Dmoz??? If you are in Dmoz you will be in GD it just takes a few weeks or so.
Yes it is in DMOZ. So you are saying this is normal Stuart? I have other sites that seemed to have gotten on the page right away. Oh well, if this is the way it is then I have found some comfort.
Do you see the same happenning in DMOZ as well (appear in the search results but not within the actual category)?
In ODP search results lag behind the category by a long while - the definitive "is it in the ODP?" answer should always be found by looking in the category. I can't speak for Google, though.
It's normal - for Google. I checked and some sites newly added to DMOZ show up in Google with the new DMOZ description, but are not in the directory. Some don't have the new description, and Google directory search says they are not there, but if you go to the Google directory category they are there. Some are not showing in Google at all. In your case a search says you are in the category, but it's not using the DMOZ description, and it's not yet in the category.
Yes, this has been the process as long as I can remember. The GD has to catch up with Dmoz and it can take a few weeks. Congrats on getting in. Those sites must have made it in Dmoz right before GD updated.