The Other Search Engines

**Xdmoz** · 08-26-2002, 06:45 PM

As a top 100 editor with DMOZ and 25,000+ edits, I can probably help you. Know the system inside and out.

Ask your questions and I will try.

**fonzerelli_79** · 08-26-2002, 07:04 PM

i would love your help

i have submitted www.affiliate-review.com and www.affiliate-talk.com to dmoz and have had no response in as many weeks

one category in particular didnt have an editor

any advice regarding this would be greatly appreciated

**Xdmoz** · 08-26-2002, 07:11 PM

When a site looks or smells like "affiliate" the editors press the delete button. Part of the guide lines are no "affiliate" sites.

Also, sites that requie a login to view them are not listed as the editor has no way of knowing what the content may be.

Sorry for the bad news.

Xdmoz

**Xdmoz** · 08-26-2002, 07:15 PM

Notice the spelling error in the above posting I just made. While an error like that will not cause your site not to be edited, it does give the editor reason to edit your description. Use spell check before submitting.

**TimSchroeder** · 08-26-2002, 08:32 PM

Thanks for joining us here at Webmaster-Talk Xdmoz!

It is great to have a DMOZ editor aboard

**fonzerelli_79** · 08-26-2002, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Xdmoz
When a site looks or smells like "affiliate" the editors press the delete button. Part of the guide lines are no "affiliate" sites.

Also, sites that requie a login to view them are not listed as the editor has no way of knowing what the content may be.

Sorry for the bad news.

Xdmoz

i understand that affiliate sites have to be looked into though my site isnt some sort of link farm

i am very unhappy ithat my site was not even looked into - the category the site should be in is http://dmoz.org/Computers/Internet/W...iate_Networks/

if the editor had taken the time to view my site they will see that is not a site with a list of banners or whatever

as for requiring a login - only affiliate-talk requires a login though the whole site is viewable to visitors

i know that this is not your fault and i really appreciate your help in this but you have to look at it from my point of view - there are sites in that category which in my humble opinion arent as good as mine and its frustrating that an editor could have just deleted my addition without even checking out the site

**TimSchroeder** · 08-26-2002, 09:00 PM

IMO Fonz's sites are definitely worth a listing.

This forum was listed...

**fonzerelli_79** · 08-26-2002, 09:03 PM

i hope your right chief

im really grateful for Xdmoz helping out here but maybe i have put two and two together but it sounds like the editor has saw the word affiliate and just deleted it but surely an editor would at least check it out if they are the editor of the affiliate section - its not as if my sites on geocites or whatever

**Xdmoz** · 08-26-2002, 09:29 PM

There are a lot of things frustrating about the DMOZ..that is the reason my handle is X Dmoz.

In my personal opinion the sites were submitted to the proper category, however it would be best to submit only one of them, when submitting to the same category.

When you submit your sites to DMOZ they look at the submission IP number. This tells them if the same person is submitting more than one site that may be very related.

There has been more than one person, including editors that have problems because of their IP number. If two or three individuals use the same ISP and happen to hit the same IP numbers in their log in, it looks like they are trying to spam the system.

There are some sections of DMOZ that has many unedited sites. The last numbers I saw the unedited was approaching towards the 1 million unreviewed in the system. Thus it is very possible your sites have never been looked at.

If I were you I would look at the category and send a very polite e-mail to the editor. In your case it would be editor gimbo at:

http://dmoz.org/profiles/gimbo.html

In the event an editor is not listed, do not worry about that. The system is set up in such a way sites without editors are maintained.

**fonzerelli_79** · 08-26-2002, 09:35 PM

ive sent gimbo an email

thanks ever so much for your advice - i think the ip thing is good although how long is the ip details kept

would someone who submitted again after say 4 weeks of no contact be considered a spammer?

**Xdmoz** · 08-26-2002, 09:49 PM

If the first site was never edited and the 2nd site was submitted to the same category it could be a problem, but probably not. The system allows them to view ALL submissions to a category by title, date or URL at the same time.

Two assumptions:

a. The site wasn't edited. Most likely you would not have a problem. The editors do not consider it spamming if you submit the 2nd time within 4 weeks. In fact there are many sites that are submitted 2 or 3 times at the same time. Maybe once from the DMOZ site, a 2nd and 3rd one from a couple of the search engines.

b. Assuming your site was edited and rejected. There is an editors note that will live with that site from now on that gives the action taken by the editor and in most cases why.

The ones that have problems are sites that are mirror sites, or almost mirror sites of the same content.

As far as the two sites being discussed are concerned they are to different sites however the luck of the draw (which editor you get) may determine the results.

Since the guide lines state no affiliate sites and you submit to a category for affiliate site you shouldn't have a problem however if you submitted the same site to the town where your office is located you probably would.

**fonzerelli_79** · 08-26-2002, 09:53 PM

thanks for the feedback

personally the worst part for me is not knowing
i actually applied to be an editor too but was rejected, though the response came under 24 hours - very quick

**Xdmoz** · 08-26-2002, 10:09 PM

If anyone wants to apply to be an editor be sure and read the guidelines before submitting. Follow the direction exactly as they want to see if you can follow directions.

I would suggest you try again if it has been a while since you applied. They do not object to you adding our own sites as long as you give others equal treatment.

**fonzerelli_79** · 08-26-2002, 10:12 PM

this is the very descriptive response i got

Quote:

Dear Kevin Muldoon,

Thank you for your interest in becoming an Open Directory Project editor.
After careful review, we have decided not to approve your application at
this time. The most common reasons a reviewer will deny a new application
include, but are not limited to,

* Incomplete application. Insufficient information has been provided in some
fields including reason, affiliation and/or Sample URLs.
* Improper spelling and grammar.
* Sample URLs are inappropriate for the category which one has applied to
edit. They may be too broad, too narrow, completely out of scope, poor
quality, or in a language inappropriate for the category. All non-English
sites are listed in the World category. Applications for World categories
that include sites only in English will be denied. Likewise, applications
for World categories that include sample URLs in languages other than the one
appropriate for the applied category will be denied.
* Not properly disclosing affiliations with websites that are, or have the
potential of being, listed in the category.
* Titles and descriptions of sample URLs (and other information provided)
were subjective and promotional rather than unbiased and objective. ODP
editors do not rank or write website reviews. ODP editors provide objective
and unbiased descriptions of websites and their content.
* Self-Promotion. Application which leads us to believe that the candidate is
interested primarily in promoting his/her own sites or those with which the
applicant is affiliated. The ODP is not a marketing tool, and should not be
used to circumvent the site submission process. If this is an applicant's
motivation for joining, then we ask him/her not to apply. Editors found to be
inappropriately promoting their own site will be promptly removed.

Due to the large number of applications we get every day, we are unable to
provide personal responses to every application or to respond to inquiries
about why you were rejected. If a reviewer chose to provide additional
comments to you, they will be given in the "Reviewer Comments" section below.

Your willingness to volunteer is greatly appreciated and perhaps we will be
able to utilize your talent in the future.

Regards,
The Open Directory Project

Reviewer Comments:

i applied around 4 weeks ago

**Xdmoz** · 08-26-2002, 10:17 PM

Typical reply letter. Look it over, read it carefully, see what you may have done wrong, do a spell check, proper English and try again.

**fonzerelli_79** · 08-26-2002, 10:23 PM

well the becoming an editor form is very time consuming - this doesnt bother me really but it will if i get the same response tomorrow

maybe its because i asked to become an editor in a category related to my site though it didnt have an editor- i know why self promotion rule is there and i think its good though its impossible to persuade them you wouldnt abuse it

maybe i would get in a different category though it makes sense to be an editor of a category which you have experience with

**Xdmoz** · 08-26-2002, 10:35 PM

If you are going to submit again, let me use your posting as an example of what not to do. I am not trying to pick on you but think this would be beneficial for anyone considering applying.

"well the becoming an editor form is very time consuming - this doesnt bother me really but it will if i get the same response tomorrow"

Sentence does not start with an upper case letter, doesnt should be doesn't, i should be I, sentence should end with a period.

Thus something like this:

The becoming an editor form is very time consuming. This doesn't bother me but it will if I get the same response tomorrow.

Good luck on your submission.

xdmoz

**fonzerelli_79** · 10:41 PM

its ok your not picking on me

- though obviously i take my time when submitting a form like this and my way of writing would be much better than when posting in a forum
it isn't like a text message - b4 for before etc

what i want to know is - can i become an editor of a related category or do you think i should apply for an unrelated subject

**Xdmoz** · 08-26-2002, 10:42 PM

There isn't any problem with going after a related category.

Pick out a small category rather than a big one, make sure it is one you can find sites to list in it. After you have made a few edits, you can then apply for a larger category and eventually get into the one you want.

If you are approved for a small one, you can usually go to Google, AltaVista etc. and find sites to add to the cat.

They want to see if you will go out and find sites and how you edit those sites.

**fonzerelli_79** · 08-26-2002, 10:43 PM

yeah i think that might be a better idea

i think ill apply for a smaller category first