The Other Search Engines

**techguru** · 09-25-2003, 10:14 AM

Fix your servers and stop using donated equipment. The web needs a new open directory project.

**david** · 09-25-2003, 11:06 AM

Although it annoys me that DMOZ are having so many problems, I still think they are doing a great job. I can't find any data on the subject, but I'm sure that many hundreds of servers and thousands of gigabytes of data transfer are needed to keep the directory running. DMOZ run no ads, take no money from users and don't profit from their operations. They also provide their data for free to many commercial sites who make a lot of money from it. They're doing the best they can but unless they can get a massive injection of funds there's not much more they can do.

Just out of interest who would prefer DMOZ to take advertising, if it improved service? How about if they placed adverts on sites using their data? Or what if they charged for sites to use their data?

**techguru** · 09-25-2003, 12:02 PM

I think they need competition with everyone using dmoz data to power their own directories makes them a monopoly directory. It’s hard to find a directory on the web that’s not pulling dmoz data.

**DaveTodd** · 09-27-2003, 09:13 AM

I don't see how they can still be running when they don't charge for things - who is funding them?
They provide so much to so many people, and they're totally human-viewed before sites get in, so they have a very good streaming process.
I'd like to see them start charging to use their data, so they break even, just enough to cover their expenditures. If they charged something like 10k per year to all the places that use their results, they'd easily break even, possibly in profit, and could therefore update their equipment.
If they did this, they'd then become an even better investment. Companys like Google make a huge amount each year, so can easily afford 10k to Dmoz to keep it running. If Dmoz goes, there'll be problems finding another directory of equal stature, it would take months or even years to build up one as comprehensive.
Pay Dmoz, and keep the webs best directory

**techguru** · 09-27-2003, 09:35 AM

Dmoz is run for free by AOL/Netscape

Both company’s don’t have a bright future

**LinkAdage** · 09-28-2003, 04:43 PM

A DMOZ listing is overrated. Efforts are better spent getting your links on in-context sites.

**LinkAdage** · 10-04-2003, 02:40 PM

One thing a DMOZ listing does is give your site a bit of credibility. Also, I believe, but can't prove, that Google gives sites in DMOZ a better ranking position with all other variables being equal.

**Omni** · 10-12-2003, 11:20 AM

I agree with LinkAdage on the last point in that a DMOZ listing is the same as any other pages. However, because DMOZ is used by so many websites, I think you benefit a fair bit from it anyways.

**12noon** · 11-22-2003, 12:09 PM

Yup, Dmoz might be doing the best they can, but it's a bit of a pain when you submit a site and then have to wait about 6 months only to find out that your site isn't listed.

You submit again and now your waiting another 6 month (1 year in all). I don't think thats good enough !

**LookPortal** · 11-22-2003, 12:42 PM

Yes, the problem is thier whole business model is to be an open directory that is totally free. If they started charging for thier Feed or added ads it goes against that. I think maybe they should do like yahoo and add a paid "express submission"

option. If you want to listed in 24 or 48 hours pay a little something.

**12noon** · 11-22-2003, 12:53 PM

Good idea LookPortal, sounds good to me.

I'd be happy to pay instead of waiting all the time.

**SinisterX** · 01-05-2004, 12:24 AM

linkadage has a great point

**john546** · 01-08-2004, 10:24 AM

I always thought that the DMOZ directory was a part of Google!

Well if it's not, maybe DMOZ could try joining up with the Adsense program. LOL!

**milomedia** · 01-09-2004, 09:57 AM

I've submitted several good sites to dmoz, and haven't seen them appear in the directory yet. These are sites that are riding high on google. However, sites that I submitted 2 years ago are all there. Maybe we should all go volunteer to be editors on DMOZ and they will become more efficient. Or maybe we can just let them go down with the captain when netscape sinks. I haven't noticed any additional traffic on my sites that are listed in dmoz.

Let's face it, as someone searching the web, why go any further than google? I think such a large percentage of internet users use the big 4: google, yahoo, aol, msn. 3 of the 4 you get into just by being in google.

As for the other 10% of web traffic? (as not found on google, yahoo, msn, or aol) Let the bottom feeders scuttle each other for it. Although that may just be my disdain for Lycos coming out... and.. it's too early to think!!!