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Good question. I know they take a very dim view of affiliates for some odd reason. I applied countless times in the past and was rejected.
You’ve probably already seen this, but here’s how they address the subject in their editing guidelines:
“Why Doesn’t the ODP List These Sites?
It’s not the business model we don’t like. It’s the mirrored and duplicated content. For example, suppose you have a company offering data storage products and services. They have exclusive resellers who provide a front for selling their products and services. While the reseller sites may be designed and written differently, their content and aim are exactly the same. Adding sites with the same content or that point to the same place are not unique or useful.”Also:
“General rule of thumb: Look at the content on the site, mentally blocking out all affiliate links. If the remaining information is original and valuable informational content that contributes something unique to the category’s subject, the site may be a good candidate for the ODP. If the remaining content is poor, minimal, or copied from some other site, then the site is not a good candidate for the ODP. “
Might be useful for someone who hasn’t seen this already and is interested in getting their site listed in the Open Directory.
I’ve heard that the Open Directory is short a lot of editors these days, and that the turnaround time after a submission takes an incredibly long time as a result…
Getting gaming affiliate sites listed on the Open Directory is extremely hard but doable. I have spoken with many affiliates who have their sites listed there and it is done by offering something unique (which is never done before).
One thing you need to be very careful with Open Directory is not too spam them with messages as everytime you make a submission or send them an email they give you a scoring and if you over submit too many sites your scoring becomes extremely low and they don’t even look at your site(s).
Also look around the web and try to find a useful site which is not listed on DMOZ but you feel it should be listed and submit the site (even though it is not yours) as this will help give you a good ranking. Personal ranking is what it is all about.
One example of a site I submitted was my own personal site on DMOZ in the relevant area http://search.dmoz.org/cgi-bin/search?search=simon+eaton (will update my own site soon with pics of CR).
When I applied to be an editor for DMOZ they accepted me but in a different field (Scouting).
Just my 2c.
Wish me luck. I’ve applied to edit a category on dmoz tonight. I will let you know when I have further info.
BTW, my main site hasn’t been accepted into the directory yet, either, and I have a suspicion that it won’t be any time soon, as I don’t feel like it’s got enough unique content. Yet.
I’m sorry but I really dont believe that unique content will get you in. I’ve also applied as an editor for my city… and of course the application dissapeared in the void. So I applied for the town next to mine… and that dissapeared..
3 years ago i applied at least a dozen times for noncompetitive categories that had no editors, using different names and everything. Nothing.
The only editors there now are those who got in early and have a momopoly on the sites that are accepted.
If you want your website in, email the editor offering a monetary compensation, your chances will improve considerably if you do so.
But DMOZ has lost its importance over the years. All of the links are outdated, and fewer search engines rely on them.
Antoine
Quote:If you want your website in, email the editor offering a monetary compensation, your chances will improve considerably if you do so.LMFAO… if that would work it might be worth it. But:
1. DMOZ’s importance is rapidly declining, like Antoine said. The only part that is worthwhile is the Google version of DMOZ, and even that is worth no more than a few hits a month (count on one hand).
2. DMOZ is more or less a club. It is impossible to just apply and be accepted, even for categories where they themselves recognize that help is needed.
DMOZ has gambling guidelines that are more important for gambling sites to be aware of than the general guidelines:
http://dmoz.org/guidelines/gambling/
Also, almost every category has category descriptions that explain what sites go there and don’t go there. Original content is the thing that is repeated over and over. Most gambling sites on the Internet are filled with copied material, so they can’t be listed. Normally only ones that have quality original content, like this site, get listed.
Randy, hopefully you applied to a very small category. People often seem to apply to large categories that could use work, but that isn’t the way to go. Start very small.
DMOZ is still the center of the Internet, whether that is good or bad, and it is a great place for finding quality original content gambling sites.
Also, only fools would offer a bribe.
I applied for a very small niche category indeed.
I too had heard that dmoz was becoming less important, but I had understood it did good things for PR?
Here’s what dmoz sent me; it didn’t take them very long at all to decide to reject my application either:
Dear Randy Ray,
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 ProjectReviewer Comments:
I don’t feel like any of their reasons applied to me at all, but what are you gonna go?
No reviewer comments at all either.
That’s a form letter Randy I received the same one about 12 times for various categories I applied for including numerous NON GAMBLING categories I applied in. Dont take it personal….
When I applied about two years ago for the section on Scouting in the UK, I was accepted within two weeks.
However they did send me a personal email when I applied to cover online gaming and said no due to a conflict of interests and I am an affiliate and employee in the area, whereas Scouting is a real interest of mine and they see no conflict of interest.
If you are an affiliate in the online gaming I suggest you don’t even apply and apply to a different sector and prove yourself there.
Simon, Professor — good feedback. Thanks!
Randy,
What Cats are you applying to and would you consider non-gaming sections and possibly online hotel section which is looking for a person?
I applied for the Roulette category. Submitted some great sites too! I can understand why they would assume conflict of interest there though.
Not really interested in hotels at all, but now that you mention it, maybe there’s a juggling category. A lot of folks don’t know this about me, but I’m a relatively accomplished juggler.
