DMOZ is a pansy.

Just to catch you up to speed, The Google Directory receives all of it’s information from DMOZ - The Open Directory Project.

I must tell you that the volunteer editors that determine which web sites are to be added follow DMOZ’s policy to a T which means that your site might not be unique enough to qualify for a listing.

Now to present some of the various reasons you might not get listed on DMOZ. Take this advice to heart. If you modify the way you do things with DMOZ, you might strike gold and get listed.

You Might Not Be Listed Because….

Your Trying To Hard To Sell Something

Among the sites DMOZ often rejects are those that have an overall message of trying to sell something. DMOZ wants informationally rich web sites. Wikipedia.com does something similar when determining which external links to allow in its’ database. My advice is adding more content rich information to your web site that sells something.

Your Submission Is Out Of Tune

Follow the submission guidelines of DMOZ. An additional reason your web site might get rejected is that your Title and Description might not follow DMOZ’s guidelines. Trust me, it is tough to get listed on DMOZ but I have succeeded multiple times for various small business clients. Spend a little time researching other web sites already listed in the desired category for which you’d like to be listed. Notice wording patterns in the titles and descriptions. Also note length and proximity of those words. Consistency is the key. Just like you behave in the office, it is sometimes better to blend into the crowd and be accepted rather than be the asshole trying to change things. DMOZ likes the butt kisser.

NOTE: There is currently no longer a way to check on the status of your submission and whether or not it’s been reviewed nor is it possible to contact someone to inquire about your submission. You have to just sit and wait.

Matthew Peschong
Minnesota WebSite Design