Suggest a Website to DMOZ
Many search engines such as Google and AOL Search use website index data from Use Dmoz, also called The Open Directory Project, to assist with indexing websites. It is essential for website administrators or even a website's #1 fan to suggest their website to be indexed into DMOZ so that search engines can find additional information about the website. Suggesting a website to be indexed into DMOZ can be difficult but with some assistance, it can be enjoyable!
Steps
- Visit the DMOZ directory website.
- Review the top-level categories and click on the most appropriate category to fit the website that you will be suggesting.
- Choose a subcategory from the options given, which are located below the alphabet links in the top center of the page. Since many categories are extensive in size, there may be many subcategories from which to choose.
- Continue to choose subcategories until you are at the lowest possible category. Although not always, it will generally be a small category with no more subcategory links at the top. Note that some of the most basic categories do not allow suggestions at all as almost all content should be lower down in the hierarchy.
- Click suggest URL which is the icon that looks like some documents to the left of the name of the current category toward the top of the page.
- Read the guidelines and rules thoroughly that are on the website suggestion page. In step one, a link is given to suggestion policies and instructions which should be carefully read so that your website suggestion form is correctly filled out.
- Fill out the suggestion information so that it is complete while following all of the suggestion guidelines.
- The category should already be filled in with the category that was chosen.
- Be sure to also include your email address and user verification.
- Read the Submission Agreement and once complete and you agree with it, press submit. (Suggesting a site is sometimes called "submitting" a site.)
- Wait for the website to be indexed. All of the website suggestions for each category are reviewed by volunteers who spend their time to review the website suggestions.
Tips
- DMOZ has a website index for almost 100 languages and is always adding new languages. If you own or know of a website in Translate and Pronounce in Another Language, suggest it as well! Almost 100,000 editors monitor over 1,000,000 categories with just under 4,000,000 distinct pages. In addition to new suggestions, editors are also busy updating existing listings and rearranging the larger category structure.
- It is sometimes better to use a company name or brand name in the title instead of keywords. Descriptions can be edited once you submit them but doing your best to fit the guidelines beforehand will make it more likely to get accepted.
- Review all of the possible categories for the website that you are suggesting. Choosing the first category that you find may not be the best—it can delay the suggestion review time. Note that each website can only be suggested once, into one category. On the other hand, a site (and sometimes individual pages within a site) can be listed several times and places, depending on how useful it is to readers and how broad the scope of the site is.
- Remember that all category editors (who are the users who review website suggestions) are entirely volunteers. Some categories may be more thoroughly watched and reviewed than others. A suggestion's acceptance can take an indefinite period of time.
- Not all website suggestions are accepted, regardless of how well the suggestion form is filled out. There are various reasons, such as entering a website that is Find out if Something Is Illegal Before You Do It, that a website would be denied indexing.
- Website suggestions are thoroughly read by real people. Follow all regulations as this will help you and the category editors.
- If your website changes after it is indexed—particularly the website title/name or description but also the URL or placement—DMOZ has an option to update the listing. As with website suggestions, updates can take a while to be reviewed and should be sent only when needed. Please inform editors there if the site is parked, hijacked or otherwise no longer listed.
Warnings
- Never suggest a website that goes against the DMOZ guidelines—warez websites are not allowed! There is a special section for adult sites related to gambling or sex that is not immediately visible from the main section but still indexed.
- The backlog of unreviewed suggestions is very long and when something gets accepted varies widely by category and who is its editor—only suggest your website once! If you repeatedly suggest the website, there will be a greater delay for the category editors to review the website suggestion and a less chance of getting your website indexed.
- Do not use promotional words and descriptions when filling in the website suggestion. If you do, it will take longer for your suggestion to be reviewed and there is a higher chance of getting your suggestion denied.
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