How to get listed in DMOZ

DMOZ is a well known link directory that webmasters all want to get their sites listed in to build back links to their site. DMOZ or ODP (Open Directory Project) is owned by AOL but is run a large army of volunteers. They do this has a hobby and see their role as categorising the web with collections of unique resources on each topic. They do not see themselves as offering a listing service to webmasters. Webmasters want them to be a listing service. This leads to all sorts of arguments in SEO forums and claims and counter claims about DMOZ corruption and all sorts of goings on. Most of it is counterproductive to getting a site listed in DMOZ.

To get a site listed in DMOZ, then you first must have a site that meets the guidelines. The site has to unique content on it that if listed will add value to the category. If your site does not have this then it is less likely to be listed. The site should be submitted to the one best category once with a guideline compliant title and description. Before submitting, check the guidelines and check the sites already listed in the category. Write a description that matches the style of the category. Once you have submitted, there is nothing more that can be done. You either get listed or you do not. Anything else, such as resubmitting or email editors to ask for favours is likely to be counterproductive.

DMOZ editors see themselves as being there to build a category and not process submissions. Because of this, they use many sources to find sites, such as following links on other sites, using the search engines and personal knowledge of the niche. The submitted sites is widely considered by editors as the worse source of sites, so many editor do not even look at them and spend their time more productively looking for sites from other sources. Other editors do browse the suggested sites looking for gems. One way to stand out in the pool of suggested sites, is to make sure the title and description is guideline compliant. These sites stand out amongst the others that are full of marketing hype.