Guidelines for The Open Directory Project (DMOZ)

The Open Directory Project (DMOZ) is the largest, most comprehensive human-edited directory of the Web. It is constructed and maintained by a vast, global community of volunteer editors.  This community is represented by web users across the globe. Because it is a volunteer directory, and free, the time between submission and approval/rejection can take months, if not years based on the category, editor experience and volume. 

Website Address: http://www.dmoz.org/

As Search Engines like Google and Yahoo continue to de-emphasis the importance of general directory link relationships, it remains to be seen how valuable this inbound link will remain in the future. Given the fact that the submission process is FREE, there is no downside for a website owner to attempt to submit to the directory.

Reasons to Submit to DMOZ

1. The directory is used as the backbone for the Google Directory
2. Google will frequently pull directory titles and descriptions where it sees appropriate to better support its search index
3. DMOZ offers a free site feed to webmasters, allowing them to publish directory listings at no charge other than there time.  These “Quasi-DMOZ” directories of information may become secondary sources of inbound links for indexed sites
4. Finally – It’s Free

Submission Guidelines
General guidelines for submitting to DMOZ can be found here:

• http://dmoz.org/add.html
• With background information and FAQ’s located here:
  http://dmoz.org/help/submit.html
  http://dmoz.org/help/geninfo.html
• Comprehensive Guidelines
  http://dmoz.org/guidelines/

Be sure to read the guidelines in depth before submission.  Strict adherence to the rules gives you the best chance of being indexed in the directory.  Failure to do so may incur severe delays or permanent rejection from inclusion into the directory

General Summary of Guidelines

1. Navigate to the MOST APPROPRIATE category for your website
2. Click the “Suggest URL” link at the top left to get to the submission form.  Note that submissions are category driven and you cannot successfully submit a website using the wrong category.
3. Follow the instructions for the submission process as accurately as possible
   
   a. Important Rules
   
        i. Titles should be relevant to company names, website names etc
        ii. Avoid excessive marketing speak, promotional language and the use of repetition
4. When you are satisfied with your submission click the “Submit” button at the bottom.

Additional Comments on the Submission Process
As stated above, it may take months, if not years to receive approval or rejection of your listing in the directory.  They also will NOT contact you to let you know that you have been approved or rejected. 

We recommend that you check for your listing approximately two months after the submission completion.  The search functionality in the site does not always pick up recent additions, so you may have to go directly to your desired category. 

You should not repeatedly resubmit your website based on it not being listed.  If after 6 months the site is not listed, we recommend that you resubmit once.  Continued repeat submissions, submissions to multiple categories etc will usually delay or block any listing opportunity.

Modifying Your Listing in the Open Directory

Editors may alter your submission details as they see fit or to conform to guidelines.  If you do not agree with the editor’s alteration, or if there is a specific reason that you need to edit your listing (change in business, location etc), you should send notification to DMOZ to edit your listing.

General Guidelines

1. Navigate to the category that your website is listed in
2. Click the “Update Listing” link at the top left of the webpage
3. Follow the instructions found therein
4. Make sure to use a standard communication email address for the submission process and clearly state the reason(s) that the listing should be modified. 
5. Further information on modifying an existing website listing may be found here:
   
        a.  http://dmoz.org/add.html
             Under the section: “Updating Your Site”

Good Luck and Happy Link Building!