Note: For the full text of this article on the directory project, click here.
What is the directory project? Thedirectory project, also known as the ODP, provides free directory results to search engines such as Lycos, HotBot, Netscape, AOL Search, Google Directory, and the list goes on and on. For a complete list of portal sites that use the odp data follow this link:
http://dmoz.org/Computers/Internet/WWW/Searching_the_Web
/Directories/Directory_Project/Sites_Using_ODP_Data/
Simply put, submitting to thedirectory project means that even if you can't get your pages indexed by Google, AOL Search, and Netscape, you'll still have a presence in those engines, thanks to the odp.
Thedirectory project, formerly known as NewHoo, produces a comprehensive directory of websites by relying on a team of thousands of volunteer editors.
As an editor in several rather busy categories myself, let's discuss some do's and don'ts regarding submitting to thedirectory project.
Top ten suggestions for getting your site listed in the directory project
- Submit in the proper odp subcategory!
- Create a businesslike and professional title and description for yourdirectory project submission.
- Complete the odp submission form accurately and completely.
- Submit your main URL in the best subcategory.
- List a "last updated on <date>" note on your site, but only if it's been updated very recently.
- Make your site the best it can be! An editor from thedirectory project will visit!
- Make sure that your site is easy to read with good color choices and an adequate sized font.
- If you have special requests, contact thedirectory project editor of that category by clicking on the editor's name at the bottom of the category page.
- When writing to an directory project editor, BE NICE!
- When writing to an odp editor, state your request simply and quickly.
For more explanation on the top ten suggestions for getting into the directory project, or for the listing of ten things to avoid, read the full text of the article that was first published by Planet Ocean in their Search Engine News Update Newsletter (http://www.searchenginehelp.com/acws).
