Ever wonder why some of the lesser sites have multiple listings in DMOZ and how they got there? How are deeplinks added to the directory? Do editors look beyond the submitted URL for possible deeplink listings when reviewing a site that’s been suggested by a webmaster or web site owner?
Ever wonder how you can get your site deeplinked in DMOZ, or other quality directories for that matter?
Having sites with deeplink listings in DMOZ, Yahoo Directory (multiple topics) BOTW.org and GoGuides.org, I’d thought I’d share how they came about.
The first thing to keep in mind is that a DMOZ editor is under no obligation to review any of the sites suggested by webmasters, site owners or the overly enthusiastic public. An editor is there of their own volition, because they want to be and they share an interest and desire to create a compilation of resources under subjects that they may have a passion for. They’re volunteers, doing what they like to do, when they want to do it.
They are not there to process the garbage that’s thrown at them by so-called SEO’s and webmasters looking for a quick link or trying to list every one of their affiliate mirrors offering nothing but the remote chance a visitor may click on a well disguised ad and earn them a buck.
Here’s what DMOZ’s editorial guidelines say about listing deeplinks:
Deeplinking URLs
Deeplinking is the process of adding links to sub-pages and sub-domains within a site.
General Rule: In the vast majority of categories and branches, deeplinking is the exception rather than the rule. Deeplinks should offer content that is unique and extremely useful to a particular category. There are no strict rules regarding the type of site that should or should not be deeplinked. Providing deeplinks, in a uniform way, to sites that offer extremely useful and unique content can add value to the directory in a few cases (e.g. categories with very limited content, and where the meat of the available web content is typically buried within larger sites). However, editors should be very judicious when adding deeplinks of a particular URL. If you are uncertain about adding deeplinks, ask an experienced editor, such as a meta or an editall, for advice or guidance. Ultimately, all deeplinking decisions are subject to staff approval.
I’m going to guess that only a small percentage of editors actually list deeplinks, and it’s probably those who are more experienced or have the ability to edit across the directory. I seriously doubt that new editors or those who have limitations as to where they can edit are the ones adding deeplinks. It’s my understanding that editors do list deeplinks, but it’s usually when building out categories, especially in areas where few sites are dedicated to the topic/subject and the best resources are individual pages/sections found within a larger site.
I’d also go as far to guess that the lesser experienced editors are more likely to reject or delete a submission of a deeplink without the benefit of a review than those with more experience. Why? Because the submission guidelines note that you should submit your site to the single best category; there’s no mention of submitting individual pages from within a site.
So how do you get an editors attention and consideration when they are reviewing your submission? If it’s not a senior editor who is reviewing the submission, the chances are very slim to none that any additional pages would be deeplinked unless it’s under a topic where deeplining is not unusual such as some of the subcategories under Arts, Kids and Teens, Recreation, Reference or Science. Forget about deeplinks in commercial categories like Shopping; not gonna happen. You won’t get your individual product pages listed, and efforts to do so may have adverse effects.
First things first. Do you have content that is citation worthy and deserving of a deeplink listing within the directory? I’m not talking about a site that has more than one page; I’m talking about pages or sections of a site (sub-domains included) that are rich in unique content that would be a worthwhile addition to a topical category (outside of the branch where the main site is listed) that’s not well represented. If not, don’t waste your time or the editors time as it might just backfire. If you think that individual pages from your site should be listed in multiple sub-categories below where your main page is listed, forget about it. It doesn’t work like that.
Is it possible to get deeplinked through the submission process? On occasion, yes. But again, I wouldn’t start submitting numerous pages from a site with hopes that a few might get listed. The deeplinks I have in DMOZ were probably the result of being submitted; I doubt an editor there happened across the pages as the categories were far from new or lacking resources. One page was submitted to a topical subcategory under Reference and a few others were submitted to topical categories under World as they are professional translations of a document on the site.
The URL that was submitted under a Reference category at DMOZ was also submitted to a similar category at the Yahoo Directory. It was accepted and the editor also added it to a second topical sub-category under the Arts. The suggestion was also submitted to GoGuides.org. It was discovered by an editor at BOTW.org and listed there when building out a new category. Being that it was an editorial addition, I’m unsure if deeplink submissions accepted at BOTW.org. Hopefully someone with some knowledge of this subject can add a comment.
So do I recommend that you submit quality content to the major directories? If it’s truly quality content and would be of benefit to the directory rather than yourself, yes. But, before you decide to submit a deeplink, consider that an editor is likely to either appreciate the submission or view you as a spammer.
If you really want your suggestion looked at should an editor take an interest in wandering through the submissions, make sure your submission stands out. How? By writing a guidelines compliant suggestion. I understand that editors will avoid the spammy, keyword stuffed submissions and may actually look at those with a proper title and description. It might just be that well crafted submissions are viewed as those with some potential.
The easier you make for an editor, the better your chances of actually getting listed; this applies to any submission at the major directories.