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The Open Directory Project (ODP or DMOZ.org) has recently received a lot of negative press. Is the ODP still as important as it was?

What is the Open Directory Project?

The Open Directory Project is an Internet directory that started in 1998 as an alternative to Yahoo's human edited directory. When Google began using the ODP as the source for the Google Directory, it was almost guaranteed that a web site received better Google rankings when it was listed in the ODP.

What is the problem with the Open Directory Project?

In contrast to search engines that use software programs to index web pages, volunteer editors read and classify the web sites that are submitted to the Open Directory Project.

Many categories in the ODP don't have a volunteer editor anymore and the editors of the other categories cannot handle all of the submissions they receive. Some categories have a backlog of several months.

Rumor has it that some ODP editors accept money to speed up submissions and that some people became ODP editors just to promote their own web sites.

Is it still worth to submit your web site to the Open Directory Project?

It is still worth to submit your web site to the Open Directory Project but you shouldn't be disappointed if your web site doesn't get through. Many web sites mirror ODP content so a link from the ODP means that many other web sites will also link to your site.

However, there are many other Internet directories that can also have a positive effect on your web site. Don't focus on the ODP alone but submit your web site to many different directories and search engines so that your web site is not dependent on a single source.

More about the benefits of being listed in Internet directories can be found in the recommended resources section below.

Google hovers as Baidu readies IPO

"As Baidu.com Inc. nears an initial public offering in the U.S., the company appears to be drawing a close look from Google Inc., which sources said could have an interest in acquiring the Chinese Internet search leader."

Yahoo introduces 'social' search engine

"My Web 2.0 was designed from the ground up as a social search engine. It can search across trusted networks of people and communities, and complements [general] Web searching."

Google indexing subscription content

"Google is testing a premium service that will open up mainstream access to the 'Deep Web,' allowing webmasters with restricted or subscription content to let in Google and provide the masses with free previews."

Google to release Firefox toolbar

"Google is poised to release a version of its toolbar for the Firefox browser, according to information sent to developers of an open source toolbar alternative."

Search engine newslets

• iAsk is a new search engine for China (Editor's note: You can submit your web site to iAsk.com with IBP's auto submitter).
• Google sued for click fraud.
• Google is not allowed to use the Gmail name in Germany (German article).
• Adult site sues Amazon over images.

Now playing on Google: 'Matrix,' 'Family Guy'

"Google's new video search tool is turning out to be a little more expansive than the company planned, with users uploading copyrighted content ranging from the last 'Matrix' movie to the 'Family Guy' cartoons."

Yahoo learns new tricks

"Yahoo wants to be all things to all people. But most of all, it wants to be successful."

Google's eye in the sky

"Every time I fly in or out of National or Dulles airports, I play a little game: I plaster my face to the plane window and see how far away from home I can track my progress."

"After using IBP I now have clients that have reached page 1 ranking on several search engines, including Google."

"As a business coach and consultant I frequently got into helping a client identify how well their marketing was working. Usually one of the questions I asked was, 'How many customers a week come from your website?' The usual answer ranged from 'I don’t know,' to 'nothing!' [...]

After using IBP in that I now have clients that have reached page 1 ranking on several search engines, including Google. Getting to page 1 on Google in less than 2 months surprised even me.

One client told me that they would have been happy with one new 'large' client a week. At this point their website is delivering 10 a day. And I don’t consider myself an expert on search engine optimization. My expertise is in overall business building."
Alan Boyer, www.leaders-perspective.com

Internet directories can help you search engine rankings

Internet directories are often overlooked by webmasters because many of them deliver only little traffic. However, a listing in an Internet directory means a permanent text link to your web site. Search engines will find your web site through these links so that your web site is more often indexed.

In addition, the more incoming links you have, the better your link popularity number. As you know, links from related pages increase the ranking of your web site on search engines and eventually they will also increase number of visitors you get.

IBP's search engine submission feature helps you to submit your web site quickly and easily to all important Internet directories, search engines and special interest sites.

More than just search engine submission

IBP is much more than just search engine submission tool. It also offers a ranking checker, a link popularity improver, a top 10 optimizer and many more features that help you to get the search engine rankings you deserve.

Download the free demo version now.

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