MSN optimisation?

zeal benefits?

[AhmedF]

I recently have gotten a few sites [non-commercial] into zeal .. and are decently ranking on MSN.

Ive looked .. but cannot find anything of meat. How does one optimise for MSN through zeal? Or should I optimise my page like I would for inktomi?

[korkus2000]

The optimization for both zeal and looksmart is in the title and desciptions of the directory listing.

[div01]

I have to agree...you can't optimize your webpages for it, just work with the title and description. The tricky part is that you have to still abide by Zeal guidelines. So a keyword stuffed description is likely to get you a rejection or a major edit and "low grade".

ps - there is a caveat with Zeal submissions. You can easily get outranked by a paid Looksmart listing even if the title & description are lacking. the reason I believe is that with Looksmart submissions you can also specify keywords, in addition to the title and description. This can bump you up in the listings. So this is one area where certain sites could benefit more from a paid listing.

[AhmedF]

Hrmm ... weird .. there are sies above us that dont have the keyword in either title or description.

Oh well .. Ill just keep working on it.

[div01]

Are they from Zeal or Looksmart? If from the latter, refer to my 'ps' remarks. I wouldn't be surprised that the targetted keywords submitted with a paid Looksmart listing would outrank a free Zeal one, relying on title and description.

[AhmedF]

free as a bird.

Im the category zealot :)

[div01]

Don't tweak your listings too much or too often. Zeal has a comprehensive 'paper trail' and you don't want a Looksmart Editor ticked off at you.

[AhmedF]

oh heh .. i will do nothing close to abusive ... none of that stuff.

[ScottM]

Another tip is to consider waiting a month or so before doing anything.

[jeremy goodrich]

Only way to 'optimize' for MSN is to pony up the $$$ to Overture, as it's the only solid, reliable way to stay at (or near) the top spots. Or pay MSN direct.

Though, MSN will sometimes not display the Overture listings, I am confident but not positive it's a monetary threshold.

To really get the most reliable traffic, use them all: Zeal, Ink, and pay MSN directly (they sell some spots at the top in house).

Free stuff I would think will always be subjugated in MSN by paid stuff, because they are looking for maximum SERP monetization.

[john22]

Hi

Correct if i'm wrong but i've read that Zeal members can only add Non-Commercial sites, however it seems you are talking here about being able to change a site which is commercial? %-)

-Martin

[AhmedF]

oh no sorry ... my site is quite non-commercial

its all about the ego =)

[div01]

John,

Zeal members cannot do anything with commercial sites - only the Looksmart editors can handle them.

I have to agree with Jeremy. If you have a competitive search term, go with Overture and possibly Looksmart since you can specify keywords. If you are going for more obscure (but still lucrative) 2/3/4/5 word phrases - go with Ink. Zeal is good for the content pages.

[AhmedF]

again heh ... its just a page I do for fun ... a simple games site .. so its just for the ego :)