Location vs. Category in ODP Regional Directory

which is more important?

[jonrichd]

I am trying to select the best category for a website. The site has a regional focus, so that's where I am looking.

Here's what I find (cats are fictitous)

Regional - North America - States - Mystate - Bears - Polar Bears

or

Regional - North America - States - Mystate - My City - Bears

If my site is about Polar Bears, which would be the better category to submit to?

[choster]

It's hard to say without knowing the site in question. An informational site will be listed as appropriate according to the scope of the information provided, while business sites (at least in Regional/United States categories) tend to be pushed down to the lowest level encompassing their physical locations, whereas sites primarily devoted to online shopping are listed exclusively in Shopping/ or its non-US surrogates.

For example, if your sites is about all polar bears, Ursus maritimus, everywhere then it might not get a Regional/ listing at all-- just the main listing in the main polar bear category in Science/ .

If your site is about polar bears that range in Canada, preserves in Canada, conservation laws in Canada, etc. then it would qualify for listing under Regional/Canada/Science_and_Environment/etc. with a possible second listing in Science/ .

If your site is about the polar bear control authority in Sitka, Alaska and talks about past incidents and sightings in Sitka, it would be listed in Regional/Alaska/Science_and_Environment/etc. with a possible second listing in Science/ .

If it's a Chicago-based pet store that exclusively sells polar bears from its storefront on Erie Street, the site will be listed in Chicago/Business_and_Economy (if it has enough content to serve as a standalone ).

If it's a Seattle-based polar bear breeder that only serves online customers, it will be placed in Shopping/Pets.
etc.

[jonrichd]

Thanks, Choster. I am trying to be general to meet the guidelines of the forum. Let me expand on your example.

Assume the Sitka, Alaska site. You indicated that the listing might be under (I've expanded a bit on the categories). I'm also assuming that this is an existing category in ODP.

Regional/Alaska/Science_and_Environment/Bears/Polar Bears/ Polar Bear Control

Now, imagine another existing category:

Regional/Alaska/Cities/S/Sitka/Science_and_Environment

There is no subcategory for Bears, much less Polar Bears for Sitka. Should I submit to the Sitka category, since that's where I am, and where my services take place, or should I submit to the Alaska category, where I am located, and the category relates exactly to my profession.

[fathom]

You could as well -- on regional location submit to directories and guides, noting that a guide to polar bear is reasonable.

Also new categories are added to accomodate directory expansion. In this you should down to the lower regional category and submit to there (without the sub-topical) adding a note: to the editor for "flora and fauna" or just "nature".

[fathom]

Regional listings are based on physical location.

Where the service or product is delivered from and not the destination.

Polar Bear made indeed be in the far north but they don't own the business/web site. (sorry for the simpility). ;)

[jonrichd]

So, Fathom, if I understand you correctly, I should submit to Regional/Alaska/Cities/S/Sitka/Science_and_Environment, with a note to the editor that the broader category Alaska has subcategories for Bears and Polar Bears, and it might be appropriate to add these categories for Sitka.

[fathom]

So, Fathom, if I understand you correctly, I should submit to Regional/Alaska/Cities/S/Sitka/Science_and_Environment, with a note to the editor that the broader category Alaska has subcategories for Bears and Polar Bears, and it might be appropriate to add these categories for Sitka.

Actually I was referring to just Regional/Alaska/Cities/S/Sitka and one of the choices I pointed out since Science_and_Environment is a bit off.

A sub-cat for "Bears and Polar Bears" would probably be too distinct of a sub-cat.

Categories are based on the lowest common denominator (meaning many potential listings) vice near absolute (or probably suggesting a single listing).

[hutcheson]

Should I submit to the Sitka category, since that's where I am, and where my services take place, or should I submit to the Alaska category, where I am located, and the category relates exactly to my profession.

In this case, you may submit to both. There is no guarantee that it will be listed in both (or for that matter, in either!) but the "only submit to one category" guideline has this important exception: "submit to both a regional and a topical category if appropriate." It is very likely that if you go to Science/Environment/Animal Control/Bears/Service_Providers/By_Region, you may see a link to "Alaska@", so (logically speaking) the "Topical" category is in "Regional." And, even though you're submitting to two Regional categories, you're still arguably following the standard exception mentioned above.

You may (or may not) get listed twice, but you shouldn't be considered a spammer.

[choster]

Apologies! I should have used something like Regional/Alaska/Sitka/Science_and_Environment for my third example. I regret any confusion this might have caused, but I hope fathom and hutcheson have answered your other questions.

[fathom]

Science/Environment/Animal Control/Bears/Service_Providers/By_Region

must have spent a hour looking for that one, hutcheson.