Looksmart - Anyone have anything GOOD to say about them?

Good customer service? Good listings? Anyone?

[martinibuster]

Remember that saying? If you DON'T have anything good to say, then say nothing.

I'm sure that there are plenty around here who have a horror story, but that's not the topic of this thread. I'm interested in hearing if anyone has anything GOOD to say about Looksmart.

So please, no horror stories. Just GOOD things.

[edited by: martinibuster at 6:12 pm (utc) on June 26, 2003]

[jeremy goodrich]

They get you into MSN for potentially a huge savings over the comparitive Overture cost. :)

And, if you have a non commercial site, for a bit of your time, you can get in for free - can't beat the price on that one.

[martinibuster]

You're right, Jeremy, their free listing service is great. A pleasurable experience compared to getting a site listed in another directory.

[rfgdxm1]

If things go right, Zeal listings can bring it lots of traffic. And, commercial sites *can* get Zeal listings free if they have non-commercial sections. Such as a safe use of widgets section on a site that sells widgets.

[jeremy goodrich]

Only if you are lucky, rfgdxm1. I've had several sites disallowed for that.

On the other hand, it's nice that they do that for non commercial content sections...I guess it encourages more people to submit sites, even if they don't get accepted, because it seems user submissions are a core part of the success of any directory.

[rcjordan]

>commercial sites *can* get Zeal listings free if they have non-commercial sections.

Yep. They've been working on one of my large sites steadily over the last week or so ...some sort of scoring session. One so far today.

[pageoneresults]

They get you into MSN for potentially a huge savings over the comparitive Overture cost.

I believe the above is the major benefit of an LS listing. I can say from tracking logs for the past few years that MSN listings via LS and Ink do extremely well in the industrial sectors.

[rfgdxm1]

>Only if you are lucky, rfgdxm1. I've had several sites disallowed for that.

Depends on the Zealot's or LS editor's interpretation. Best strategy is to make sure there is noting commercial on the page. Except of course that "return home" link to the commercial content, which is what you hope they'll click.

[NameNick]

Hi,

I have a very short story with LookSmart as a protagonist.

My site got accepted by a Zealot within two days. LookSmart adopted the Zeal listing two days later. Same day the site appears in MSN search results - top ten position for the main keyword pair. I'm quite surprised. I didn't expect to get in there that fast :)

NN

[jeremy goodrich]

This is supposed to be a 'positive thread' but, since you continue to go there, rfdgxm1:

>>>Depends on the Zealot's or LS editor's interpretation.

*if* you are competing with LookSmart, this 'interpretation' is the one that gets them the most money, make no exception about it. :)

Though on a positive note, I'm sure their shareholder's are excited that they have staffers & volunteer's committed to improving their returns on investment.

[martinibuster]

I'm sure their shareholder's are excited that they have staffers & volunteer's committed to improving their returns on investment.

I have to say that they make it easy to volunteer and contribute to the directory- Speaking exclusively about the Zeal directory, if all directories were run as well as Zeal I think the search landscape would be a much larger, more inclusive and less spammy place.

NOTE: Please don't read into my post that I'm criticizing any other directory, because I am not, neither am I implying it.

[Hawkgirl]

Here's something I consider VERY good about Looksmart:

Recently, they've relaxed editorial guidelines and lowered their costs significantly.

They can be a pain to work with, but because of the above-named factors, I continue to be a fan for now.

[WebStart]

< They get you into MSN for potentially a huge savings over the comparitive Overture cost. :) >

I agree, plus their management system is fairly easy to use.

[Terrier]

Looksmart UK fab none of the US CPC Bull***t even allowed me to edit my listing to achieve that top spot.

[dougs]

Looksmart-UK will also do multiple listings of your site on a ppc model. Haggel the price down and be prepared to walk away....they will keep talking and chasing you. We are very impressed so far.

Doug

[davester28]

How does a non commercial site get a free listing? I don't see anywhere to apply for that.

[kevinpate]

> How does a non commercial site get a free listing?

by being listed in the Zeal free listings. A listing there does wonders for an NFP whn someone is surfing at m$n.

[rfgdxm1]

If you have a non-commercial site, getting a Zeal listing can result in a large amount of traffic from MSN. In terms of getting traffic to your site, a Zeal listing can be one to 2 orders of magnitude more effective than an ODP listing.

[Jack_Frost]

I'm with pageonresults. I use it for a lot of my clients and it does very well. It all comes down to what a good ROI is. I'm not sure how that changes today are going to affect things though.

[skibum]

Never been a fan of LookSmart but the new program actually looks sensible and doesn't seem to screw their current customers.

Looks good for LookSmart and ok for the advertisers for the most part.

[Harwich]

I use looksmart for key words that would cost me more on adwords. I would have to say I am pretty neutral, no problems but now amazing success either.