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Never been big on rules but guidelines I can work with, thankfully the ODP feels that way too. There are few hard and fast rules
merely guidelines, guidelines are open to interpretation and different editors work in different ways.
The job of the SEO/Webmaster in to work within the guidelines whilst at the same time achieving their aims.
Nowhere on the www is there a SE or directory that is more open or honest with what they expect, what rules and guidelines they use, how they list [or don't list] sites/pages.
The first step on the road to a listing is to read the guidelines, become one with them and learn to love them. There are a huge number of resources within the ODP that help the submitter understand and deal with getting listed, some are targetted at the editors themselves but all are of use to the submitter.
The main guidelines are at [dmoz.org...] and are required reading, a definate not to be missed stop on your tour of the ODP. My personal favourite is the very specific [with examples] Editing Style Guidelines at [dmoz.org...]
A search at your prefered SE will also bring up many cat and industry specific guidelines, as an example try this search [google.com] at the mighty G!
Responsibilities
Here is the tough call. If you believe as I do that the ODP is a special resource then you must help it to grow. Where you can you must support its aims, work with it and in your own small way make the directory [and as a result the www] a better place. The rub is that as an SEO/webmaster your primary aim is to get listed, sometimes this will cause a conflict in what you want and what the ODP wants. Usually there is only one winner, my clue is that it will be the ODP nine times out of ten.
Having said that if push comes to shove and you have to follow a path that is right for your business but not right for the ODP then....I'll leave that decision up to you.
Responsibilities work both ways, as we as submitters have to abide by the "rules" so do the editors. I have submitted a fair few sites over the last few years and in 99% of the cases they have all been dealt with fairly and mostly quickly. There have been one or two cases of competitor is an editor but in SEO as in life simple truths win out. If the site is good enough nobody can stop it being listed least of all someone who is "sitting" a cat. The fact is that we as SEO/Webmasters need to research, know who we are dealing with and tailor submission/follow ups to deal with those situations. The mantra is; big boys games, big boys rules.
Rankings
Believe the "magic bullet" theory or not the fact remains that a listing at ODP is one of the most important foundations of any SEO campaign. IMPO I feel it is THE most important listing that any web site will recieve and will continue to be so. The problem many of us face as ODP fans is this, at what point do we ignore the responsibilities we take as supporters of the ODP when faced with getting listed. My view is simple, the primary responsibility of an SEO/webmaster is to rank, if we have to bend the ODP guidelines somewhat then so be it, I believe they are big enough to take it.
To finish, my Top Five ODP tips;
5. Read the guidelines, become one with them, learn to love them.
4. Know your editor, see what other cats they have, learn their style. [keep your friends close, enemies closer:)].
3. Adhere to basic directory optimisation, make your title and description uneditable, or at worst throw them an easy edit.
2. Errrrr, build a good site.
And #1, No Whineing.
Totally agree - to be truly successful via search engines you must work with OPD.
I have found that with some careful web site considerations you can produce more with only a little innovative design.
I submit to extend your post:
You must not view DMOZ from a commercial perspective.
If you continuously develop content, develop with DMOZ in mind. It's far better to preemptively match your content to accomodate a specific category than trying to make a category fit your content.
DMOZ guidelines are just that guidelines... and with but a few exceptions all web sites are held to the same standards
If you are informative, have research value and/or unique perspective that add value to DMOZ additional listings are possible.
Adding... you can never receive your own category with but one topical and one regional listing. Your own category is not just reserved for corporate giants.
A listing in DMOZ is gold and a backlink to them is even better:
If ever a reciprocal link is needed, the credibility received from linking to DMOZ is exceptional (and the little bit of extra PR doesn't hurt).
The thought that "I'm linking to my competitor" shouldn't be a a consideration. It is these same sites under the banner of "quality" (in the same category) that bolsters your professionalism.
Adding... just because a visitor is at your site, doesn't mean you have cornered the market, nor their interest. They will leave no matter what!
DMOZ extends to all age groups, your current information may not
Kids, teens, and mature students have their own sections. Your informative content with some slight revisiions, can obtain a listing here.
Consider your content's educational value, you'd be surprised what kids need to learn.
