An original submission that will need a category change

[Marcia]

If a site is submitted to ODP with only part of the "theme" or product line, and then it's broadened to include other topics or more of a product line, is it then possible to resubmit for the less limited category, or is it best to wait? How should that be handled?

[victor]

Waiting isn't a good strategy. Who knows how long it'll take an editor to notice the change?

And, even if they do, they may not change the cat. Once you are in in a "good enough" cat, it takes some initiative to get that changed.

I'd suggest submitting to the new cat, and adding a "Note to Editor" in the description box. Tell 'em your hopes for the site. You may get lucky.

[Marcia]

OK, there are a couple of scenarios.

With one, a client site is already listed in a very limited category and will be dropping most of that line. Other products are being added, and as of right now and the coming month, the whole focus will change to a broader one. The current category won't reflect the true nature of the site.

With another, a potential client wants to start with one of many products - related to pet memorials. That's a small part only, and once the rest is put up over a couple of months the pet category also won't reflect the product line. So I have to decide whether to suggest putting it all on or go with the limited inventory which will not be good if listed that way.

Same with a site of my own - focus now is on one area, and the eventual theme of the site will put it in another area. So I'm not submitting, thinking it might be better to wait.

[bird]

If the site is already listed in the narrow cat, and that cat is regularly maintained, then you could simply submit a change request, asking for the move. If the content of the site was broadened to make it more suitable for a different category, then any editor should be happy to move it there. Of course, some other editor at the destination will have to review and add it again, so it will seemingly disappear for a while.

If it is only submitted but not listed yet, then I'd resubmit to the broader category right away, possibly with a notice as victor suggested. Most likely, this will be in a parent category of the other one, so that whoever edits there will be able to dispose of the first submission as well.

In general, while it is advised to submit to only one category at a time, changing your mind later is not a crime either. You need more than two parallel submissions to seriously annoy anyone at the ODP.

[mediaspinner]

I tried to get a category change for one of my sites in the ODP with no luck yet... have requested it a few times. However, on another site, I requested a content change in the description, and it was done same day. I guess it's just the editor and if he/she is overwhelmed or in a good mood and able to deal with it.

[caine]

I would suggest that you ask for your listing to be deleted and give the reason. Though email the editor of the cat, just to make sure they understand why and put in the necessary notes.

Then rewrite the description and resub to the appropriate cat, may even be worth while, emailing the editor of that cat and telling them the life story of the site, its evolution and be very nice. Should sort you out.

[starec]

I would suggest to never ask to delete an ODP entry. You never know what the activity of the new category editor is, you may end up with no entry at all.

1. Ask the editor of the original category to change the category, clearly indicating the new category and the reasons for change.

2. If the original category has no editor assigned (or if he is a "sleeping" editor), it is almost certain that step 1 will have no effect. Then go up the ODP category tree until you find an active editor. Send him an email explaining that step 1 did not work and asking him to implement the change. Worked for me.

I personally think waiting is not a good strategy, it is often easier to get moved to some category than to get listed there directly.