Does the ODP category matter to Google?

Just wondering if where your site is in the ODP matters or not.

[bdstreet]

I notice that my site is in a "Regional" category in dmoz.org and most of my competitors are in

Business > Healthcare > Computing or
Business > Healthcare

Should I try to get my site moved to this directory, or does it matter?

[Kandevil]

The link google follows to get to your site will depend on where it is.

A site in Business > Healthcare > Computing would be on the page

[dmoz.org...]

Whilst a page in regional would be found on:

[dmoz.org...]

I know where I would prefer to be for keywords in the URL google crawls before it gets to me.

I say try to get listed for that category, but don't try and get moved. If your relevant in both, you'll have two listing in DMOZ which would be nice, wouldn't it.

[allanp73]

If you look at the pr for the categories, the value of the link is different. Usually top regional categories higher pr and have few sites listed, therefore getting listed in these categories is like getting a double bonus.

[rfgdxm1]

Yes. Generally speaking, the higher PR category is preferable. However, the number of links in the category can also be an issue. Please note that ODP rules allow a listing in BOTH Regional and the topical category.

[dvduval]

There are many cases where the "Google Directory" listings provide superior information to google bombed search listings.

I'm not saying all the time, but there are certainly instances where human edited listings provide superior results, especially in high spam areas. And if Google would pick up the latest dump, it'll even be better. ;)

[jp29997]

Absolutely, you should want to be in the same category with your principal competitors. My site showed improvement in PageRank (#32 to #8) when the site was moved to the correct category at DMOZ

[lazerzubb]

Yes it never hearts to apply for another category just don't do it to much, and as stated the higher PageRank the better.

This has been covered before, and there might be more valuable information about this, try doing a Site search [searchengineworld.com] or use your favourite search engine ;)