DMOZ like Directory with adwords at the top

[dvduval]

I see a site that created a directory much like DMOZ with Categories and Subcategories, that features Google ads that look much like listings for the category. They do have actual links in the categories in some cases, but the ads dominate the categories, and some categories don't have anything except ads.

If this is not against the TOS I want to do this, as I know I could bring in a few extra dollars each day...but I have a feeling it is not. Your thoughts?

[John_Caius]

You can create a commercial copy of the dmoz directory so long as you abide by the licence agreement:

[dmoz.org...]

within which the key item is having the appropriate links to the actual dmoz categories as stated in that document. Whether you can generate traffic to those pages and create revenue is up to you.

Sites using ODP data appropriately are listed here [dmoz.org].

[dvduval]

This is actually more of a link directory with only a couple of links per category. It is NOT using the dmoz data. I was just saying it is like dmoz in structure. So the pages look like this:

Category Name

Google Ad 1
here is the descroption
vvv.url.com

Google Ad 2
here is the descroption
vvv.url.com

Google Ad 3
here is the descroption
vvv.url.com

Google Ad 4
here is the descroption
vvv.url.com

some link
another link

They have like 2000 pages like this...so the pages are all about presenting the ads, with a couple of real links at the bottom.

[ChrisKud5]

It sounds like it "lacks unique content" making me think once a adsense policeperson or adsense intergrity user reports the issue, it will be resolved.

Want to stick my the site?

They just have a few words and an adsense leaderboard? Sounds very suspect

[Vec_One]

It doesn't sound like a very well optimized site. I wonder if they get any traffic.

[Jenstar]

I have seen this on plenty of sites, and as far as I know, it is not against the terms and conditions. There could possibly be room for the "not enough content" warning, but it is hard to know without seeing the page.

[seogrrl]

Wouldn't this fall under the ability to have adsense on search results pages?

SEOGrrl

[Jenstar]

AdSense is now allowed on search results pages. It was previously not allowed, then they allowed select publishers to test it out, and with the last terms/faq/policies update, they changed it to allow AdSense on search results.

[seogrrl]

Right, that's what I mean, if it's allowed than this could be considered search results pages right?

SEOGrrl

[CalArch90]

Right, that's what I mean, if it's allowed than this could be considered search results pages right?

No, because it is a static directory, not a search engine results page.

[dvduval]

So if 50% of the content on the site is Adwords, wouldn't you consider that to be a bit excessive?

[seogrrl]

Okay got it. To clarify can you use them on pages you utilize the dmoz database with if you are using the database within the dmoz TOS?

[CalArch90]

dvduval, stickymail me the name of the site. I'll let you know what I think.

To clarify can you use them on pages you utilize the dmoz database with if you are using the database within the dmoz TOS?

Not sure how this would work with the DMOZ database since it is not content unique to your site. There may be others who know more about this that might want to comment, but the best thing to do is to ask Google directly if it is o.k.

[seogrrl]

Thanks, since I normally add plenty of content to my pages and add the dmoz at the bottom, I think I'm covered, just wondering about pages I see with just with Dmoz.

Thanks.

SEOGrrl

[dvduval]

With Google allowing adsense on publisher created directories and no longer displaying the "directory" option on searches. Could this be one more step toward DMOZ being less important to Google?

In essence, might I go so far as to say that Google is funding DMOZ's demise?

[seogrrl]

I think that that may be the case. Can Google really give alot of credit to sites that are listed in DMOZ and less credit to sites that are not listed in a directory that does not always have editors in all the areas they offer, with editors who have sites listed in their own area and holding the string that allows their competitors in or out? In addition, what DMOZ considers a good site, is not the same as what Google considers a good site.

Theoretically, you can get listed today in DMOZ, rip it down and put up a totally different "blackhat SEO'd" site up and the things that are not favorable with google will get a better pr? Google is known for not allowing humans to come into play with their rankings/algo...but in essence giving more emphasis on DMOZ approved sites is allowing humans to have some emphasis on the algo. Just my thoughts.

[seogrrl]

And just a sidenote: I am in now way putting down DMOZ or their editors. It's a wonderful directory! I'm just making some comments and I hope they won't be miscontrued.

SEOGrrl

[Eltiti]

in a directory that does not always have editors in all the areas they offer

That's a common misunderstanding, but a misunderstanding nevertheless --every category in ODP has one or more editors who can edit there, it's just that these editors may not be listed below the category.

I started as an editor for MyHomeTown, and was listed as such. Several moons later, I became editor for MyState; at that time, I chose to remove my editor listing for MyHomeTown, to encourage other people to sign up as editor (and share the workload). But I can still edit there (and do so regularly). More importantly, my name does not show up in the categories for localities in MyState --even though I can edit in each of them.

with editors who have sites listed in their own area and holding the string that allows their competitors in or out

followed by:

And just a sidenote: I am in now way putting down DMOZ or their editors. It's a wonderful directory!

If I were truly cynical (which I'm not, of course), the particular way you chose to phrase this would make me believe that you hate ODP truly, deeply and madly --but fear that you may need the directory and/or the editors one day... I trust you simply mean that it is a human endeavor and, therefore, subject to abuse.

what DMOZ considers a good site, is not the same as what Google considers a good site

The one thing ODP looks for is unique content.

I'm not sure what Google looks for --according to some threads here, it may be a certain percentage of header tags, combined with some optimal keyword density in the title tag.

[seogrrl]

I am glad that you are not cynical, and I appreciate you not coming down too hard on me. I'm not the best at wording things.....thus the reason why I am usually a lurker and not a poster. I don't hate ODP deeply or madly, I like ODP and utilize the ability to show their content on my sites. I don't have any fears, but I don't want to offend anyone because it is a great project.

I was gearing this toward the "Could this be one more step toward DMOZ being less important to Google" What I was trying to convey is that yes it is a human endeavor, period. Google states that consumers have come to trust Google because there is no human involvement or manipulation in the way they rank pages. By giving ODP listed sites more relevance then say any other pr9, in a small essence, a part of their algo does include human involvement from ODP.

I was trying to emphasize how dmoz comes into play with the algo. for example if your site is listed in msn, yahoo and altavista all who have a pr9 it is not the same as having one listing in DMOZ. Your three listings in msn, yahoo (search results, not directory) and altavista do not equate to a listing in DMOZ. They are all directory hubs, they are not tight nich theme sites just about red widgets so why does one pr9 give more relevance than being linked to 3 other pr9's?

And yes, you are right, I did totally misunderstand the editor assignment, thanks for correcting me. I thought if it said there is no editor for this category, it meant there was no one to review your site.

Thanks again for not being too hard on me. And I apologize if my post sounded as though I was hitting ODP hard or their editors, that was not my intent. I was more or less trying to get at the heart of the algo and how dmoz effects it and why they may be moving away from giving more relevance to DMOZ listed sites.

SEOGrrl

[europeforvisitors]

Google is known for not allowing humans to come into play with their rankings/algo...but in essence giving more emphasis on DMOZ approved sites is allowing humans to have some emphasis on the algo. Just my thoughts.

Google PageRank is based entirely on "human factors."

I've never seen any convincing evidence that Google favors DMOZ-listed sites over non-listed sites when determining search rankings. The main advantage of a DMOZ listing has been a directory description to supplement Google's often cryptic text snippet on the SERP.

(BTW, aren't we getting way off topic here? This is starting to look like a thread on the Google News forum.)

[dvduval]

IMHO, saying that Google ads being allowed on human created directories in combination with Google no longer linking to DMOZ on search pages means Google is:
1) Promoting the creation of human made search pages (and even funding it)
2) making DMOZ less important in grand scheme of things.

Wouldn't you say this is on topic?
(but I wasn't sure whose post you are referring to)

[europeforvisitors]

I was referring to the "thread drift" about the relationship between Google and the DMOZ, of which I myself am guilty. :-)

[swa66]

DMOZ has rules for people editing a category with their own sites listed, read the guidelines for details if interested.
[ http*//dmoz.org/guidelines/ ]

For one it is required to be open about that when applying to become editor.
The main advantage of having this is that the editor will at least know something about the category he/she is editing (ref. unique content ...).

If an editor does hold the strings in order to protect his/her own (affiliated) site(s), file a complaint against the editor.
[non-editors do this at: http*//report-abuse.dmoz.org/ ]
or apply to become editor of the category yourself and help the other editors in their duties.

BTW: Becoming editor means also you have to submit 3 new sites in that category to DMOZ (i.e. sites of your competitors if you look at them in that way). Please don't judge too fast and too broad.