Question about Golden Web Awards

[palmpal]

Can someone explain how the Golden Web Award system works? Is this a valid organization? I've submitted my website in the past and never got a response. Also, I see some websites with the Golden Web Award Logo. It appears that they are winners but then it may be a "voting system" of sorts. In either case, their website does not explain things well.

[John_Caius]

No, they just accept or reject your site for the award and then send you large quantities of e-mail asking whether you want to pay $xxx for your personalised certificate, subscribe to the International Association of Webmasters and Designers (does that really exist?) and various other inoffensive stuff. Use a throwaway e-mail address if you can! I don't think it counts for much but it doesn't hurt your site either.

[SlyGuy]

It's an easy way to become an "Award Winning Website!" ;)

Golden Web Awards don't have the strictest standards, reasonable content and design should suffice.

Heed the advice from John Caius and use a Hotmail account or something, as it appears that IAWMD make most of their money from certificates that are "suitable for framing".

- Chad

[coosblues]

One other thing not mentioned about many web awards. I see many of them as just a way to gather incoming links by placing their logo on your website. Many of these "award sites" happily give you the award and then tell you to "copy and paste your award" onto your site (with their nice return link). I'll make you all a reward for a link - what a deal :)

[palmpal]

Thanks for the responses! It sounds like something I could (or should) put on the back burner.