This is how to get your DMOZ listing updated

[searchbliss]

I got DMOZ to FINALLY update my website's description.

This is how:
1. Search DMOZ for your domain (ex: YourDomain without the www. and .com)

2. Click on the category under your listing (ex: Computers: Internet: Web Design...)

3. Click on the editor link for that category at the bottom (ex: Category editor: SomeEditor).

4. Click on "Send to..." link (ex: Email: Send to SomeEditor).

5. Fill out the form. Use your REAL first name, last name, and email address.

6. Where it says CC Staff, select YES.

7. Fill out the comments Textarea. Don't give them any suggestions for the update (they like to handle this themselves because it is a "human-edited directory"). Write something like this:
---
Dear SomeEditor,
My site http://www.searchbliss.com has been outdated on DMOZ for several years now. I have submitted the update form many times over the past (some number) years. Is there any way to get the listing updated?

Thank you for your time,
Your Name
---

I did this yesterday and it was updated today! What I believe worked was politness, allowing them to determine the update, and CCing the staff.

I only wish the Title wasn't just "SearchBliss", but at least the description is perfect.

[webhostingrebates]

I wish I had a site on DMOZ that I could have updated

Congratulations on getting your site updated.

[vangogh]

Congrats on the update. I think you're right that the politeness helped. I think it generally does in business, but maybe even more so with DMOZ. They probably don't get many people being nice to them, mostly just complaints about why someone's site isn't listed.

[jim_noble]

did this yesterday and it was updated today! What I believe worked was politness, allowing them to determine the update, and CCing the staff.

I must be living in a time warp here. Our http://www.searchbliss.com/ listing was last updated on May/08/2006.

Politeness is always good but rather than email the editor, who might or might not be available, try using the update listing link at the top right of the category page. Your message will then appear prominently to all editors who have permissions to work there.

I'm not sure what the cc staff is for. Editors aren't cowed by a some secretariat of AOL employees who will force them to do your bidding - because there isn't one

Generally, if I see a nul update request, I wonder what the point was. You're far more likely to achieve an effective result if you attempt write a guidelines compliant description yourself.

[searchbliss]

Originally Posted by jim_noble

I must be living in a time warp here. Our http://www.searchbliss.com/ listing was last updated on May/08/2006.

Politeness is always good but rather than email the editor, who might or might not be available, try using the update listing link at the top right of the category page. Your message will then appear prominently to all editors who have permissions to work there.

I'm not sure what the cc staff is for. Editors aren't cowed by a some secretariat of AOL employees who will force them to do your bidding - because there isn't one

Generally, if I see a nul update request, I wonder what the point was. You're far more likely to achieve an effective result if you attempt write a guidelines compliant description yourself.

May/08/2006? That is odd. The description hadn't changed until June 2nd.

Anyway,
jim_noble, Thank you for the input. Can I ask you a question about DMOZ listings? How do some urls have several pages listed with lengthy titles and descriptions, while, for example, SearchBliss is listed as "SearchBliss" and not "SearchBliss Web Tools"?

[jim_noble]

How do some urls have several pages listed ..

That's an editorial discretion thing.

..with lengthy titles and descriptions..

For titles, see below.

If you see spammy entries, by all means use the update request link. You don't have to be the website owner. Don't cry wolf though.

If you seriously believe there's been editorial abuse, use the report abuse link at the top of the category page.

...SearchBliss is listed as "SearchBliss" and not "SearchBliss Web Tools"?

We normally list organisations by their names. Searchbliss seems to refer to itself as Searchbliss throughout the website .

[John Scott]

SearchBliss is listed as "SearchBliss" and not "SearchBliss Web Tools"

That standard for any web directory.

[searchbliss]

Thanks for the clarification jim_noble.

[wrmineo]

I can attest to the fact that the "Update Listing" works - I've done it for my own sites or even others when I was reseaching the ODP and seen that a link or domain has changed. The last time I did this it took about 3 days and it was updated without sending an email to an editor who's likely only to be pissed to have gotten an email from someone who didn't use the 'in place' system

[jim_noble]

The whole point of the 'in place' system is that update requests are prominently visible to all editors with editing permissions there. If you email a named editor, only s/he will know about it and s/he might be away on a 2 month trek somewhere.

I mainly work in the UK so I can't speak for other areas; updates there are usually processed within a few hours. Please note that processed and implemented aren't synonymous .

[wrmineo]

Originally Posted by jim_noble

... Please note that processed and implemented aren't synonymous .

Nice, and smart, disclaimer Jim!