The first thing I would like to point out is that DMOZ is not a listing service for webmasters. However if your were to read the numerous webmaster and seo forums on the internet, you would be led to believe that the sole purpose of the directory, is to provide a service for webmasters. This is completely incorrect. The purpose of the directory is to provide a resource for it's end users, it's visitors. To provide a useful resource of quality websites.

One of the many complaints levelled at the directory and their editors, particularly the Gambling Branch, is that the directory is very rarely updated and many of the listings are out of date and do not comply with the listing guidelines. This is not actually the case, there are in fact at the time of writing this article just under 5,000 currently active editors. Including several with designated permissions in the Gambling Branch. In addition there are over 200 editors of which many are active who have permissions to edit anywhere within the directory.

The first rule and only rule of suggesting a site to DMOZ, is submit your suggestion and forget. Whilst this information is not what many webmasters want to hear, this is extremely good advice. Webmasters are better off spending their time adding quality informative content to their websites and obtaining links from other sources, rather than obsessing over obtaining a listing in the DMOZ Directory.

So why do webmasters still strive to attain a listing in DMOZ and what value if any does a listing in the directory provide a website when it comes to ranking in the major search engines?

There is no denying that a listing within the DMOZ directory, is a good back link to have for a website. Indeed a listing within the directory will also mean that backlinks will be attained from the hundreds of sites that utilise the DMOZ RDF files. This includes the google directory.

In my opinion though, the value of a link in DMOZ is no different in terms of seo value than a backlink from another directory such as BOTW or from sites in sector that your site operates in. This is not to say that a link in DMOZ is bad, quite the opposite, but I must stress that a website does not require a listing in DMOZ to rank highly, even for competitive keywords which exists in the online gambling area.

A DMOZ listing is just one of many numerous factors which the major search engines take into accounts when organising their search results.

Ok, so you have read the above and still would love your site to be listed in DMOZ, so what can you do to improve your chances?

As a DMOZ Editor ( My Editor Profile on DMOZ ) since October 2009, I wrote a brief article for our sister site Online Casino Reviewer UK, titled Webmasters and DMOZ.

This covered in general the listing criteria for gambling sites and what webmasters can do to improve the chances of their sites being deemed listable by the reviewing editor and thus subsequently listed within the appropriate category.

The most important thing any webmaster can do, is ensure that their site is designed for the visitor in mind and in turn provide quality informative content which anyone reading will find of benefit. If your site is just designed to drive traffic thru affiliate links and banners, then I am afraid your site stands no chance of obtaining a listing within the directory.

If your site just contains adcopy reviews based on the materials provided by the affiliate programs you work with, then your site has no chance of being listed. However if your site provides objective, unique informative content, then it stands a good chance of being listed, when an editor with permissions in the category it has been suggested to reviews the site.

As an editor for DMOZ with permissions to edit in a number of categories within the Gambling Branch, I can personally attest to the fact that the vast majority of suggested sites are nothing more than link and banner farms. Ask yourself without your webmasters hat on, if your site would indeed add value to the category you are suggesting it to.

Ensure the category you suggest your site to, is the one that reflects your site most suitably. Whilst suggesting it to an incorrect category does not mean your site will not be listed, it will however delay the time it takes before it is reviewed. As the reviewing editor will have to move your site to the most appropriate category, where it will then wait until an editor with permissions to edit there gets round to reviewing it.

When suggesting your site to the directory, spend some time on the suggestion. Treat it with care and consideration. Do not use adcopy, promotional hype.

A suggestion using the title "Best Online Casinos" and a hyped description such as "Reviews of the best amazing online casinos available on the internet" will not be looked at favourably by the reviewing editor.

Indeed this creates more work for the editor, as if the site is actually listable as per the DMOZ Gambling Guidelines, the reviewing editor will have to completely rewrite the title and description.

Once you have submitted your suggestion, do not suggest it again, even if after a year your site has not been listed. Doing so is counterproductive and if you make multiple resuggestions, it could get your site marked as spam.

If your site is listable as per the DMOZ Guidelines it will be listed. However no one can tell you when this can be. The best piece of advice is submit and forget.

The answer is yes. DMOZ is always looking for more editors. Indeed, the more editors the better, as it means more work can be performed on the directory to ensure it is up to date and thus contains as many quality websites listed as possible.

A few tips on applying to become an editor. Choose a category which contains less than 100 sites. If successful, in time you can apply for permissions for larger categories, once you have demonstrated that you are a competent editor.

Secondly if choosing a topical category to apply to edit, choose one which you have some knowledge about. Not only will this make your editing experience more rewarding, it will also be easier to find and identify sites to add to the category.

Thirdly choose a category which is not a target of spam submissions. Those categories in the Gambling branch, receive an abundance of spam and therefore the meta editor that reviews your editor application may not deem a gambling category a suitable category for a new editor to be assigned permissions.

Fourthly be completely upfront and honest about any and all site affiliations you have. Editors are expected to be honest and not disclosing any site affiliations raises a very large red flag to the meta reviewing your application. Be sure to include any forums you moderate on and those sites you have helped work on, even if you do not derive a financial gain from such sites. For instance, regarding myself, the meta community are aware of my being a moderator on CasinoMeister.com.

Finally, spend a considerable amount of time on your application. Treat it like you would a job application. Metas expect that all editors show due care and diligence when editing. Your application is showing them that you can follow the editorial guidelines. Failing to do so, will result in a rejected application.

A listing on DMOZ is a good link to have, but should not be regarded as the holy grail of seo. The rule is submit and forget. Remember that DMOZ is not a paid inclusion directory.

There are countless paid directories which provide good value link backs to websites, popular examples include BOTW.org and Yahoo, which you can obtain listings on for a fee. DMOZ is not one of them.