Becoming an editor at the Open Directory

As explained in "How to submit to the Open Directory Project", there are two ways to get your site listed in the

ODP. You can simply submit to the directory - or you can try to qualify for an editor account and ensure that your site gets listed. In "How to submit to the Open Directory Project", we simply discussed how to submit and ignored everything related to applying for editor status.

In this article, we'll take a different viewpoint. Perhaps your site has been rejected or simply not reviewed in a timely manner. Whatever the cause, you've decided to squeeze your site in by becoming an editor. In that case, here are some pointers that might help you to join the ranks of ODP editors.

Getting started

How does one apply? The basic process is simple. Locate a suitable category, find the link that says 'Become an editor' at the top-right corner of the page and click it. After filling in the form that appears, you simply wait to be approved. Not much of a task, but if you really want that editor account, it's a good idea to know a bit more.

Start by reading the ODP's "Becoming an Editor" page. While it doesn't reveal any hidden secrets, the page gives you a good grasp of the basic do's and don'ts. After that, you will need to make a crucial decision - which category do you plan to edit? This is important, because editing permissions are tied to categories.

Initially, you will only be allowed to edit the category you applied to. Later on, you may get a permission to edit other categories as well, but don't count on it. Editors that wish to expand the set of categories they edit must apply for a permission to do so, and approval is far from a piece of cake.

Choosing a category to edit

One suitable strategy is to try to get approved to edit the category you want to list your site in. Unfortunately, new editors are rarely approved to certain categories. On the other hands, there are some things that can increase the odds of your editor application being accepted. Try to examine the category you'd like to edit and answer 'true' or 'false' to the following questions:

This category does not have an editor. If the text 'Volunteer to edit this category.' appears near the bottom of the category page, the category is usually lacking an editor.
This category is a low-level category, meaning that it is many steps below the top of the directory tree. For example, Computers: Internet: Web Design and Development: FAQs, Help, and Tutorials: Beginners is a low-level category, while Computers: Internet most certainly is not! Even Computers: Internet: Web Design and Development is very much high-level.
This category (and any possible subcategories it may have) contain a small number of links. In the above example, C: I: Web Design and Development and its subcategories contain over 20,000 links. C: I: Web Design and Development: FAQs... : Beginners only has 44.
This category is clearly in bad shape. Perhaps there are only a handful sites listed or none at all? Maybe some of the links no longer function or lead to pages totally unrelated with the category? Some of the sites might lack descriptions or have unsuitable descriptions, like 'THE BEST WIDGET STORE THERE IS! BUY MY WIDGETS NOW!'.

If you answered 'true' on all points, especially the first three, then you might have found a good category to apply to. However, if you tended to answer 'false' or were unable to decide, then it might be wise to keep searching. There are hundreds of thousands of categories in the Open Directory, so it can take a while to find the most suitable one.

Help! All the categories I want are too difficult to get!

Unfortunately, while the absolute number of categories is great, probably only a handful of them are suitable for your site. In the worst case scenario, all of the categories could be relatively high-level and in good shape, which could mean that your chances of being allowed to edit any of them right off the bat would be small.

If that is the case - and you've already attempted simply to submit your site - taking a detour can be a good call. Start by looking at categories that are not ideal for your site, but under the same tree as those that are. If you'd want to eventually get listed under Games: Board Games: War and Politics, but are unsure about the chances of your editor application there, consider applying for Games: Board Games: War and Politics: Axis and Allies.

As you are trying to get your hands on a small category, rather than the larger one that you actually are after for, you're more likely to get your foot in the door. Once you're in, you'll need to edit your category for a while and do a good job at it. Lay low and spend at least a few months improving your category. Make at least 50 edits, add a large numbers of new, useful links and ensure that all sites have proper descriptions and titles. Then, apply to edit that category you wanted to get your hands on in the first place.

Because you now are an established editor, with a degree of experience and a good track record, your odds of getting that big category have improved considerably. Your application to edit this larger category seems logical, as your previous editing experience is related to the category you are applying. While there's no guarantee that you actually will get the category, at least you're in with a shot.

If you decide to implement this detour-strategy rather than heading straight towards your initial goal, get to know the ODP's "Advice for New Permissions" guidelines before you do anything. They explain in detail what is expected from an editor that seeks to increase the amount of categories he can edit. Be warned - some categories might not be within reach before hundreds of edits and years of editing experience.

Filling that application form

Have your strategy planned and your category selected? Excellent. Next, it's time to think about what to write on the application. The big question is, are you going to be honest or dishonest? Shall you pose as yourself, a siteowner that just wants to list his site quickly - or shall you, like all the cool superheroes, hide your true identity?

The choice is yours. It is my opinion, however, that if you declare potential conflicts of interest - such as webmastering a site that could belong to the category - your application is much less likely to be accepted. If you decide to pose as someone else, ensure that the application doesn't contain any traces of who you really are.

So what about actually filling the application? While no single "write this and you're in"-formula exists, here are some tips on what to put into those gaping blank fields.

Display name:	Obviously choose one that is not offensive or childish, but at the same time doesn't give the impression that you're trying too hard to impress. One good choice is to base your display name on your, uhm, "real name". If you identify yourself as "James Young", then a good display name could be "jyoung" or "james76". However, you don't need to be too conservative - names like "sunchild" or "parrotlover" are OK. A smart approach is to browse the directory a bit and see what kind of names the other editors use. Just remember that whatever you do, don't put in something like "suckit" or "moneymaker".
E-mail address:	If you don't hide your identity, this is easy. However, if you do hide it, it's a bit more tricky. Have a friend who can supply you with a real address, like my.editorname@company.com or my.displayname@isp.com ? Great, because that adds credibility. If not, you'll have to get by with a free web-based E-mail. Out of them, Gmail probably tarnishes your image least.
Have you ever been an ODP editor previously:	No.
What is your Internet experience:	Explain that you've used the Internet for quite a while, at least several years. Emphasise community aspects, such as participating on discussion forums or writing messages on the Usenet. Perhaps you've been active at Wikipedia or participated in open source coding projects. You might have helped to build (preferably non-commercial) sites totally unrelated to the category.
Why are you interested in volunteering:	You've enjoyed being a part of web communities in the past - see above - and are seeking for new projects to participate in. After bumping into the ODP, you noticed that it is a useful tool in finding high-quality sites but that some categories, such as the one you are applying for, are in need of improvement. You might mention that you have already plenty of good sites relevant to the category in your bookmarks - why not make them public?
Your interest in the category:	The subject may be an hobby of yours or related to your studies / occupation. Whatever you choose, don't make your potential commercial interests visible. Being a collector of rare coins is OK, so is being employed by a store that sells them and loving your job. Owning the biggest Internet-based antique coin store is not.
Sites you are associated with:	You might mention one or two completely unrelated ones, such as a hobby sites built by your friends with your assistance or something similar. Mentioning "none" also works, but can arouse suspicion. If you claimed to be an experienced Internet user, surely you've been involved with at least one site? Of course, if you're an honest person, you'll mention your own site. However, if you do so, accept that it might cost you the job.
The three example URLs:	Take your time to select these. Even while you have the opportunity to submit just two, do submit three. It shows that you're not just doing the bare minimum to get accepted. Use Google and the Yahoo Directory to find relevant sites. Wikipedia is also a good tool, as it often lists the best of the best related sites under "See also" in relevant articles. Do not submit your own site as one of these three. In the Title field, write the official title of the site. Under Description, write a short description of max. 20 words or so. Try to make it sound official and avoid all hype, capitalization tricks and so on. Don't repeat the Title field in the description.

Now you have an application, but don't send it just yet. This is the most difficult part of the process, so patience tends to pay off. I suggest that you take note of what you've written and sleep on it. The next day, go over your notes one more time and try to think how you could improve your application. After that, just submit and hope that luck is on your side.

Remember that reviewing your application may take time, as only selected editors have the power to review editor applications. If months go by and you don't hear anything, or if you are rejected, don't start bombarding the category with applications. Rather, reconsider if you could apply to another category - perhaps using a different name and IP address?

Once you are in

If accepted, you will get an E-mail from the Open Directory. It will contain login instructions and other necessary details. After getting to know the system, do some edits and try to add high-quality links. Don't add your own site just yet; nothing raises a red flag more than adding a single site in your first editing session and then disappearing for good. Include your site only after gathering a bit of experience, preferably editing for at least a month with at least a dozen edits or so.

As an editor, it may be tempting to misuse your power by removing the sites of your competitors, writing a hype-full description for your own site or blocking all new submissions. Consider twice before doing so. Not only does it increase your risk of losing your editing privileges, but also ticks off all other webmasters. Perhaps it could benefit your site, but from all other angles it is extremely counter-productive.

Finally, keep in mind that your editor account will expire if you are inactive for 4 months. So, if you want to hold on to what you've gained, make a habit of doing a few edits every couple of months.