This is the third article I have now written about DMOZ or the Open Directory Project, during my time as a volunteer editor with the directory which started back in October 2009, when my application to edit in the Games/Gambling/Guides/Reviews category was accepted.

The purpose of this article, is to put to bed some myths about the directory, particularly some assertions made from a very vocal minority of gambling webmasters, concerning some of the categories I myself as an editor have permissions to edit in.

The aims of the directory are clear, and that is to be a worthwhile resource to the visitors of the directory and not to act as a link resource for webmasters.

Very recently, I have read postings from a couple of disgruntled online gambling webmasters alleging favouritism towards particular webmasters and websites and that DMOZ is a by and large a closed shop.

It is certainly true that not many editors like editing in the Gambling branch. In part very much down to the attitude  shown by those few individuals who view any work on the directory in that area with a high degree of suspicion.

Furthermore I have read many misguided comments on forums and ridiculous blogs which I plan to tackle in this article

1. A Website Domain can only have one listing. - INCORRECT - If the website has good quality content covering many areas, the site in question can have multiple listings across multiple categories in the directory.





2. An editor is not allowed to list their own site - INCORRECT - If the website offers unique content which is valued as a good resource for a visitor, then an editor can list his own site. However the editor has to apply the same listing guidelines to his/her own site as he does any other site he/she reviews.





3. It has been alleged that I should not have removed my other site OnlineCasinoReviewer.com and subsequently replaced it with Casinos-Online.co.uk and by doing so was an abuse of my editorial permissions in the directory. - INCORRECT - Having developed both sites, I am fully aware of the content on both. Hence as an editor I am in a very good position to evaluate the content on both sites. The fact remains, the content on Casinos Online features the latest industry news, updated 24/7 as and when it breaks - This is an automated process. All the reviews of the casinos are written from a player perspective, ie Yes unlike most portal owners, I have actually played at each casino and detailed my experiences. Furthermore the players resource, of which this article you are reading now is part of, has good quality content covering many aspects of online casinos from software, to licensing jurisdictions to banking.





4. A site cannot be listed if it is new - INCORRECT - There is nothing in the editorial guidelines that disallows a site from being listed based on the age of the site. The purpose of DMOZ is to be a useful resource to it's visitors. If a site was launched this morning and contains valuable content it can be listed, if an editor with the appropriate permissions comes across said site and reviews it.





5. Editors have to review sites in the date order they were suggested - INCORRECT - Sites suggested by the members of the public are only one resource used by editors when finding suitable sites to list. Indeed many editors do not even bother looking at the suggestion pool. Furthermore, editors can choose which sites to review from the pool in whatever order they wish. It is true some editors review the pool in suggested date order. However many editors review sites from the pool if an accurate and unspammy title and description has been used by the person suggesting the site.





6. A site has to have hundreds if not thousands of pages of content to be listed - INCORRECT - As long as the site being reviewed is not a 'Business Card Site' ( ie a site with one page ) and does contain useful and  unique information which will improve the category as a resource, then it can be listed. Whether it has 5 pages, 10 pages or 10,000 pages.
   





7. An editor has to ensure the category or categories he has permission to edit in, is continually updated - INCORRECT - Being an editor is a volunteer task and is viewed as a hobby. The only thing which is asked of you as an editor is to make at least one edit in any four month period. Failing to do so will mean you editor account will close automatically.





8. Beauty is not skin deep. When reviewing a site an editor does not just take into account the make up of the home page. If a site has a lot of affiliate links on the home page this does not preclude it's listing. Certainly not, if the actual content of the pages within far outweighs the outward affiliate links.





9. Once a site is listed, it stays listed. - INCORRECT - No one site is guaranteed a listing for life. There are a number of reasons why, such as no updates to the site for an age, site becomes hijacked or in the case of a forum, the activity drops off a cliff and just becomes a banner and affiliate link farm. These are just a few of many many reasons.





10. A directory listing is the HOLY GRAIL of SEO. - INCORRECT - This may well have been the case back in 2001, but alas a link within the directory is just that, a link. It will not effect your positions and serps in the search engines or give you some seo turbo boost to your site and quite frankly nor should it. I am sure this will be disappointing to some, but if you don't believe me, have a search on Matt Cutt's blog, as he blogged about DMOZ a few months back.

A couple of webmasters have made incorrect and false allegations that the sole reason that Casinos-Online.co.uk links to the DMOZ Gambling Branch and the Google Directory Gambling Branch, is due to the site participating in a link wheel.

Well firstly what on earth is a link wheel? Until a few days prior to writing this article I had never heard that term. I guess that means I must be a poor webmaster right?

Secondly, the links to DMOZ, Google and Gamcare ( We support responsible gambling hence Gamcare is linked out to from every page of the site as well ) are no followed. Incidentally our about us, company, privacy policy and legal disclaimer pages are also no followed.

Thirdly, I am actually proud of my work editing in the directory and value the DMOZ Gambling Branch as a resource in it's own right. Unlike many sites in this industry, the purpose of Casinos-Online.co.uk is first and foremost to be an excellent resource for it's visitor base. Hence the links out to DMOZ and Google. See nothing sinister there. Unless of course you are one of those individuals blinded by smoke and mirrors.

I was accepted as an editor for the directory on the 7th October 2009 and my DMOZ profile can be viewed here.

I tend to edit in spurts where time permits. I am allowed to divulge how many edits I have made, currently it is just over 2000, of which several hundred have been within the gambling categories I am fortunate to have permissions to edit in.

Unfortunately this will upset the conspiracy theorists, but alas all my site affiliations have been properly declared to the senior editorial community of the directory.

For those who wish to know what sites I have personally added and personally removed or unreviewed, then apply to become an editor. As editorial guidelines do not permit me to publically detail this information. See directly below how you can do this!

I will say though, I am an open book and should you wish to join the editorial community at DMOZ, you will be able to see this firsthand for yourself.!

It is a simple fact that there are not anywhere near enough active editors editing within the Gambling Branch of the directory.

If you are a webmaster and are truly passionate about the directory then please please please apply to become an editor. Become part of the solution and not the problem.

If you can put up with the  whingeing and crying of a select few webmasters and want to improve the directory as a resource then apply!

Should anyone require help in compiling and completing their editor application, then join our player forum and send me a private message for help. I will be only too glad to assist.

Instead of blowing a gasket on a multitude of forums and turning into a keyboard warrior extraordinaire, report any suspected abuse using the abuse form on the DMOZ site linked to here.