dmoz fraud

[arkyt]

I really think DMOZ's days of influence are way over. Anyone who truly believes it has influence over Google rankings these days obviously knows very little of Google's algo changes over the last few years.

Yah, Andy - I am complete idiot. NOT! Sorry, but I empathetically implore that you are sorely mistaken. To this day I have zero doubt that a listing in dmoz WILL improve a sites Google ranking!

Dave is correct in understanding my position ... dmoz can be a powerful tool, one in my opinion, that is without any doubt being "manipulated" for personal gain!

"Real" SEO guys? LMAO - seriously what does that mean?

Andy, I have never taken you as a complete idiot, so your position, to say the least, puzzles me. I cant help but think you are simply doing the "clique" thing here.

One only look at the owners of the sites listed in the Guides category for example ... We can see that some individuals are listed 2,3+ times ...its right in front of our eyes - we know who owns those sites - we can see its a clique thing!

Its easy to see that when a buddies site is listed that they almost always provide homepage links back to the other pals site - which is also listed in dmoz. Amazing! Some of these schmucks get 12+ sites listed then link back and forth between them - they DO dominate Google listings... Why would they bother doing that? Right just for the fun of it?

It's going to be impossible to convince me that all those listings mean nothing so we should just ignore them!

I say if those listings mean nothing, why not have all those listings deleted? Which is what I would like to see happen! Thats the only thing that will level the playing field!

FTR, I'm not looking to get into any heated arguments - thats not, nor has ever been my intent here.

 

[Engineer]

To this day I have zero doubt that a listing in dmoz WILL improve a sites Google ranking!

Well, that wasn't my experience while Jackpot Graphs was listed. My rankings remained the same, and traffic levels didn't change before the site was listed or after it was removed. For what it's worth...

 

[bonustreak]

Andy, I have never taken you as a complete idiot, so your position, to say the least, puzzles me. I cant help but think you are simply doing the "clique" thing here.

In all the years I have known Andy I can definalty say he is not a follower or in any sort of cliques. He is the exact opposite and does not go along with something just because everyone else is doing it etc and I would never question his integrity.

That is all I wanted to say, you boys can go back to your pissing contest now Oh and the Victoria Secret show...lol Damn mad I missed that!

 

[Webzcas]

I promised I wouldn't respond to this thread anymore, but the conspiracy theories are so laughable it pulled me in again.

I think I need to point out a very important couple of points.

1) Over 200 editors can edit ANYWHERE in the directory. Furthermore, editors with permissions in higher cats, can also edit in any child cats. Not just the listed editor.

2) ALL edits have notes and are LOGGED which can be seen by ANY other editor.

If you think you can dedicate more time to the directory and also improve it, then instead of bitching and complaining, do something about it and apply to become an editor.

Finally there is a reason my editor name is Webzcas and it is quite obvious and clear why I chose that handle as my editor name. But it looks like I have to spell it out to some of you, who are throwing around these conspiracy theories.

To be an editor at DMOZ you have to be an open book, and declare ALL affiliations. My editor name coincidentally is the same name that I use on all the gambling forums I participate on. I wonder why that is.......??

Perhaps it might have something to do with the fact, it can be googled, thus allowing the senior editor or editors who reviewed my application to find out background information concerning me.....

webzcas - Google Search

As for the stupid and actually insulting assertion that Andy has to cover my back because my company provides hosting for AGD. Not everyone Joel has the same morals or ethics as you may have......

Edited to add: If you have any concrete proof of editor abuse please submit them here: http://www.dmoz.org/public/abuse/

Furthermore, I have also contacted a couple of Meta Editors and made them aware of this thread.

 

[arkyt]

I promised I wouldn't respond to this thread anymore, but the conspiracy theories are so laughable it pulled me in again.

You know whats laughable?

I brought this thread back to life and within 7 minutes you showed up to post a snarky comment in it! THATS laughable!

The assertion that you have claimed your affiliations does not necessarily make what you are doing as an editor "right / acceptable". If you are listing your pals sites while disallowing others then you might be part of the problem not the solution.

A complete review has yet to be completed on your categories; once it has, appropriate actions will be taken.

 

[inspiration]

Quote:
I went to dmoz.org and tried to get a couple sites accepted.... actually I think I did three sites and at least one was listed....

Webscaz

Well that is actually against the guidelines if they were submitted Quote:
I went to dmoz.org and tried to get a couple sites accepted.... actually I think I did three sites and at least one was listed....

Well that is actually against the guidelines if they were submitted A. to the same branch. B. As a rule if you have several sites in one particular field, gambling in this case, only your MAIN site is listable. All others are deemed as unlistable.Here is an article I wrote regards submitting sites to DMOZ, if you are interested.

. As a rule if you have several sites in one particular field, gambling in this case, only your MAIN site is listable. All others are deemed as unlistable.

Here is an article I wrote regards submitting sites to DMOZ, if you are interested.

My questions are :

a. If you are the owner of 2 or more gambling sites can you have more than 1 site listed in the same category. E.g. : CM and GoneG same owner.

b. What do you mean by that "main site listing only" if your are a gambling affiliate (I see more than 1 gambling site listed from the same individual).

I would be more appropriate to give others a chance to get listed not only those that have the money to build sites.

I am not bitching here just want to know the rules & want to see fair policy.

 

[NoDepositCasino]

My 2 Cents:

1) Some people feel that their sites are being treated unjustly by DMOZ

2) Some people's site may get occasionally preference by Dmoz editors

3) Some editors have a hard time staying neutral (what else is new - this happens everywhere)

4) Dmoz is not as important anymore to google rankings as it used to be (this is a fact google used to WAY OVERVALUE a dmoz link)

5) Dmoz is still a very large established site with lots of google brownie points - and contextually relevant links from it (from proper sections) - will benefit google ranking. But no more or no less then any other solid backlinks.

Way to much pissing going on over nothing IMHO

/ steps of soap box

 

[inspiration]

I just want to have an answer to my questions.

My 2 Cents:

1) Some people feel that their sites are being treated unjustly by DMOZ

2) Some people's site may get occasionally preference by Dmoz editors

3) Some editors have a hard time staying neutral (what else is new - this happens everywhere)

4) Dmoz is not as important anymore to google rankings as it used to be (this is a fact google used to WAY OVERVALUE a dmoz link)

5) Dmoz is still a very large established site with lots of google brownie points - and contextually relevant links from it (from proper sections) - will benefit google ranking. But no more or no less then any other solid backlinks.

Way to much pissing going on over nothing IMHO

/ steps of soap box

Your site is listed but others would be happy to get a chance too and my aim is not about preference but about getting the DMOZ guidelines clear to others and myself. If I feel I have a site that is interesting for the user I will apply according to the rules.

 

[NoDepositCasino]

I just want to have an answer to my questions.



Your site is listed but others would be happy to get a chance too and my aim is not about preference but about getting the DMOZ guidelines clear to others and myself. If I feel I have a site that is interesting for the user I will apply according to the rules.

That makes sense - meaning that of course there should be specific guidelines that one should be able to follow to get it listed.

I just meant in regards to various theories on it "being the best thing since sliced bread for SEO" and "editors all just are sneaky" and whatnot The truth is its run by humans - with all the issues associated with that

 

[bonustreak]

a. If you are the owner of 2 or more gambling sites can you have more than 1 site listed in the same category. E.g. : CM and GoneG same owner.

This sale was just announced yesterday so I doubt if they had to remove one of the sites since they are now owned by the same person would happen instantly..

 

[arkyt]

This sale was just announced yesterday so I doubt if they had to remove one of the sites since they are now owned by the same person would happen instantly..

That rule is complete BS anyway!

There were/are inviduals who have 6,7, 8+ listings in the gambling cats!

The Guides cat, which webz claims is on the up and up features several instances of multiple listings!

Each and every single rule only applies to those sites which the editors do not want listed! Any site which they want listed can ignore any and all rules!

 

[inspiration]

Quote:
a. If you are the owner of 2 or more gambling sites can you have more than 1 site listed in the same category. E.g. : CM and GoneG same owner.

This sale was just announced yesterday so I doubt if they had to remove one of the sites since they are now owned by the same person would happen instantly..
[/QUOTE]

Rules are rules and BB is just a webmaster like anybody else (he has to declare both sites too), one of his sites can not stay - if these guidelines are valid and properly executed t.i.

 

[Aussie-Dave]

Hi All,

"Money is the root of all evil".
That statement is certainly true for this industry.

The online gaming industry grew from a small group of people most connected by family or marriage. The ever present incestuous nature of this business, coupled with the large amounts of cash to be made, galvanises these bonds. 15 years on they are stronger and have more fingers in more pies, with more strings attached to more people.

Don't fool yourself, everyone has a "price"...

I could open a pandora's box but this is not the time nor the place.

I'll close by saying, alliances and vested interested are riff. They all combine into numerous Conflicts of Interests, always strongly denied by those people who sustain and protect this status quo.

Who those people are, I'll leave for you to figure out!


Cheers



Dave

 

[arkyt]

I could open a pandora's box but this is not the time nor the place.

Who those people are, I'll leave for you to figure out!

Nope, I wasnt looking to get into naming any names here - just wanted to get everyones opinion on the matter. Hasn't really been much of a surprise that some, who are listed and or control listings, are eager to tell us all that the listings don't mean much.

One day soon there will be a time and a place to name them all. Thats gonna be one heck of a conference presentation!

 

[NoDepositCasino]

Hi All,

"Money is the root of all evil".
That statement is certainly true for this industry.

The online gaming industry grew from a small group of people most connected by family or marriage. The ever present incestuous nature of this business, coupled with the large amounts of cash to be made, galvanises these bonds. 15 years on they are stronger and have more fingers in more pies, with more strings attached to more people.

Don't fool yourself, everyone has a "price"...

I could open a pandora's box but this is not the time nor the place.

I'll close by saying, alliances and vested interested are riff. They all combine into numerous Conflicts of Interests, always strongly denied by those people who sustain and protect this status quo.

Who those people are, I'll leave for you to figure out!


Cheers



Dave

How is this different from any other industry, many governments, organizations, corporations etc?))

 

[NoDepositCasino]

Re: "Money is the root of all evil"

Money is just money, neither the root of all evil nor the root of anything else.

People do things, not money. People, or rather their actions, are the root of everything good/bad/neutral etc.

Its interesting to see how people are so focused on assigning qualities to objects - when the objects by themselves cant do squat... neither good nor evil

/steps off soapbox

 

[greek39]

Where money is to be made fraud follows. The two coexists out of necessity. Therefore, DMOZ is and must be corrupt one way or another. I submitted a very nice informative site in another sector 3 months ago and nothing. So I wonder why the site was turned down.

greek39

 

[dominique]

IMO Casinomeister and AGD belong in dmoz because they are quality sites.

What I like about DMOZ is that all the SEO tricks in the world will not get you in there, you apply, an editor suggests you for listing, and then you are considered by others. Real people (not just one) look at the site and look for actual usefulness. The site has to provide something useful that others don't.

Yes, there has been corruption, and probably always will be. But I don't think the majority of editors are corrupt. And the sites that you mention are obviously not there because of corruption but because they are solid, they need to be there because they do provide unique and useful information or services. GPWA and CAP are there too, and let's face it, if you are new to the industry, these are all sites that you should know about.

However, I agree with Andy that DMOZ has lost most of it's influence over the last few months. SEOs don't even bother with it at all anmore.

Perhaps brand new sites benefit because they get on the radar. But sites like Casinomeister don't even experience any difference when they get listed, they already have enough presence and natural backlinks to earn the rankings they do have.

DMOZ counts as one top quality backlink anymore. That is still desireable of course. But is a far cry from the importance google attached to it in the past.

 

[greek39]

Well said Dominique and fully agree. The web has changed so much I cannot see DMOZ having the influence it once had.

greek39

 

[Webzcas]

I am actually posting in this thread again for two reasons. I am not the only gambling webmaster who is an editor in DMOZ, Michael Corfman is also an editor. I actually suggested to him to apply nearly a year ago.

Michael being an editor, like myself, is privy to what goes on behind the scenes at DMOZ. A very good counterbalance, especially if any abuse was going on in the gambling categories.

He is also like myself an open book, hence his editor name is his actual name.

The second point is. Yesterday I closed down the forum on Online Casino Reviewer for new posts. ( Opened a new forum here :http://www.casinos-online.co.uk/forum/ )Now if as *Arkyt* suggests, that all DMOZ Editors were corrupt, surely I would as an editor with permissions to edit in :

Open Directory - Games: Gambling: Chats and Forums

Would be inclined to leave the forum listing for OCR ( which was added a long time before I ever became an editor on DMOZ ) on DMOZ. Not mentioning the fact that I could list all my other sites if I so wished.

Well this morning, I removed it's listing. Because as a closed forum, it no longer meets the guidelines for listing there.