Sphinn - BOTW In Talks To Purchase DMOZ Directory From AOL

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BOTW In Talks To Purchase DMOZ Directory From AOL

Went Hot: September 15, 2008 - 1:19 am
Posted By: steaprok 294 days ago
Topic Type: News Story (Jump to http://www.shoemoney.com)
Category: Searching

Anyway as I said above I am good friends with the owners of BOTW so obviously I am biased. I am curious to hear your thoughts on the deal if in fact BOTW is the new owners of the DMOZ directory.

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from wheel 293 days ago #

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Not sure I like the idea conceptually, makes me a bit uncomfortable. But if anyone's going to take it over, BOTW folks are the ones to do it.

Of course, they're buying it to monetize it - so the question is how are they going to monetize it? Probably paid listings. And then what happens to all the unpaid editors? Fired? Expected to work for free for a for-profit org?

from ShaneEubanks 293 days ago #

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As long as they weed out a large portion of the "editors" currently in DMOZ. The quality of DMOZ has tanked over the years in my opinion. SOMEone needs to take it over and save the sinking ship.

from mikemurray 293 days ago # - show/hide this comment

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I think the editors could remain; the standards may change, and that could be a good thing (maybe better systems about whether a request is in the que or some kind of status).

from SexyGirl 293 days ago #

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Does DMOZ still pull its weight with SE importance anymore? I thought DMOZ was near-death a couple of years ago?!

from finalrune 293 days ago #

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Interesting to see where this goes. DMOZ has definitely been bunk for a while, but it's amazing how much power Google still gives it.

from IncrediBILL 293 days ago #

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Sounds like a complete waste of money that BOTW could use better in other ways.

from MikeDammann 293 days ago #

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I disagree. DMOZ may be garbage quality wise, but as a brand it carries value. Of course, it will all depend on what the new owners will do with it whether or not it's going to benefit them.

from iamlost 293 days ago #

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Besides whatever SE residual value, DMOZ still drives 1.3 to 2-million (Compete and Quantcast variants) worth of traffic monthly.

Indeed, an 'added' value of directory traffic (including BOTW) is that it is NOT SE traffic. Diversification is a good thing.

It could also jump BOTW into the ranks of the big directories, clean up and rehabilitate DMOZ, and provide genuine competition to Yahoo and Business.com. Plus leapfrog JoeAnt.:)

Lot's of upside for BOTW. Depending upon the price.

from CameronOlthuis 293 days ago #

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BOTW ftw!!

from Jill 293 days ago #

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Mike, I don't think DMOZ has a brand outside of the SEO community.

from IncrediBILL 292 days ago #

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@mike - a garbage brand is still garbage

And DMOZ is synonymous with DUMPSTER at this point.

You average webmaster has never heard of it, couldn't care less, etc.

If they're just buying traffic, fine, maybe for the right price.

If they're buying a brand, it's a tarnished brand, spend that money pumping BOTW instead.