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Getting listed in Google.

How do I get into Google? Well, Google has a 'submit URL' page like most search engines and directories, but Google is not like most search engines – the 'submit URL' page is useless. I think they added that page so that they would not get bombarded with emails from Web site owners asking why their Web site or Web pages have not been included in Google yet. 

As Google follows hyperlinks between Web pages looking for content, the way to get listed is to get a link, preferably lots of links to point to a page on your Web site from other Web sites, which are already listed in Google.

The more links you have coming in to your Web site, the more likely, or more quickly, Google will find your Web site.

Do you have a Xara-related site, which is not listed in Google? Why not start by submitting it to the Xara Xone link section?  Xara Xone is listed in Google…

ODP—The only guaranteed way in to Google. At the time I'm writing this there are two ways that will guarantee you that Google will visit your Web site, and both are within your control.

The free way to get in to Google is to first get your Web site listed in the ODP (Open Directory Project). This is a directory Web site like Yahoo but it is run by volunteer editors that review submitted Web sites for possible inclusion in the directory.

Please, visit http://www.dmoz.com and read the FAQ's on how to submit your Web site, and what they are looking for in terms of quality and content. You are not guaranteed a listing in the ODP but your chances will increase if you take the time to read and follow the ODP guidelines.

Do not try to take any shortcuts when writing your submission. Do follow the instructions. Do submit only to the one most suitable category.

Because ODP is run by volunteer editors that give up some of their spare time to do this, make their job as easy as possible! If you write an incomplete, or irrelevant Description or submit to the wrong category, chances are that your Web site will end up sitting there. An editor will have an easier time with the Web sites that were submitted correctly. If he/she has a lot of Web sites in the backlog – which ones do you think will be the priority?

A bonus with being listed in the ODP is that a lot of search engines use the ODP data to build up their directories (Google included). So not only do you get a directory listing in the ODP but 200+ other search engines as well.

Another beautiful thing about being accepted in to the ODP is that Google will mark all your Web pages in its search results with a comment telling a viewer what category of Web site it is - using the ODP data. It will also show the whole Description for your Web site, which was used in the ODP, in addition to the standard information.

The only other guaranteed way to get listed in Google is to have your Web site listed in the Yahoo directory first. Through the partnership that these two companies currently enjoy, Google guarantees to crawl all Web sites listed in Yahoo, and in return Yahoo displays Google search results from it's own Web site.

Yahoo is not free like the ODP. There are also no guarantees that you will get listed. The fee that Yahoo demands ensures only that an editor will review your site in a timely manner. But under normal circumstances, if your Web site has genuine content, instead of a collection of, let's say, affiliate links, you will most likely be accepted.

As Google considers the Yahoo and ODP Description and Title of your Web site when matching search queries, take this into account when submitting your Web site. If your Web site were about "widgets", it would be crazy not to try and get the word "widgets" into these directories - preferably in the Title of your Web site, as this carries more weight than the Description.

>>> Just being listed in the directories that Google partners with will give you an extra boost in the search results.

 

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