Pay to list option?

[excell]

Paid for listings option now.. any comments?

[ihelpyou]

I cannot find the info. Please post a link.

[excell]

http://www.goguides.org/index.php/add/1123
that is Home > Sports & Recreation > Marathons
ummm. not a good look.. hope it will work out.

[ihelpyou]

Sorry GoGuides, I don't like it:
Provides a free service for GoGuides.Org contributors.
With the heavy volume of site submissions, this mode provides no guarantee of review or timely consideration.
Not even a review?

Not a good thing to make me pay for it.

If all you want to do is force people to pay, you need to get busier or get some good partners first. I think you are rushing things a little.

Just my opinion, of course.

I do think I will not waste the time to submit the MANY sites I have not gotten around to submitting yet if they won't be considered.

[crash]

I think you have your options confused:

Option 1) Pay
- Best choice for users needing sites listed quickly.
- Expedited review of site for inclusion.Only 2 US Business Days!
- Guaranteed review of your site within only two business days.
- Only a one time $39.99 fee.*
- Get listed before the holidays!

Option 2) Don't Pay
- Provides a free service for GoGuides.Org contributors.
- With the heavy volume of site submissions, this mode provides no guarantee of review or timely consideration

and "*Review of suggested site DOES NOT guarantee inclusion into the GoGuides.Org Directory. See Terms of Service." is similar to Yahoo - your paying for an expedited review, not inclusion. Make sure your site meets their guidelines :)

[ihelpyou]

Exactly. NO guarantee of review.

Did I read it wrong?

btw, I don't I'm confused as that is what you wrote as well. :)

[ihelpyou]

I think the upper people need to give the editors a swift kick to review the many sites that are backlogged. That's what I think.

[crash]

.......

the 'no guarantee of a review' is attached to the FREE option - the pay option clearly (i think) states that a review is guaranteed within 2 days (the bold part)

The paragraph you originally quoted is from the FREE option NOT the Pay option.. 2 different things.

perhaps we are not seeing the same thing.. I get two tables in the middle of the page - the one to the left of the OR is red and for the pay option with a link in the last row, the one to the right of the OR is lime green (containing your quote) with a link to the free submit page in the last row..

are you not seeing the two seperate tables?

[ihelpyou]

I quoted the Free option only. I'm not talking about the pay option at all as that is crystal clear to me.

I'm not paying so the free option says "NO guarantee of review".

If that is the case, I won't be submitting the 50+ sites that I have Not made the time to do as of yet. A time waster if they won't even be reviewed.

Doncha think?

Besides, good partners should come first, IMO. I still think this is a little rushed. I can forsee the editors simply ignoring the free submissions now. Not a good thing at all.

[crash]

btw, I don't I'm confused as that is what you wrote as well

ah.. no - the 'no review' sentence is under 'option 2 : don't pay' tried to be as clear as possible - guess I wasn't

[crash]

Then I misunderstood your post.

Not even a review?

Not a good thing to make me pay for it.


I took it that you were saying that paying was not guaranteeing a review.

As posted elsewhere, most reviews are done in under a week - but there is no guarantee. There are alot of submission, if you need your site included for the holiday, or your customer is impatient, it's not a bad deal.

While GoGuides may not be a traffic magnet, they are crawled by Google, Fast/ATW, INK, etc. The listings encourages the other crawlers to find your site(s) and so far I have seen great inclusion rates elsewhere from that one little link. The PR may not be that high but there is obviously some importance placed on the directory by the other engines.

Besides, a few moments for a submission isn't that big of a deal. To dismiss it due to a technicality disclaimer is being a bit harsh don't you think.

[ihelpyou]

Yeah, you misread it completely.

No review for not paying. I quoted the free option. To me, that's forcing us to pay because there is NO guarantee of review if you do not pay.

That's what I am saying. Why should I submit for free if no one is going to review the submission?

[JoeAnt]

I have to say I like this option.

It's strange, but more people would buy something for a dollar then take it as a hand out. If something doesn't have value, what's it really worth? You've just given your free submits a value that should make those webmasters spend more time on their listings. Heavens know directories see way too many listings where it appears the webmaster cared less whether it was added or not. Not just at JoeAnt.com, but at DMOZ and old Go.com. Very rarely do they follow the guidelines and the bulk of directories go by a universal rule book.

If this does increase the quality of the free submissions, let us know. For that alone, it would be worth implementing. This way those that follow the guidelines are not stuck in queue because the anthills were already full of spammy titles and descriptions.

If you don't want to read the Guidelines, pay and we'll read them to ya. That's becoming the new motto around the web. As well it should be. Most directories are set up where all we have to do is click one button if the site is good enough for inclusion. Make a volunteer do any more than that, and you've just lowered your chances. Though, some are known to go way out of their way to help the submitter.

If charging a few bucks can bring in some money for expenses, editor prizes and rewards, etc... good for you. As long as goguides treat those that have read and followed their guidelines the same as in the past (as I'm sure they will) I see nothing wrong with their changes.

GoGuides:
This discussion should have come after you had the chance to prove that you will still honor the submits of those that read and follow your guidelines. I think you'd see more favorable responses.

[ihelpyou]

As long as goguides treat those that have read and followed their guidelines the same as in the past (as I'm sure they will) I see nothing wrong with their changes.
I have zero problem with charging a fee to be reviewed quickly. Your statement is what I am concerned about. As long as they DO review the free submissions in a somewhat timely matter, NO complaints from me.

They need to word the free submit option better though. It says "no guarantee" for a review.

[JoeAnt]

Doug, try them out. If they don't treat you the same way, just charge them to post here. :) j/j

I'm thinking their changes are in everyones best interest.

Almost everyone at JoeAnt.com knows someone over there. I normally give them a hard time :), but I think they're doing this for good reason. We seem to be growing side by side and at an umbelievable rate. If they're in the same situation, the band usage and other costs are going to start coming into play. We're already going thru 150 gigs a month and each month that's increasing. Our dedicated server is also in one of the most expensive datacenters in the US. We're not in danger at all of closing because of this, but it would be really nice to offset that expense somehow.

[ihelpyou]

I've got a bunch of sites to submit for Free. I did not get monies for these sites and should have submitted them along time ago.

I be darn though if I am going to spend days submitting only to NOT be reviewed. The text is bolded now on the free submit option:

"NO guarantee for review"

http://www.goguides.org/index.php/add/6173

I want to know exactly what that means? Does it mean what it says? They wrote it twice in the box so it must mean something?

You all keep talking about the fee. I understand about the darn fee. I don't care about the fee. I want to know about the free submit option. That's what I want to know about right now. Future clients I can pay the fee with NO problems. Right now my concern is current clients.

Please tell me exactly what the 'no guarantee' means or if it is simply worded wrong. Or, if in fact, we could submit until we are blue in the face with never a review?

[scottiecl]

I don't know that GoGuides ever guaranteed anyone a review. Did they?

I don't think it means they intend to blow off all free submissions- I feel pretty sure it has to do with the volume of spam biz-in-a-box submissions, the same as other SE's and directories have pointed out.

We need a GoGuides editor to post on this one.

They are all volunteers right? Or do they get a cut of the submission fee? I'm sure, just like DMOZ, they are committed to building the best directory possible and will still review your sites, Doug.

[scottiecl]

Please tell me exactly what the 'no guarantee' means or if it is simply worded wrong. Or, if in fact, we could submit until we are blue in the face with never a review?

I would think that was a possibility even before the paid submission policy was implemented?

[ihelpyou]

I would think all submissions either paid or free would get at least a review.

[crash]

Why not submit one and see what happens. At the most you lose a few minutes. Heck why not get wild and crazy and submit 2 or three!

I don't know if you bother visiting other forums, but there are comments at WMW that others have gained inclusion anywhere from under 24hrs to under a week. While that may not occur all the time, it is possible - depending on the category.

My personal experience is max a couple days, generally less.

I think your making a big deal out of nothing especially if you won't even try it to see what happens. Really, it's way less painful than other directory submissions.

[ihelpyou]

They are not like ODP though. They now have went commercial from being a non-profit. That's a big difference.

I guess my concern is that who decides when the backlog of free submissions is too much and they just sit there? Until I get caught up with submissions I will be concerned with this.

JoeAnt will be blasted first by me as they are still free. :)

[zag]

WOW -- I’m surprised at all the different ways people are taking this, so I’m getting right to the point.

NOTHING HAS CHANGED at GoGuides. Nothing...

We still accept free submissions; we still review free submissions; and we still list free submissions. We offer Express Submit to those people who wish to have their site listed quickly. It’s that simple...

Here are the facts. GoGuides has become a very popular directory. Because of our strict spam policy we have gained the trust of several of the largest search engines as a point of information retrieval. But along with this trust comes a huge backlog of pending submissions from the public because people realize the importance of being listed in the directory. Adding to the backlog is the fact that not every topic has an assigned GoGuide to review pending submissions.

To help overcome this problem, Team Support has a special feature that lists all pending submissions in the order submitted. This list covers all submissions in every topic--listing the oldest submission first. Team Support works off this list everyday to ensure all sites are reviewed in as timely a manner possible. Also, our committee members have full access to the directory and are working in topics where there currently isn’t an assigned editor or the editor has become inactive.

As I said, for people who want their site listed fast we offer Express Submit. These submissions are handled by Team Support. These paid submissions help to fund the directory so everyone benefits, including the public, the GoGuides, and the site owners because it helps to ensure the financial stability and future success of the directory for decades to come.

Maybe the people who are getting sites listed very quickly without using the Express Submit should contact the GoGuide over that topic or the appropriate committee and thank them. Those who still haven’t had their sites listed should be patient because we’ll get to it as quickly as possible.

For those who think we aren’t doing enough, all I can suggest is that you join us and help.

[Glo]

JoeAnt will be blasted first by me as they are still free.

We don't guarantee a review either! :p

Right now every site submitted to Joeant will get a review. What we do not guarantee is a timely review or inclusion. Timely being a very subjective term and perhaps a better one for goguides to adopt rather than the "no guarantee of a review" statement. That's just my opinion, of cource. Over all, I agree with what Jerry said.

Even Joeant will change its submission process, eventually. Nothing stays the same. :)

[crash]

JoeAnt will be blasted first by me as they are still freeThat sentence implies that GG is not free.. it is.. the ONLY change is the Addition of a pay option if you want to rush your inclusion.. that's it.

As clarified by Zag "for people who want their site listed fast we offer Express Submit. These submissions are handled by Team Support." regular editors don't even deal with the express submission sites.. so no worry there.. they will keep on going just as they have been.

[ihelpyou]

That's all I wanted was someone to post the facts. Thank you.

I think I deserved that for being the Very first search engine forums on the whole planet to give GoGuides it's own forum on the front page. I feel we have contributed to it's success. It so happens that a couple other forums followed suit but only after we did in here. We recognized early the potential that GoGuides had, and also JoeAnt.

To say no guarantee for review and at the same time start paid submissions, gave me a false sense of security. I do have many sites to submit and I have to submit them the free way. New sites are not a problem as I can budget those in. It's just that when a site was completely free and then they start a paid service, it's only natural to wonder what happens if you do submit the free way.

Now I have my answer as Zag said nothing will change. That's just fine by me. :)

[ihelpyou]

Further; Some moderators in here will remember when I made those forums. Some asked me why and said they should not be on the front page. I took some heat about it back then. I am VERY happy you are doing great now!

Keep up the great work all!

[tlpretender]

Thanks Doug!!! :) We appreciate it.
I remember the complaints. :1:
and remember who had them. :horns:
Glad you were right!
:cheers:

[crash]

"It so happens that a couple other forums followed suit but only after we did in here."

Oh please, don't give yourself so much credit. WE didn't Follow your lead, no one did. There was a need, we had participating Guides, so we did it.

Huzzah - you were the first, :cheers: cheers. But bragging isn't very becoming. :rolleyes:

[ihelpyou]

http://www.ihelpyouservices.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=2032&perpage=10&pagenumber=1

Yes Crash, last February. Please read the thread. I'm sorry the 3 other forums you moderate at did not see the potential of GoGuides like I did. It took Months before one of them made a forum and the others still don't have a forum.

Sorry again Crash, but the facts are the facts. :)

btw, for whatever reason you have never liked me. I know this. It's fine, believe me it is as MANY people don't like me. I think that might be the attraction though as we seem to get busier and busier every darn week. That's a good thing. Not to mention having the very best moderators on the planet. You could be one as well. :)

[crash]

? I didn't debate you being the first.. I just can't believe that you felt the need to brag about something so trivial. And, I don't moderate at 3 other forums ;) I just like visiting the different forums, including yours, because I enjoy the diversity.

And, :D I'd be the first to rip anyone who made that kind of post ;) it doesn't matter who's first - you don't get brownie points for it. What you get brownie points for (IMHO) is being open for conversation and accepting that everyone (forum) is different - each has it's own strengths and those should be used to the fullest regardles of personality clashes. I don't expect everyone to like me, and I know I don't like everyone, doesn't mean I can't respect nor learn from their opinions and points of view.

Again I didn't debate you being first. I don't really care. But to make such a bold statement I thought I should point out that at SF the forum was created due to need - we just happened to wait until we had one.

[ihelpyou]

Okay, 2 others now. Use to be 3 two weeks ago. :slywink:

People who know me also know that I am very bold and direct in praising anyone at anytime. That also happens to include myself if I feel I did a good thing. I can dish it to others many times over, so I feel I can give it back as well. :cheers:



btw Crash, you know I love ya. Just have not understood why it's not mutual? :together:

[Phoenix]

Ah, well, most of us here love you Doug, hope that makes up for the few who don't. :)

I agree with you that the wording was unclear on GoGuides' free submit section. When I read it, I assumed they meant there was no guarantee on the time but that was just an assumption based on knowing some of the people there. I didn't think they would just ignore the unpaid submissions. To someone else though, it could (and did) appear that there was no guarantee that the site would even be looked at.

Just do me one favor...if you see something on JoeAnt that you question, PM or email me. It can be beneficial to have a fresh pair of eyes looking at the site. If you or the others here who deal with SEs and directories daily misunderstand something, just think what will happen with those less familiar with it all.

MB

[tlpretender]

Wording should be better now amigos on the free submission box.
http://www.goguides.org/index.php/add/981

We appreciate the feedback.

Tony

[ihelpyou]

btw Phoenix, a BDay thread for ya in the 'chat area' forum. :)

[Glo]

Mucho better, Tony, leaves less room for misunderstandings. :)

Doug, I love reading your posts. No one has to guess at what you are thinking or what you are passionate about. ;)

[ihelpyou]

LOL. No reading between the lines with me.

[Phoenix]

I just noticed the rating on this thread. Why does it have a high rating? Who rates threads? What qualities does a thread need for a high rating?

Sorry, I know this is off topic, but I hadn't noticed any ratings until just now.

M(ary)B(eth)

[tlpretender]

Hi MB,

Anyone can. Just use the drop down form on the lower right.

TL

[Phoenix]

Yeah, I saw that just as I was clicking on "submit reply" but I didn't bother editing my question since I still had other questions. What qualifies a thread (any, not this in particular) for a high rating? I know it's personal opinion, but I wondered what people look for when they rank a thread.

MB

[ihelpyou]

LOL. No idea.

For the record though, I did Not rate it. :)