Link list description fields

[JanTM]

So we all have a description field on our link lists. But how many of you requiire the submitter to put something in there?

Personally I don't care what the webmaster puts in there... I always make up my own descriptions anyway.

However... on some link lists and TGPs there is a limited amount of space for your description... and on some even a very limited amount of space. I often find it hard to come up with good 3 word descriptions. Just wondering if it would be frowned upon if I just didn't put anything there??

[Greenguy]

My script does force you to put something in there, but most of the time I just use it as a guide & make up my own.

[Surfn]

You need to put something in there for the SE's to read. I let the submitter describe usually unless it's really lame. I don't ask for them to enter the number of pics because I have the script read them. I can tell you how many SE hits I get on misspelled words from allowing submitters describe their galleries |rasta|

[RawAlex]

I use to do my own descriptions, then I discovered they all sounded like Greenguys, and I didn't want to copy - seriously, though, I let people describe their own sites, and it is one of the judgement criteria for listing the sites.

:-)

Alex

[amadman]

I don't have one.
But allot of people put one in the comments field.

I always fill all fields when submitting though. Except maybe comments and such.

[Ramster]

I have one and like it as it does cut down on time a bit. Plus if I write every description they tend to sound the same.
For my TGP I have a 30 character limit and often have to adjust the decription given at both my sites.

However I am tired of people writing fantasies instead of the actual description and have declined sites for that.

[DistantD]

I generally let the submitter describe their own site. Of course, if the same submitter keeps describing their sites the same way each and every day, I will start rejecting the submissions.

If I have more time to review, I will generally write/change the description if I like the site but the wording sucks.

DistantD
www.distantdoor.com

[DangerDave]

Webmasters submit there own here.. but I reserve the right to edit it..

IMO - if you put a shit description in you arent gonna get clicks..

If you put a bullshit description in I edit it or delet your sub..

DD

[Syke]

i have one on my small link lists and users cannot submit without one ( not NULL in MySQL) I usually check/edit the description unless it's someone i know.

[Sumrpal]

We require a description, and you betcha, I will edit them. If I have to write one myself because the field is empty, I just write something lame. LOL

It's in the submitters best interest to say what is truly on the site because we have a search feature for the surfers ... they type in what they want, it searches the site descriptions and up pop the sites with what they requested. If the description is accurate, you've got yourself a targeted surfer.

[The Other Steve]

Personally I think that a webmaster has an extra chance to sell his sponsor if he can give his site a good description.

A good description is what makes his site stand out from all the others on the link list.

For a list owner to level the playing field by writing his own descriptions is a bit unfair and tends to favour the weak.

On the other hand there are some link lists that send so much traffic that I can handle them wanting to write their own descriptions.

[Syke]

Originally posted by The Other Steve
Personally I think that a webmaster has an extra chance to sell his sponsor if he can give his site a good description.

i agree, but within reason. i dont like some of the submittions ive recieved where people have said something to the effect of;

"some awesome pics from my sponsor.com"

i usually review the site and make a description or delete the listing in these cases.

[The Other Steve]

Originally posted by Syke
i agree, but within reason. i dont like some of the submittions ive recieved where people have said something to the effect of;

"some awesome pics from my sponsor.com"

i usually review the site and make a description or delete the listing in these cases.

I agree - I didn't mean selling your sponsor by mentioning him in the description.

What I meant was that a description like - A horny old babe - is not going to jump off the page quite so much as _A horny old babe taking three up the ass

[Syke]

Originally posted by The Other Steve

What I meant was that a description like - A horny old babe - is not going to jump off the page quite so much as _A horny old babe taking three up the ass

true :-)

[Linkster]

definitely have them put something in...helps with misspell listings like Surfn says....and helps me filter subs....if someone writes a desc that tells me a mature woman with young b*ys...I just hit the delete or even worse...Ive had people say that this site has fantastic cp...do a quick prnt scrn and off to report it

[amadman]

Originally posted by The Other Steve
For a list owner to level the playing field by writing his own descriptions is a bit unfair and tends to favour the weak.

Hmm... I must say that I don't agree here. How can it be unfair to level a playing field?

Its true that my descriptions simply describe what is on the site with little hype but that is what makes my list mine. Also if something does catch my eye then it will have a description to reflect it. With the opposite being pretty much true as well.

[The Other Steve]

Originally posted by amadman
Hmm... I must say that I don't agree here. How can it be unfair to level a playing field?

Its true that my descriptions simply describe what is on the site with little hype but that is what makes my list mine. Also if something does catch my eye then it will have a description to reflect it. With the opposite being pretty much true as well.

It's unfair because this is business not a recreational hobby. If I can write a better description that will attract surfers to my site than a newbie can why should I be penalised by having my description junked and something less added by the list owner?

At the same time the newbie's poor description is also junked and a better one written by the link list owner.

That is why it is unfair.

This is not a game, this is serious business and survival of the fittest should definitely apply.

I know of one well known link list that has written some appalling descriptions of various free sites promoting genuine amateurs just because the author doesn't happen to like the body shape of model who appears on the site. That is another reason for it to be considered unfair.

[amadman]

It's unfair because this is business not a recreational hobby.

I guess I don't really see what you are getting at with this comment.

If I can write a better description that will attract surfers to my site than a newbie can why should I be penalised by having my description junked and something less added by the list owner? At the same time the newbie's poor description is also junked and a better one written by the link list owner.

I don't have a field for descriptions so nothing is really 'junked'. I just write my own.

It is true that you could most likely draw more attention by writing your own descriptions. But to be honest getting people to click on your site link is not my only objective.

This is not a game, this is serious business and survival of the fittest should definitely apply.

Again this one flies over my head. To me the one that can adapt to the environment would be the fittest.

I know of one well known link list that has written some appalling descriptions of various free sites promoting genuine amateurs just because the author doesn't happen to like the body shape of model who appears on the site. That is another reason for it to be considered unfair.

I can see this problem and I try not to be two negative in my descriptions. But for me writing straight up descriptions is supposed to be more like me telling them what they should expect to find. My voice so to speak. So the people who are comfortable with it may learn to trust me and become a regular visitor. Of coarse I do not have the submission base to keep them happy but that is another story.

[Syke]

Originally posted by The Other Steve
It's unfair because this is business not a recreational hobby. If I can write a better description that will attract surfers to my site than a newbie can why should I be penalised by having my description junked and something less added by the list owner?

In the end though, it is the link list owner that has the right to do pretty well whatever he or she wants with submittion descriptions etc, if submitters don't like it they simply don't have to use the service.

I guess having a "your description/title/category may be edited" warning or more of a guideline for desciption writing would be nice, but it's not a paid for service, so i don't think much is owed to the submitter beside thanks and here's a bit of free traffic mate.


Having said that, i tend to delete newbie submittions period.

[Syke]

i'm sure my last post will encourage all you newbies to submit your free sites to my link list :-)

all submittions to my linklist where "gg&j" is included at the end of the desciption get higher listings ( all newbies accepted, given you've followed the rules)

[The Other Steve]

Syke - of course - I agree with you 100% - ultimately it is the link list owner who can say what goes and what does not on his own link list.

If I don't like their rules or their approach then I don't have to submit to them - and there are several lists that I won't submit to simply for that reason.

Amadman - what I was trying to get across was that experienced free site builders, if they provide good accurate and descriptive text that describes their site should not be prevented from doing just that simply because it provides a playing field that is not level for newbies.

[amadman]

Originally posted by The Other Steve

Amadman - what I was trying to get across was that experienced free site builders, if they provide good accurate and descriptive text that describes their site should not be prevented from doing just that simply because it provides a playing field that is not level for newbies.

Ok I think I Gotcha. I actually have used good descriptions that webmasters have put in the comments field. But not very often.

[Sebastian]

I don't accept sites with less than a few hundred chars well written and fair description. And I edit them a lot. Unusual, but for good reasons.