Is it ethical?....
 

Is it ethical for directories that require a recip to not inform you via an email if your blog / site has been rejected?

How many webmasters are sending traffic / creating a free backlink to directories that don't have them listed?

Of course it's ethical. It's your job to follow up and see if you've been listed because you are the one requesting the link trade, not them.

Arguably it's not ethical, but ethics don't really apply.

What is needed is a public information source that lists the behaviors of traffic sources in the same way that stocks are listed, measured, and tracked.

That takes ethics completely out of the equation.

I wonder how such a thing could be coded? probably not so easy - and would end up having to be all hand entered.

But a tracking code that could be put on a traffic page would be the ideal.

|thumb


We could all start using Choker's script and do some skimming, Bill.:D

Ahh, I see those trafic brokers on that panel really got your attention.

Actually, I think in the future we will see a lot more of that kind of thing.

It's an inevitable consequence of paid accounts and the growing unreliability of some traffic sources.

Everybody would be happy to pay for traffic if it's quality could be measured. At some point the ability to measure quality will become the standard.

Yeah, I'm not very fond of those guys. Though I do see the value in using purchased traffic for some projects/testing, I still fall back on "if the traffic had real value, they wouldn't be selling it".

What were we talking about? ;)

As far as creating some sort of central database for measuring traffic levels/behaviours, I think the difficult part would be getting all parties to agree on using it. I really doubt that it would be advantageous for anyone to make their traffic stats public.

Yeah, well, I'm thinking of something more oriented towards freesites and galleries than blog listings in blog directories, which is the original complaint, I suppose.

Are there a lot of blog directories that don't send out approval or denial emails, and/or that take months to review link submissions?

If there are, which ones are they?

Off the top of my head, I can't think of any blog directories that don't send a message when a link has been submitted or approved. Since I've never had a blog rejected, I cant say as to whether they send rejection e-mails. I know on both my directories, I should be doing all three.

That having been said, I do believe that any link appearing on any of my sites is my responsibility to ensure it is linked to a quality partner and properly reciprocated.

I do check the directories manually a few days after submitting. Most directories send an approval email, but some don't. I've never received a decline email, and since several weeks have passed since some of the submissions, I guess they are being declined without response.

I really wish I would get an email if declined just so I can have some feedback as to why. I'm always willing to make changes etc. This feature is built into most directory scripts I've seen and I don't know why someone wouldn't send a decline email.

That's what makes me wonder if some directory owners do it on pourpose to increase backlinks to their site. Lots of blog makers probably don't check their recips. Just wondering if this is a strategy some directory owners use.

I don't want to name any sites, but I have submitted several blogs to a few big directories and waited weeks with no email responses accepted or declined. Checked those sites and see regular updates, so I know they are being updated, so I assume mine were declined.

As long as things don't go the tgp path where people can not link you but you aren't allowed to take their recip down.

One thing I've noticed, it seems 99.9% or reject e-mails never get read or least no reply, or if they even make it to the submitter, nor is it the submitter changing what is wrong. Course those are probably the multi submitters/cheaters anyways. But it's all most like it's a waste of time, dont have enough time in the day as it is. Of course this sucks for those that do what the feedback, or want to know.

Why not ask those that did'nt list you? Or if they post on a message board, send them a PM?

ronnie

I agree with you ronnie when it comes to regular free sites but on my link list where I also accept blogs it seems like the blogging crowd are actually reading the comments I send them on an acceptance/decline notice.

I found this to be true when I was sending out rejects on my tgp, until I finally put a subject heading that kind of popped out a little more and then I got crazy webmasters complaining to me....so |waves| buh bye rejection emails...they're just not worth it.

Snap. I do take the time if I recognise the submitter from the boards I use though.

I agree, if I know the person, I will let them know, although most people, say from the board, know what they are doing, usually. It is very possible the blogging crowd is different, I did'nt think about it. Makes sense, a blog is usually more of a growing site rather than a submit and forget free site.

ronnie

Yeah if I know the person I'll just contact them or if it's a small offense I'll just list it and let it slide. It's just the open submit forms get really crowded and there's some serious loons around.