Blacklisted!

[MrYum]

Originally Posted by Braindead

Okay we're agreed my sites stink, I have taken your advice again and looked at a couple of hundred "within the rules?" free sites on the Greenguy list. 200pixals on thumbs, don't apply, 24pics rule, don't apply, all recips on warning page, don't apply, full page ad rule, don't apply. 3 pages in a row IE cannot open page.
I looked as the punter and saw what I have always seen, hundreds of copies of the same website.
I have tried to make the sites different to page after page of the same thing, clearly this does not work so its back to the drawing board.
One thing I would ask, does this "Blacklist" business carry any weight, or should I not ask?
Your very own
Braindead
By the way, Greenguy makes no mention of subdomains in his very clear rule list.

Nah...wouldn't say your sites stink at all. They just need some work to fit within the parameters of what's an acceptable free site...that's all

Besides, you wouldn't believe some of the stuff that hits my review screen every day...your sites don't stink, but I've seen many that do!

As to Greenies site, sounds like you may have been looking at listings that were approved before he changed some of his rules a few months ago.

The sub-domain thing has gotten so commonly known in the business, that many don't specifically list it any more on the rules page.

The blacklist you mentioned probably only carries weight with that particular site, and possibly any other sites he happens to own. So, doubtful you have much to worry about there...except with that one list owner.

As to making something different, it's not that it's a bad idea to think outside the box. Actually, it can be a damn fine idea on your own internal sites. But with free sites, there are certain parameters that need to be followed to maintain some continuity. Otherwise, it'd be chaos...absolutely CHAOS I tells ya!

Seriously, your sites aren't that far off the mark.

Use folders instead of subdomains.
Clean up the metas.
The pages are too fat due to the graphics.
Clean up the content.
Make sure all text is clearly visible on the pages (good idea from a sales standpoint too )
Preview in both IE and FF.

Submit it

Again, you're not alone at all man...these are very common issues with someone new to free sites. My old sites are downright scary