A Search Engine Watch Forums member asks how long a typical DMOZ submission takes to get approved.
The answer is: it's incredibly unpredictable.
Since DMOZ is a volunteer project and the editors are taking time to review sites, it can take anywhere from "minutes to a few years," according to forum member Birdie.
AussieWebmaster adds:
Is their an editor for the category you submitted to? if no then it could take a real long time. You could apply for the job.
That's right. If there isn't an editor, you might be waiting a very long time.
Forum discussion continues at Search Engine Watch Forums.

Comments:
sajal kayan
01/08/2008 02:41 pm
based on personal experience it takes forever to get into it. In the mean time ive heard bad stories about Dmoz Extortion and tend to kinda believe them(no experience here).
Craig
01/08/2008 03:00 pm
in my experience, anywhere between three weeks and never! I've often had acceptances in categories without an editor, I sometimes think this is dependent on how niche it is (i.e. does a parent category have an editor?)
Jeff
01/08/2008 04:18 pm
Is DMOZ even worth it then? IS there anyway to check on status?
Karen
01/08/2008 05:59 pm
Some editors can edit anywhere, so even when submitting to an empty category you can get lucky - if that editor just happens to pass by to boost a site a friend made. They just may accept other sites as well in one go. Is it worth it - it's still a trusted link that gets copied all over the internet. It's not really going to get you traffic like wikipedia does, but then most links don't.
Anthony a.k.a. OldSchool
01/09/2008 04:50 am
At one time, it was worth it, but DMOZ is so poorly run that most SEO professionals that I know have just ignored it. An I am still amazed that Google has them as a partner with all of the junk sites and outdated stuff in there.
Tom
01/09/2008 09:04 am
This must be down to availbale editors I submitted my site to a particular category and nothing happened for 6 months, I submitted it to an alternative category before Christmas and my listings now appeared. My advise would be to chose a category that looks busy eben if it isn't a direct fit to your business - have a think about where else you may fit for example where are you based rather than what you do / provide. Thx, Tom
Rosie
01/09/2008 09:46 am
We still submit to Dmoz on behalf of all of our clients but are rarely getting results these days. It used to be incredibly frustrating but we are resigned to it now. Luckily it is far less of the link popularity mix than it used to be.
Arnie
01/09/2008 04:30 pm
It take such little effort that we always submit to DMOZ for our clients. But for the past year, I do not think we have had a single listing approved. I totally agree... wish Google would just drop the whole concept.
BBQGrant
01/10/2008 08:29 pm
There was a great post on the DMOZ Blog about this very topic. http://blog.dmoz.org/2007/10/08/why-hasnt-my-site-been-accepted-into-dmoz/ Submissions are treated as valuable suggested sites to consider, but the value of DMOZ/ODP is that we do not accept every submission. In fact, we select very few. And for that reason, the major search engines and 1000s of vertical search engines rely on and appreciate our links. Also, the extortion claims are baseless. Especially those coming from a source like Shoemonkey.com. Who was recently booted from the Yahoo Affiliate program b/c 65% of the customers he sent were paying with illegal credit cards. http://www.pagetrafficblog.com/mybloglog-bans-shoemoney-suffers-boycott/1380/ If you have no experience with DMOZ...please don't believe everything you read.
Alicia
01/15/2008 12:06 am
After waiting for over 2 years for them to add my listing - I have given up. I don't think it just has to do with the site's quality as I ahve seen some very outdated websites int he directory and my website is a very well designed resource website. I agree totally wish Google would drop it!
No Name
03/29/2008 10:19 pm
You have to add it continuosly I think if you don't get accepted initially - improve your site, add content and gain some backlinks etc. then try again perhaps after 3 months or so. That's my only suggestion but... I don't have experience with it. I've been waiting around 2 weeks now but I don't count on anything.
frank
05/03/2008 02:45 pm
indeed,it's incredibly unpredictable to get into dmoz.
No Name
08/22/2008 01:26 am
I have never had any joy with this outdated dinosaur, I have tried the catagories that have few listings thinking that would be better than highly competitive areas, maybe I will try the popoular cats.
Josh
02/07/2009 08:56 pm
I listed my site a year ago and still nothing. I think its a very unfair system how they don't even respond to tell you whats your status.
Val
02/20/2009 10:15 am
Hi, What if we submit a website 3 weeks after the first submission? Will they consider it sort of SPAM? or could that be a way to get it reviewed? Thankc
No Name
04/10/2009 11:06 pm
i submited my site 3 months ago still no joy
Kawika
09/07/2009 06:13 pm
I submitted to DMOZ probably 6+ months ago. Still waiting for it to show up.
Jason
01/18/2010 05:52 pm
i submitted my site back 9 months ago with no luck yet
carlton
03/16/2010 04:06 am
Oh, we can't disturb the delicate DMOZ geniuses, can we now?? ;-)
Alice Huntly
05/04/2010 05:40 am
I think that the folk at DMOZ are incredibly rude and concieted, if you submit your site it would be nice at least to get an e-mail saying they have received your submission and it is waiting for review I understand they don't bother to let you know if they have not accepted your site. They claim they are short of editors, I have personally applied to be an editor and I have read on forums that others have also and they declined my application. What I recieved was a list of about 12 posssible reasons that I may have been rejected. I worked for the Government for long enough to smell corruption.
POPATAPPLE
02/02/2011 01:21 pm
HOW MUCH DID U GOT PAID TO POST THIS COMMENT?
Sound Bite Radio
03/30/2011 04:55 am
the people over at dmoz are ridiculous. why would it have to take years for a link to show. just sign on people for the job. www.soundbiteradio.com www.surpriseme.tv
Phillip
05/19/2011 03:55 pm
I submitted my first site 13 years ago and have never had success, despite following the guidelines to a 'T' and producing high quality content. No spam, no gimmicks, etc. And as for applying to be an editor......you must have to belong to a particular fraternity or something. My site is well respected among readers and peers: The Wild East Online Magazine
Phillip
05/19/2011 04:07 pm
No. That would definitely be considered spam. Even if you re-submitted 6 months or a year later, it would cause the DMOZ oligarchy to foam at the mouth, go into spasms, and damn you and your site to the deepest pit of DMOZ hell. But you won't know about it. They will give you the courtesy of an email. They are more secretive than the most secret of secret societies.
Phillip
05/19/2011 04:08 pm
Correction: They will NEVER give you the courtesy of an email or any other kind of courtesy.
Zzcv20051122
05/21/2011 06:18 am
that's funny-_-||
Phillip
05/21/2011 07:10 am
It's not funny, Mr No-name. It's a tradgedy that search engines give weight to this inappropriate, unprofessional, and undemocratic index.
Scott412
06/06/2011 11:09 pm
I submitted my site to DMOZ months ago. I think they said it could take 6 months or more depending on various factors. It seems like having a listing there carries a lot of weight from an SEO point of view. I wish they had a better system, or the option to pay for a speedier process. PC Gaming Accessories
Marcus Cagle
07/22/2011 06:21 am
it took me 5 months but i finally got accepted to be an editor.
Teencancer
09/05/2011 09:40 pm
I know it does take a long time. I posted it 6 months ago and nothing. It is a Teen Cancer website and I have seen some other websites in there that are not particularly easy on the eyes, with respect. I have resubmitted today. I believe that there maybe a shortage of editors with my particular area.
Andrew
09/17/2011 02:27 am
It can take a long, long, long time. Don't hold your breath.
Bay Area
12/29/2011 05:35 am
DMOZ is run by self absorbed pos people. Their decisions are arbitrary and contrary to what they claim, they don't give a sheit to quality. I have seen "created by an eight year old" sites in there. On the brighter side, google doesn't value them as much as it used to in the past. I have tried many different search combinations.... dmoz listings came up at the 4th page or later.
Avanti
01/03/2013 06:31 pm
I submitted my site and became placed on the directory in about a month. This is the site. Www.avantinaturalstore.com. I did it with Wordpress.