FAQ - Dmoz/Regional/North_America/United_States/Localities

Archive-name:dmoz.org/Regional/North_America/United_States/Localities
Posting-Frequency:none
Last-modified:2002-12-11 08:50:25
URL:http://dmoz.org/Regional/North_America/United_States/Localities/faq.html
Category:Regional/North_America/United_States/Localities

Table of Contents

1  Topical subcategories for Regional categories
2  Geographic categories
     2.1  Locality
     2.2  County
     2.3  Borough
     2.4  Parish
     2.5  Metro Area
     2.6  State Region
     2.7  State
     2.8  National Region
3  Listings when a business or organization has multiple locations.
4  Listing Businesses by Office Location vs. by Service Area
     4.1  Bands and disc jockeys
     4.2  Contractors
     4.3  Home health aides
     4.4  Internet service providers
     4.5  Limousines
     4.6  Newspapers and magazines
     4.7  Radio and television stations
     4.8  Utilities
     4.9  Organizations
     4.10  Government
5  More Site Submission Basics for Regional Categories

1   Topical subcategories for Regional categories
The basic topical subcategories are listed below. Further information about each one is located at its link.
Arts and Entertainment
Business and Economy
Education
Government
Guides and Directories
Health
Maps and Views
News and Media
Recreation and Sports
Science and Environment
Society and Culture
Transportation
Travel and Tourism
Weather

2   Geographic categories
The Regional section of the Open Directory Project classifies geographic locations according to the following list:
2.1   Locality
A locality is a city, town, or community. A locality category is for websites specific to that locality. Websites specific to a larger geographic area should be listed in the appropriate County (or equivalent), Metro Area, or larger-area category.
2.2   County
A county category is for websites specific to that county or to more than one locality within it. Websites specific to a larger geographic area are listed in the appropriate Metro Area, Regions, or larger-area category. Sites specific to single locality within a county are listed in the appropriate Locality category.
2.3   Borough
The state of Alaska divides areas into boroughs. A borough category is for websites specific to that borough or to more than one locality within it. Websites specific to a larger geographic area are listed in the appropriate Metro Area, Regions, or larger-area category. Sites specific to single locality within a borough are listed in the appropriate Locality category.
2.4   Parish
The state of Louisiana divides areas into parishes. A parish category is for websites specific to that Parish or to more than one locality within it. Websites specific to a larger geographic area are listed in the appropriate Metro Area, Regions, or larger-area category. Sites specific to single locality within a parish are listed in the appropriate Locality category.
2.5   Metro Area
In most cases, the term metro area in this Directory refers to the geographic area covered by a specified list of counties. A metro area category is for websites specific to that area or to more than one of the smaller areas within it. Websites specific to a larger geographic area should be listed in the appropriate Regions, State, or larger-area category. Sites specific to a more limited area within a metro area are listed in the category specific to their area.
2.6   State Region
A state region category is for websites specific to that region of that state or to more than one of the component areas within it. Websites specific to a larger geographic area should be listed in the appropriate larger-area category. Sites specific to a more limited area within a state are listed in the category specific to their area.
2.7   State
A state category is for websites specific to that entire state or to more than one region within it. Websites specific to a larger geographic area should be listed in the appropriate larger-area category. Sites specific to a more limited area within a state are listed in the category specific to their area.
2.8   National Region
A national region category is for websites specific to that entire regional area or to more than one state within it. Websites specific to a larger geographic area should be listed in the appropriate larger-area category. Sites specific to a more limited area are listed in the category specific to their area.

3   Listings when a business or organization has multiple locations.
Occasionally, when a business or organization has locations in only 2 localities, we list the site separately in each locality. But more commonly, we list the site only once, in a wider-area category. For information about the name and contents for each level of geographic categories, see Geographic Categories.

Here are the general rules we use:
  1. If there are locations in more than one city in the same county, metro area or region, we list it in the appropriate county, metro area or region category.
  2. If there are locations in more than two cities in the same state, but different regions, we list it in the state category.
  3. If there are locations in more than two cities in the same region of the country, but different states, we list it in the region category.
  4. If there are locations in more than two cities across the same country, but in different states, we list it in the country category.

4   Listing Businesses by Office Location vs. by Service Area
Most busineses are listed according to their business address(es). Certain types of "come to you" businesses, who do their business at the customer's location, may be listed by service area, as specified on their websites either in words or by a map.

Currently in the ODP, different editors use somewhat different approaches. There is no one hard-and-fast rule about which sites to list by service area. In addition, even editors who ususally follow one method may make exceptions where it makes sense to them to do so.

For information about the name and contents for each level of geographic categories, see Geographic Categories.

Here is some general information about how certain types of sites are frequently handled.
4.1   Bands and disc jockeys
Normally listed at a county or metro area level, although they may be listed in wider-area category if there is evidence that they frequently serve the wider area.

4.2   Contractors
Although the construction trades "come to you," they are typically listed according to their office location.

4.3   Home health aides
Many editors will list sites such as home visiting nurse agencies at the county, metro, or region level, according to the apparent area served.

4.4   Internet service providers
Some editors list ISPs by service area, but others list them in the locality of their office location.

4.5   Limousines
These companies are typically listed according to the area they typically serve.

4.6   Newspapers and magazines
Some editors list ones with a specific regional focus according to the area they primarily serve. Other editors list them according to the physical location of their office(s). There is no universally accepted way of handling these sites.

4.7   Radio and television stations
These businesses are typically listed according to the area they primarily serve.

4.8   Utilities
Providers of gas, electricity, water, and cable services are typically listed according to the area they primarily serve.

4.9   Organizations
Trade associations, chambers of commerce, social clubs, social service providers, and similar entities are routinely listed according to the area they serve.

4.10   Government
Governments and government agencies are listed according to the area of their authority.

5   More Site Submission Basics for Regional Categories
In addition to the material found in the basic submission notice, submitters should find the following material helpful:
  1. Most sites belong at the locality level, based on their physical address. Think carefully before submitting to any wider-area category, or to any locality other than the one where you are physically located. Do not, for instance, submit to a wider-area category just because most of your customers come from a wider area than your locality.
    These links show localities for various countries:
    France
    Italy
    Norway
    United Kingdom
    United States (arranged by state)
    Yugoslavia
    Additional information is available in the Category Description.
  2. To improve the chance that your submission will be accepted with the wording you propose, take time to write a title and description consistent with Directory guidelines. To summarize:
    • The submitted title for a business or organization website should be the entity's official name.
    • Descriptions should be factual and free of hype or promotional language.
    • Use phrases and sentences, not lists of keywords.
    • Don't repeat the name of the title in the description.
    • Don't Capitalize Every Word. Avoid ALL CAPS.
    • Don't use ampersands (&) or exclamation marks (!). Don't use abbreviations or slang.
    • Describe the types of information found on the site, as well as the subject of the site.
    • Compare existing listings for best results.
  3. Remember that submitting to an incorrect category can greatly delay the consideration of your submission. Submitting the same site to many categories is frowned upon and can result in a submission being rejected altogether.

Help build the largest human-edited directory of the web!
Open Directory Home:http://dmoz.org/
About the Open Directory:http://dmoz.org/about.html
This FAQ:http://dmoz.org/Regional/North_America/United_States/Localities/faq.html
Open Directory Category:Regional/North_America/United_States/Localities

    Copyright © 1998-2002 Netscape     Terms of Use