Glossary
What is editorial review on a directory?
Editorial review is a directory's process of checking each submission by hand before publishing it: does the product work, does it fit the category, is the listing complete and honest. Directories with editorial review are worth more to readers and search engines, because they reject spam and thin products.
What reviewers check
- The site loads, works and matches the listing.
- The product fits the directory's niche and category.
- Required fields are filled with real content: screenshots of the product, not stock images.
- The description is accurate and not copied from elsewhere.
- Conditions are met, such as a badge on your site.
Why it matters
A directory that publishes everything fills with spam, loses readers and becomes a link farm. Editorial review is what keeps a directory useful, and it's why Google treats editorially given links differently from links anyone can create. It also explains why the same submission gets approved in one place and rejected in another.
How to pass
Submit a finished product, fill every field, write for that audience, and read the guidelines before you submit. If you're rejected, the reason is usually in the email; fix it and resubmit. See why directory submissions get rejected.
Example
A founder submits the same tool to two directories. One publishes it within a minute; the other rejects it because the pricing page returns a 404. She fixes the page, resubmits and is approved. The reviewed directory's listing later sends more visitors than the instant one, whose pages are full of abandoned products.
FAQ
How long does editorial review take?
Hours to a few weeks, depending on the directory's queue.
Can I appeal a rejection?
Most directories let you reply to the rejection email or resubmit after fixing the issue.
Is a directory without review bad?
Not always, but it's more likely to be full of spam, which lowers the value of a listing there.