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License and requirements
ODP data is made available for open content distribution under the terms of the Open Directory License, which
requires a specific ODP attribution table on every Web page that uses the data.
The Open Directory License also includes a requirement that users of the data continually check the ODP site for
updates and discontinue use and distribution of the data or works derived from the data once an update occurs. This
restriction prompted the Free Software Foundation to refer to the Open Directory License as a non-free
documentation license, citing the right to redistribute a given version not being permanent and the requirement to
check for changes to the license.[20]RDF dumps
ODP data is made available through an RDF-like dump that is published on a dedicated download server, where an
archive of previous versions is also available.[21] New versions are usually generated weekly. An ODP editor has
catalogued a number of bugs that are/were encountered when implementing the ODP RDF dump, including UTF-8
encoding errors (fixed since August 2004) and an RDF format that does not comply with the final RDF specification
because ODP RDF generation was implemented before the RDF specification was finalized.[22] So while today the
so-called RDF dump is valid XML, it is not strictly RDF but an ODP-specific format and as such, software to
process the ODP RDF dump needs to take account of this.Content users
ODP data powers the core directory services for many of the Web's largest search engines and portals, including
Netscape Search, AOL Search, and Alexa. Google Directory used ODP information, until being shuttered in July
2011.[23]
Other uses are also made of ODP data. For example, in the spring of 2004 Overture announced a search service for
third parties combining Yahoo! Directory search results with ODP titles, descriptions and category metadata. The
search engine Gigablast announced on May 12, 2005 its searchable copy of the Open Directory. The technology
permits search of websites listed in specific categories, "in effect, instantly creating over 500,000 vertical search
engines".[24]
As of 8 September 2006, the ODP listed 313 English-language Web sites that use ODP data as well as 238 sites in
other languages.[25] However, these figures do not reflect the full picture of use, as those sites that use ODP data
without following the terms of the ODP license are not listed.Policies and procedures
There are restrictions imposed on who can become an ODP editor. The primary gatekeeping mechanism is an editor
application process wherein editor candidates demonstrate their editing abilities, disclose affiliations that might pose
a conflict of interest and otherwise give a sense of how the applicant would likely mesh with the ODP culture and
mission.[26] A majority of applications are rejected but reapplying is allowed and sometimes encouraged. The same
standards apply to editors of all categories and subcategories.
ODP's editing model is a hierarchical one. Upon becoming editors, individuals will generally have editing
permissions in only a small category. Once they have demonstrated basic editing skills in compliance with the
Editing Guidelines, they are welcome to apply for additional editing privileges in either a broader category or in a
category elsewhere in the directory. Mentorship relationships between editors are encouraged and internal forums
provide a vehicle for new editors to ask questions.
ODP has its own internal forums, the contents of which are intended only for editors to communicate with each other
primarily about editing topics. Access to the forums requires an editor account and editors are expected to keep the
contents of these forums private.[27]