The Regional section is arranged by geographic area. Within geographic areas, sites are arranged by topic. The Regional Guidelines provide the ground rules for this section of the Open Directory.
Geographic area
Geographic categories range from the largest, a continent; down to the smallest, a locality. See Geographic categories. Most Regional sites are listed according to the physical location(s) of the site's subject. Others are listed according to the geographic focusof the site, such as directories, membership organizations, governmental bodies, service agencies, businesses located in multiple areas, and those few types of business listed by service area.
Businesses or organizations with multiple physical locations are placed in the smallest geographic category needed to encompass all of their locations. See listings for multiple locations. A few types of sites are listed according to service area rather than physical location. See listing by service area. In certain circumstances, business and organizations are listed in a country-wide Regional category as well as a more localized Regional category. This is done only in non-US countries.
Topics
At any one time, a category may not have listings for all the topics that would be appropriate for it. For details about topics, and how they are arranged into subcategories, see Topical subcategories.
English Language
All sites in the Regional section must be in the English language. For sites in other languages, see the World section. Multilingual sites with English as one of the languages may be listed in both the Regional section and the World section.
In the Regional section, websites are listed in the most specific appropriate geographic area. This means that each larger-area category contains sites that are specific either to that entire area or to more than one of the smaller areas within it.
For example, the website of a restaurant with locations in several different cities, but all in the same County, will be listed in the County category, and not in each individual city category.
The geographic categories are based on the following list:
Continent
Country
Country Region
State, Province, Dependent Area, Department, or equivalent
State (or equivalent) Region
Metro Area
County, Borough, Parish, or equivalent
Locality (a city, town, or community)
Most sites are found in a Locality category.
Note: Within some Localities categories, there are Neighborhoods categories. Neighborhoods categories are an exception to the general structure, because they do not include all sites specific to their area. Instead, they include only sites about the neighborhood itself, such as historical information, published articles about the neighborhood, and community groups.
Special case: In the United Kingdom, sites are listed by topic in national-level categories in addition to their listing in the most specific geographic category.
Topical subcategories within geographic categories
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Websites are listed in topical subcategories according to their primary subject matter.
In addition to websites, these categories frequently contain links to other categories. Typically these links take the user to comparable categories at the next-larger or next-smaller geographic level. At other times they take the user to related areas of the same geographic category, or to other areas of the Open Directory.
Since listings are placed at the smallest appropriate geographic level, categories for large geographic areas often contain few, if any, listings. Instead, those categories function primarily to hold links directing users to more specific categories.
The primary subcategories are listed below. Further information about each one is located at its link.
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.
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:
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.
Contractors - Although the construction trades "come to you," they are typically listed according to their office location.
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.
Internet service providers - Some editors list ISPs by service area, but others list them in the locality of their office location.
Limousines - These companies are typically listed according to the area they primarily serve.
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.
Radio and television stations - These businesses are typically listed according to the area they primarily serve.
Travel - Travel agents and operators are most commonly listed in the locality of their physical presence. Tour operators may also be listed according to focus area of tours offered. The Travel Guidelines contain further information about placement of travel sites.
Utilities - Providers of gas, electricity, water, and cable services are typically listed according to the area they primarily serve.
Organizations - Trade associations, chambers of commerce, social clubs, social service providers, and similar entities are typically listed according to the area they serve.
Governments and government agencies - are listed according to the area of their authority.
In addition to the material found in the basic submission notice, submitters should find the following material helpful:
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:
The relationship of the website to the location must be clear. In most cases, it is preferable if this is shown by an address or local phone number.
For best results, examine existing listings and submit your site where sites similar to yours are listed. 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.
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.
Observe how existing listings are titled and described.
An Arts and Entertainment category is for information and organizations related to the arts and entertainment of a specific geographic area. It contains websites that are related exclusively to that entire geographic area or to more than one of the smaller geographic areas within it. (See Geographic categories.) For information applicable to all topical subcategories, see Topical subcategories.
Topics include architecture, art, dance, music, photography, theater, performing arts venues, museums, galleries, libraries, movies, and cultural events.
Quite often most, or even all, of the sites in a category are those of individual businesses or institutions. Yet these categories are also appropriate for related sites, such as educational programs, professional and trade organizations, and media articles profiling an industry.
Please note that the websites of some businesses related to arts and entertainment are listed elsewhere. When the technical or commercial aspect is seen to overshadow the creative side, as with recording studios, production companies, and stores selling recorded music or cameras, the sites are listed in the Business and Economy category instead of the Arts and Entertainment category.
Subcategories of this category
Subcategories may be created when there are enough sites about a topic to make a separate subcategory desirable. Until then, the sites are listed in the main category.
Common subcategories include:
Architecture Artists and Galleries Clubs and Venues Dance Events Libraries
Museums Music --Bands and Artists --DJs Photography Theater
Contents for most of these is apparent from their titles. What follows are notes to clarify a few areas where we thought the title itself was insufficient:
Architecture - For sites about the area's architecture, not about the area's architectural firms. Architectural firms are listed in the Business and Economy category (in the sub-category, when available, titled Construction and Maintenance: Architects).
Artists and Galleries - Does include art-selling venues such as regular weekend art shows in public parks.
Clubs and Venues - Includes all venues catering to the performing arts -- from concert halls, to coffee houses, to clubs and bars specializing in live entertainment.
Libraries - Includes public and private libraries. It includes those of colleges and universities, but not those of elementary and secondary schools.
Museums - Includes museums devoted to a broad range of subjects, including history, science, technology, and nature, as well as arts and culture.
Bands and Artists - The band and musical artists must be actively performing. Providers of these services are listed geographically in the category that best fits their primary service area.
DJs - Includes karaoke jockeys. Providers of these services are listed geographically in the category that best fits their primary service area.
A Business and Economy category is for businesses and economic activities in a specific geographic area. It contains websites that are related exclusively to that entire geographic area or to more than one of the smaller geographic areas within it. (See Geographic categories.)
Most business topics are listed here. However, some types of businesses are located under other categories, such as the Arts and Entertainment, Recreation and Sports, and Travel and Tourism categories. If you are looking for a business related to one of our other listed topics, check there. For information applicable to all topical subcategories, see Topical subcategories.
Quite often most, or even all, of the sites in a category are those of individual businesses or institutions. Yet these categories are also appropriate for related sites, such as professional and trade organizations, and media articles profiling specific industries.
Subcategories of this category
Subcategories may be created when there are enough sites about a topic to make a separate subcategory desirable. Until then, the sites are listed in the main category.
Common subcategories include:
Advertising and Marketing Animals Automotive Beauty and Cosmetic Services Computers and Internet Construction and Maintenance Directories Employment Event Planning Financial Services
Home and Garden Legal Services Marine Sales and Service Organizations Printing Public Utilities Real Estate (or the British version, Property) Restaurants and Bars Services Shopping
Contents for most of these is apparent from their titles. What follows are notes to clarify a few areas where we thought the title itself was insufficient:
Advertising and Marketing - Includes agencies, consultants, services, and signage companies, but does not include photography and video production. Photography sites are listed in the Arts and Entertainment category. Video production sites are listed in the Business and Economy category (in the subcategory, when available, titled Industries: Entertainment: Audio and Video Production).
Agriculture - For sites about the business of agriculture. A "Business and Economy: Agriculture" category is not to be confused with a "Science and Environment: Agriculture" category, which is for sites about the science and techniques of agriculture.
Animals - Topics include breeders, kennels, livestock, pets, and veterinary services. Sites about animal welfare and animal shelters are not listed here, but are listed instead in the Society and Culture category (in the subcategory, when available, titled Animal Welfare).
Beauty and Cosmetic Services - For websites about businesses whose primary focus is non-medical health and beauty services. Topics include beauty salons, make-up artists, tattoo studios, health spas, and massage therapists.
Construction and Maintenance - Topics include architects, builders, janitorial services, and specialists in heating, air conditioning, and plumbing. Sites related to interior design and landscaping are not listed here, but are listed instead in the Business and Economy category (in the subcategory, when available, titled Home and Garden).
Marine Sales and Services - Includes boat dealers, yacht brokers, marinas, and sellers of marine parts, accessories, and services. Businesses renting and chartering boats are listed in the Recreation and Sports category.
Organizations - For groups promoting business in the area. Please note that a specific industry trade organization is often listed in the category for its industry.
Services - For types of services not covered in other categories. Examples include appliance repair, child care, house-sitting, errand-running, piano tuning, and language translations.
Shopping - For brick-and-mortar retail stores in the area. In addition, for countries other than the United States, a country-level category may also contain distance-shopping sites if the prices are quoted in the local currency and the products are shipped from that country.
An Education category is for information and organizations related to education in a specific geographic area. It contains websites that are related exclusively to that entire geographic area or to more than one of the smaller geographic areas within it. (See Geographic categories.) For information applicable to all topical subcategories, see Topical subcategories.
Topics include educational institutions, programs, opportunities, and resources. Alumni and reunion groups are also listed here. Please note that websites about dance and music education are not listed here, but are listed instead in the Arts and Entertainment category. Also note that websites about martial arts education are not listed here, but are listed instead in the Recreation and Sports category.
Quite often most, or even all, of the sites in a category are those of individual educational institutions. Yet these categories are also appropriate for related sites, such as professional and trade organizations, and media articles profiling the field.
Subcategories of this category
Subcategories may be created when there are enough sites about a topic to make a separate subcategory desirable. Until then, the sites are listed in the main category.
Common subcategories include:
Colleges and Universities Home Schooling K-12 Primary Schools Resources for Educators
Reunions and Alumni School Districts Secondary Schools Specialized Instruction Vocational and Technical
Contents for most of these is apparent from their titles. What follows are notes to clarify a few areas where we thought the title itself was insufficient:
Specialized Instruction - Topics include driver's training, adult education programs, intensive foreign language schools, and programs offering instruction outside the traditional classroom.
Vocational and Technical - For educational programs that are specifically career-related.
A Government category is for websites about governmental activities in a specific geographic area. It contains websites that are related exclusively to that entire geographic area or to more than one of the smaller geographic areas within it. (See Geographic categories.) For information applicable to all topical subcategories, see Topical subcategories.
Topics include not only legislative, executive, and judicial bodies, but law, law enforcement, taxes, embassies, consulates, and military institutions.
Please note that websites about politics, political candidates, and political campaigns are not listed here, but are listed instead in the Society and Culture category.
Subcategories of this category
Subcategories may be created when there are enough sites about a topic to make a separate subcategory desirable. Until then, the sites are listed in the main category.
A Guides and Directories category is for online guides and directories offering a wide variety of information about an area. It contains websites that are related exclusively to that entire geographic area or to more than one of the smaller geographic areas within it. (See Geographic categories.) For information applicable to all topical subcategories, see Topical subcategories.
Please note that dining guides are not listed here, but are listed instead under Business and Economy: Restaurants and Bars. Similarly, travel guides are listed under Travel and Tourism, and business directories are listed under Business and Economy.
Subcategories of this category
Subcategories may be created when there are enough sites about a topic to make a separate subcategory desirable. Until then, the sites are listed in the main category.
A Health category is for health-related information and organizations in a specific geographic area. It contains websites that are related exclusively to that entire geographic area or to more than one of the smaller geographic areas within it. (See Geographic categories.) For information applicable to all topical subcategories, see Topical subcategories.
Topics include hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, physicians, dentists, opticians, chiropractors, psychologists, counselors, and providers of alternative medicine services. The category also includes organizations focused on specific conditions and diseases, as well as providers of living accommodations for those with health-related conditions.
Quite often most, or even all, of the sites in a category are those of health practitioners or institutions. Yet these categories are also appropriate for related sites, such as educational programs, professional and trade organizations, and media articles.
Subcategories of this category
Subcategories may be created when there are enough sites about a topic to make a separate subcategory desirable. Until then, the sites are listed in the main category.
Common subcategories include:
Alternative Medicine Assisted Living Associations Chiropractic
Dentistry Hospitals Mental Health Physicians and Clinics
A Maps and Views category is for online maps, photographs, webcam views, and satellite images of a specific geographic area. It contains websites that are related exclusively to that entire geographic area or to more than one of the smaller geographic areas within it. (See Geographic categories.) For information applicable to all topical subcategories, see Topical subcategories.
Subcategories of this category
Subcategories may be created when there are enough sites about a topic to make a separate subcategory desirable. Until then, the sites are listed in the main category.
A News and Media category is for information and organizations related to news and media in a specific geographic area. It contains websites that are related exclusively to that entire geographic area or to more than one of the smaller geographic areas within it. (See Geographic categories.) For information applicable to all topical subcategories, see Topical subcategories.
Topics include newspapers, magazines, e-zines, radio, and television.
Quite often most, or even all, of the sites in a category are those of individual businesses or institutions. Yet these categories are also appropriate for related sites, such as educational programs, professional and trade organizations, and media articles profiling the industry.
Subcategories of this category
Subcategories may be created when there are enough sites about a topic to make a separate subcategory desirable. Until then, the sites are listed in the main category.
A Recreation and Sports category is for information and organizations related to recreation and sports in a specific geographic area. It contains websites that are related exclusively to that entire geographic area or to more than one of the smaller geographic areas within it. (See Geographic categories.) For information applicable to all topical subcategories, see Topical subcategories.
Topics include individual sports, team sports, hobbies, and recreational activities. Please note that sporting goods stores are not listed here, but are listed instead in the Business and Econony catgegory (in the subcategory, when available, titled Shopping: Sporting Goods).
Subcategories of this category
Subcategories may be created when there are enough sites about a topic to make a separate subcategory desirable. Until then, the sites are listed in the main category. Subcategories are named by the specific sport or recreational activity, such as Baseball, Crafts, Fishing, Gambling, Golf, or Scouting.
A Science and Environment category is for information and organizations related to the environment and scientific activities of a specific geographic area. It contains websites that are related exclusively to that entire geographic area or to more than one of the smaller geographic areas within it. (See Geographic categories.) For information applicable to all topical subcategories, see Topical subcategories.
Topics include the natural environment, scientific activities specific to the area, and both professional and amateur scientific organizations.
Subcategories of this category
Subcategories may be created when there are enough sites about a topic to make a separate subcategory desirable. Until then, the sites are listed in the main category.
Common subcategories include:
Agriculture Animal Life Environmental Organizations Forestry
Geology Plant Life Waste and Recycling Water Resources
Contents for most of these is apparent from their titles. What follows are notes to clarify areas where we thought the title itself was insufficient:
Agriculture - For sites about the science and techniques of agriculture in the area. Sites about agricultural businesses are listed in the Business and Economy category.
Forestry - For sites about the science and techniques of forestry in the area. Sites about forestry businesses are listed in the Business and Economy category.
A Society and Culture category is for information and organizations related to the history, culture, and people of a specific geographic area. It contains websites that are related exclusively to that entire geographic area or to more than one of the smaller geographic areas within it. (See Geographic categories.) For information applicable to all topical subcategories, see Topical subcategories.
Topics include social-service organizations, resources, genealogy, history, personal pages, activism, animal welfare, politics, religion, and various sub-groups of the population.
Subcategories of this category
Subcategories may be created when there are enough sites about a topic to make a separate subcategory desirable. Until then, the sites are listed in the main category.
Some of the most common subcategories are:
Animal Welfare Ethnicity Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual History
Transportation (or the British version, Transport)
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General Information
A Transportation category is for information and organizations related to human transportation in a specific geographic area. It contains websites that are related exclusively to that entire geographic area or to more than one of the smaller geographic areas within it. (See Geographic categories.) For information applicable to all topical subcategories, see Topical subcategories.
Topics include airlines, airports, busses, car rentals, taxis, limousines, shuttles, mass transit, railroads, roads, highways, and traffic reports.
Please note that this category does not include sites related to the transportation of cargo. Those sites, including the sites of maritime and trucking companies, are listed in the Business and Economy category (in the subcategory, when available, titled Industries: Transportation).
Quite often most, or even all, of the sites in a category are those of individual businesses or institutions. Yet these categories are also appropriate for related sites, such as professional and trade organizations, and media articles about related topics.
Subcategories of this category
Subcategories may be created when there are enough sites about a topic to make a separate subcategory desirable. Until then, the sites are listed in the main category.
A Travel and Tourism category is for information and organizations related to travel and tourism in a specific geographic area. It contains websites that are related exclusively to that entire geographic area or to more than one of the smaller geographic areas within it. (See Geographic categories.) For information applicable to all topical subcategories, see Topical subcategories.
Topics include attractions, lodging, parks, travel agents, and tour operators.
Quite often most, or even all, of the sites in a category are those of individual businesses or institutions. Yet these categories are also appropriate for related sites, such as professional and trade organizations, guides, and media articles profiling the industry.
Subcategories of this category
Subcategories may be created when there are enough sites about a topic to make a separate subcategory desirable. Until then, the sites are listed in the main category.
Common subcategories include:
Attractions Lodging (or Accommodation) --Bed and Breakfast --Hotels and Motels --Vacation Rentals
Parks Travel Guides Travel Services --Tour Operators --Travel Agents
A Weather category is for information and organizations related to weather in a specific geographic area. It contains websites that are related exclusively to that entire geographic area or to more than one of the smaller geographic areas within it. (See Geographic categories.) For information applicable to all topical subcategories, see Topical subcategories.
Topics include weather conditions, allergy and smog reports, disaster preparedness, hurricanes, and ultraviolet forecasts.
Subcategories of this category
Subcategories may be created when there are enough sites about a topic to make a separate subcategory desirable. Until then, the sites are listed in the main category.