I know many do but is it right?

I don't think there's anything wrong about a host running a hosting directory. But when they list their site at the top of the list and post fake reviews and such then that's a different story.

As long as you can be impartial, it should not be an issue.

EV1Servers used to own this forum and they did not interfere.

Only if they have a professional look and good content. Most of the Host owned directories are really ****** ones - I'm sorry but it';s a fact ....

If they're legit on their directory then why not? It's not like they're not allowed to run one if they're not a host, "Sorry, you're a host, you can't run a webhosting directory." Like think about it people.

If the web host can make a good directory, then why not? Well, they still should be honest though...

I personally don't think it's right, morally.

It's like being the judge at your own trial... sure there's a jury (users), but in the end, the final decision can be over-riden by you (judge/web host/directory owner).

I personaly think the host should not be listed in his own directory simple as that...if not that aleast leave the 'top' spot for some one else..

He's a host though, he should be able to list in his own directory, who cares if he owns it. It's still a directory for EVERYBODY!

True, but there's such a thing as a vested interest.
For instance, if abchost is in fierce competition with 123host, with abchost owning a major directory... is abchost going to be able to stay impartial? or will he/she tip the scales and pull a fast one on the user, like a few directories out there.

If abchost can stay impartial, no matter how bad this could be, commercially for their company, then my answer would be yes, they should be able to run a directory

Its all marketing and business. As long as you don't lie, cheat or steal...everything is fair game.

Funny thing...

On a Local website directory, they didn't wanted to list my website, because they're a web host... And I wanted to advertise (paid advertising) and they didn't wanted. But on their newsletter, they continue advertising for their own service... :P

Originally posted by AffordableHost
Its all marketing and business. As long as you don't lie, cheat or steal...everything is fair game. Precisely.

I see nothing wrong with the owner of a web hosting directory site promoting his own web hosting services, provided that it's out in the open. I didn't see anyone complain about Rackshack running banner ads at WHT when Headsurfer owned this site.

If the owner falsifies testimonials or ranking, that's different. But straight promotion/marketing? That's business.

Vito

Many of you may know that 99% of all rankings sites that are owned by a host or are privately held by an "independant party" are still biased. They get advertising contracts from hosts and then that hosts ratings go up. I've dealt with it before and I am dealing with it now.

This is just how the world works. It's a "what have you done for me lately" mindset and these guys that own this rankings sites don't care how good you are, they care about how much cash you send their way. It's a fact of life.

Before people jump on me, I understand there may be a couple of sites that don't opperate this way.

It's bound to happen, Chad. Nobody is disputing that there are corrupt operators in the business. But the original question is whether web hosts should own web hosting directories. So as stated, provided it's run on the up and up, there's nothing wrong with it.

The challenge is to tell the good guys from the bad guys...

Vito

There's god knows how many directories out there - most of which get no traffic worth talking about anyway - so it's kind of a moot point.

For a host to have a site that actually was used by consumers & then placed themselves in a favorable light without disclosing their relationship to the site would be unethical, although it would just be one example of a long list of consumer miss-information in the market.

If it's just a place for them to be able to run their own ads and generate revenue off other ads - then I don't see any problem with that.