Reach more directories

What you'll buildCopy Anchor Link

A project that reaches as many of its 100 directories as it can. Before the launch you raise the number the preview shows; after it, you add directories from the places in the allowance that free up.

Before you startCopy Anchor Link

• A project, a draft or launched: see Onboard a client's product.
• What your client can offer: the products theirs is an alternative to, a discount code, and the badge on their site.

1. Read what would unlock moreCopy Anchor Link

The readiness preview lists the changes that would add directories, most directories first, and the directories that do not take this kind of product.

curl https://api.submitator.com/v1/projects/prj_4QzX1m9Lr2Vb7Nc8Tk3HwP/readiness \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $SUBMITATOR_API_KEY"

{
  "object": "readiness",
  "directories": { "selected": 87, "limit": 100, "top_domain_rating": 92, "median_domain_rating": 48 },
  "unlocks": [
    { "requirement": "badge", "directories": 9, "how": "Install the badge on https://ledgerly.test and verify it." },
    { "requirement": "competitors", "directories": 3, "how": "Add at least 1 competitor in competitors." },
    { "requirement": "promo_code", "directories": 1, "how": "Add a promo code in promo_code." }
  ],
  "not_matching": { "b2b_only": 4, "ai_only": 7, "directories_only": 2, "other": 0 }
}

unlocks[].requirement is an open list: show how for a value you do not know. not_matching.other counts directories that no field of the project changes.

2. Add competitors and a promo codeCopy Anchor Link

Some directories list a product only next to its competitors, and some only with a discount for their readers. Both are fields of the project.

curl -X PATCH https://api.submitator.com/v1/projects/prj_4QzX1m9Lr2Vb7Nc8Tk3HwP \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $SUBMITATOR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"competitors": [{"name": "Bookwell", "url": "https://bookwell.test"}], "promo_code": "LEDGER30", "promo_description": "30% off the first 3 months"}'

A project takes up to 20 competitors, each a name of up to 100 characters and a URL of up to 500. Sending competitors replaces the whole list, so send every one each time.

3. Check the audience marksCopy Anchor Link

audience has 3 marks: b2b for a product that sells to businesses, ai for one built around AI, and directory for one that is itself a list of products. Each mark opens the directories that take only that kind of product, which not_matching counts.

curl -X PATCH https://api.submitator.com/v1/projects/prj_4QzX1m9Lr2Vb7Nc8Tk3HwP \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $SUBMITATOR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"audience": {"b2b": true, "ai": false, "directory": false}}'

Set a mark only when it is true for the product: those directories review what they list. Send all 3 marks each time, since audience replaces the whole object.

4. Browse the catalogCopy Anchor Link

GET /directories is the catalog a launch picks from, highest Domain Rating first. Filter it by topic, min_dr, requires or audience, or search names with q.

curl "https://api.submitator.com/v1/directories?requires=none&min_dr=50&limit=50" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $SUBMITATOR_API_KEY"

{
  "object": "directory",
  "id": "dir_2Lm8Wq3Zk7Rt1Xc5Vb9NdF",
  "name": "BetaList",
  "url": "https://betalist.com",
  "domain_rating": 73,
  "topic": "startups",
  "backlink": "dofollow",
  "requires": [],
  "audience": []
}

Before your first purchase, test keys see the top 20 directories only. Use a directory's id in include, exclude and excluded_directories.

5. Add directories after the launchCopy Anchor Link

The allowance counts what a launch covers: 100 places, used by listings that reached their directory and reserved by those on their way. A listing that ends not_accepted or cancelled gives its place back, and POST /projects/{project_id}/listings fills available places.

curl https://api.submitator.com/v1/projects/prj_4QzX1m9Lr2Vb7Nc8Tk3HwP/listings \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $SUBMITATOR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Idempotency-Key: crm_8812-add-1" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"directories": "auto"}'

{
  "object": "project",
  "id": "prj_4QzX1m9Lr2Vb7Nc8Tk3HwP",
  "status": "in_progress",
  "allowance": { "total": 100, "used": 53, "reserved": 39, "available": 8 },
  "progress": { "total": 96, "pending": 9, "in_progress": 30, "action_required": 0, "submitted": 31, "live": 22, "not_accepted": 3, "cancelled": 1 }
}

On a launched project, the readiness preview shows what this call would add. To add one directory you chose, send {"directories": {"include": ["dir_3Vb8Qm2Xk6Lt9Wr4Nc1ZpG"]}}.

6. Let auto-replace do it, or notCopy Anchor Link

auto_replace is on for new projects. It adds fitting directories from the free allowance for you: after a listing ends not_accepted or cancelled, after the badge passes verification, and when a new directory joins the catalog.

To keep a directory out of every launch, add and auto-replace, list it in excluded_directories. A launch with include turns auto_replace off unless the launch sends "auto_replace": true.

Check it workedCopy Anchor Link

• GET /projects/prj_4QzX1m9Lr2Vb7Nc8Tk3HwP/readiness shows a higher directories.selected, or fewer unlocks.
• After the launch, allowance.available falls as directories are added, and progress.total grows.
• Each addition sends a project.listings_added event with the count in data.listings_added.

What can go wrongCopy Anchor Link

Next stepsCopy Anchor Link

• Install the badge: the unlock that often adds the most directories.
• Launch and track: spend the launch and follow the listings.
• Directories: the catalog's filters in full.