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Information, news and frequently asked questions about ProZ.com

ProZ.com Directory and Maps

1 What is the ProZ.com directory?
2 Is the directory important to me if I want to meet clients?
3 How is placement in the directory determined?
4 How can I move up in the directory?
5 How can I hide my "online today" indicator in the directory?
6 Why am I not appearing and/or found in the directory?
7 Why don't I show up in the appropriate directory?
8 What is the Interpreter World Map?
9 Why don't I see myself on the Interpreter World Map?


1. What is the ProZ.com directory?

The ProZ.com directory is a searchable database of translators, interpreters and companies that are registered at ProZ.com. This directory is the most popular in the translation industry, and represents the primary means that outsourcers use to find translators and interpreters at ProZ.com. See: http://www.proz.com/directory

2. Is the directory important to me if I want to meet clients?

The directory is the leading source of new clients for translators at ProZ.com, and in the translation industry as a whole. While there may be good reason to make a job posting, experienced clients often have a very good idea of the skills, experience and credentials they are looking for in a translator or interpreter, and therefore choose to contac a small number of translators directly, via the directory and profile pages. This allows them to skip the tender phase of a project.

If meeting clients is among your objectives at ProZ.com, be sure your directory entry is complete--with detailed fields of expertise entered!--and that your profile contains a representative tagline. It is also strongly suggested that you use your real name.

3. How is placement in the directory determined?

When a client searches the directory for a translator or interpreter, s/he is presented with two sets of results: the first set consists of (paying) members, and the second set consists of non-paying registrants.

By default, each set of results is ordered by KudoZ points, with the members with higher KudoZ point totals (in the language pair and field searched) placed closer to the top. Members with no KudoZ points are ordered below these, by date of registration.

The default view is not necessarily the view that client will use. Clients are given the option of further filtering and sorting directory results, using such criteria as credentials earned, native languages, years of experience, tools available, geographical location and more.

4. How can I move up in the directory?

When a client searches the directory, results come in two sets. The first set is made up of (paying) members and "jobs"-type partial members; the second set is made up of non-paying registrants.

Each set is ranked by KudoZ points (in the language pair and field searched ), browniz points and registration date (earliest first). Because about half of all site users have no points, earning even a few KudoZ points can significantly boost your standing in the directory.

To maximize your client exposure become a site member, be sure to report your credentials, the CAT tools you use, and other factors. Having a tagline that reflects your specialty (like "25 years of medical translations") rather than a general one (like "high quality") is also very important.

For more information about improving your listing in the freelancer directory, see this howto article.

5. How can I hide my "online today" indicator in the directory?

Indication of whether a member has been online today is shown in each member's directory listing. If you do not want this information to be shown in your directory listing, you can hide it from this page. On that page, click "hide" next to "ProZ.com Online Status". This will also hide your ProZ.com messaging indicator, which shows if you have been online in the past several minutes.

6. Why am I not appearing and/or found in the directory?

To appear in the directory, you must enter at least one language pair and at least one area of specialization. If you have done that, you are in there! Search for your language and specialization, and then page through the results.

Note that only ProZ.com members appear in the first result set. To find those who have not paid for membership, you must first click on the "non members" title. Also be sure you are searching for freelancers or companies, as appropriate. Lastly, please know that if you are a freelancer and you have multiple language pairs in your profile, the directory will only show your first 8 language pairs that are listed in your profile (starting from top to bottom).

7. Why don't I show up in the appropriate directory?

If you are a freelancer who doesn't show up in the freelancer directory, or if you represent a company that doesn't show up in the Company directory, your account type may be set incorrectly in your profile.

To correct this, go to the Edit personal data page from your profile. Set your account type to "Company" or "Freelancer", as appropriate.

8. What is the Interpreter World Map?

The Interpreter World Map is a tool that clients can use to locate interpreters by language pair, field and geographical location. Interpreters are shown by graphical representation on a world map. See: http://www.proz.com/?sp=interpreter_search

9. Why don't I see myself on the Interpreter World Map?

In order to be shown on the Interpreter World Map, you must live in the country being searched, have interpreting listed as a service you provide in the language pair being searched, and have added your location to the map.