How VoteMySite.com Works
VoteMySite.com is a free site discovery, voting, rating, ranking, and traffic-measurement platform for sites across the internet. Site owners can add one or more sites, install a site-specific VoteMySite voting code or the Invisible - Statistics Tracker Only code, upload banners, edit listings, and monitor each site separately from the Control Panel. The invisible statistics-only option records pageview activity without displaying a voting control or recording votes. Visitors can browse categories, use live search suggestions or a complete search-results page, open listing details, vote, submit ratings and reviews, and visit listed sites in a new browser tab or window. The main rankings use the VoteMySite Score, a balanced 10-day average of Total Votes, Total Pageviews, and Total Hits Out, while dedicated ranking pages compare the selected metric over the same 10-day period.
Quick Start: The Complete Process in Six Steps
The platform is designed around one straightforward cycle: list a site, connect that site to VoteMySite.com, collect activity, and monitor the results. The detailed sections below explain every part, but this is the complete process at a glance.
Enter the site URL, title, description, category, and the account information requested by the form.
Choose the exact site you want to connect. Every site receives its own code and identifier.
Choose a simple link, static button, slider, center popup, on-load window, on-exit window, or another enabled code option.
Place the selected code in a site-wide template, header, footer, or immediately before the closing body tag so it can load throughout the site.
Visitors interact with the installed voting option and vote for the site on VoteMySite.com.
Use View Statistics, Edit Sites, Upload Banners, Edit Account, and Manage Sites to maintain each listing over time.
The Five Ws: What, Who, Why, When, and Where
What is VoteMySite.com?
VoteMySite.com is a directory, rating, and ranking platform for internet sites. Each participating site receives a public listing that can include a title, URL, description, category, VoteMySite Score, ranking position, voting activity, traffic activity, ratings, reviews, a Rate and Review control, and a direct Visit Now link. Site owners receive tools for collecting votes, displaying Vote My Site prompts, reviewing statistics, uploading banners, editing listings, and managing several sites from one account.
It is not a search engine replacement, a web-hosting service, or a guarantee of search-engine placement. It is a separate site-ranking community where listings compete according to measurable activity inside the VoteMySite system.
Who is it for?
VoteMySite.com serves two groups:
- Site owners, administrators, creators, and publishers who want to list sites, collect votes, monitor VoteMySite activity, and gain additional discovery opportunities.
- Visitors who want to discover sites, browse categories, compare rankings, vote for sites they value, and visit the listed destinations.
One owner account can manage multiple site listings. Each listing remains separate so votes, codes, banners, details, and statistics are attributed to the correct domain.
Why use it?
The purpose is to give sites another structured place to be found and evaluated. A listing can help a site receive exposure within a categorized directory, demonstrate voting activity, send visitors to the site through its listing, and provide a simple engagement tool that asks existing visitors to support the site.
The owner also receives a centralized Control Panel. Instead of manually remembering separate URLs and codes, the owner can choose a domain from a list and manage that site's VoteMySite presence.
When should a site be added?
Add a site when it is publicly accessible, has a stable URL, contains enough content for visitors to understand its purpose, and can accept the VoteMySite code. The best time to install the code is immediately after the listing becomes active, because statistics and voting activity can only be associated correctly when the proper code or VoteMySite link is being used.
Site information should be updated whenever the URL, branding, title, description, or category changes. Banner files should be replaced when branding changes or the current banner no longer represents the site accurately.
Where does everything happen?
- On VoteMySite.com: listings, rankings, categories, search, voting, statistics, account management, site editing, and banner management.
- On your own site: the voting code, button, slider, popup, or voting link that connects visitor activity to the correct VoteMySite listing.
- Inside the Control Panel: site-specific codes, statistics selection, banner uploads, site editing, account settings, and logout.
Adding a Site
Select Add Your Site from the main menu. New users complete the site and account form. Logged-in users can add another site under the existing owner account without creating a completely separate account for every domain.
Information required for a site listing
| Field | What to enter | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Site URL | The full public address, normally beginning with https:// | This is the destination used when visitors choose to visit the site. |
| Title | A clear, accurate title that identifies the site and its main purpose. | The title appears prominently in rankings and listing pages. |
| Description | A useful explanation of what the site provides, who it serves, and why someone should visit. | The description helps visitors understand the site before clicking through. |
| Category | The single category that most accurately represents the site. | Correct categorization helps visitors find relevant sites and prevents misleading placement. |
| Email and account fields | A valid email and the required login credentials. | These are used for account access, recovery, notifications, and security. |
Adding additional sites
After logging in, selecting Add Your Site opens the existing-account site form. The new site is placed under the same owner account. This makes it possible to manage many domains with one login while keeping the sites operationally separate.
Every additional site receives its own internal site identifier. That identifier is used in voting links, code snippets, statistics, and VoteMySite URLs. Do not copy the code from one site and place it on another, because activity would be credited to the wrong listing.
Understanding Your Public Site Listing
A listing is the public VoteMySite profile for one site. It can display the site title, description, category, ranking position, VoteMySite Score or method-specific score, vote activity, outbound activity, a Rate and Review option, and a Visit Now option. Visitors use the listing to decide whether the site is relevant, whether to rate or review it, and whether to visit it.
Title and description
The title should communicate the brand and purpose quickly. The description should answer what the site offers, who it is for, and what makes it useful. Avoid vague claims that do not help visitors understand the destination.
Category
Categories organize listings into subject areas such as arts, business, technology, dating, education, food, games, health, travel, and other available topics. Visitors can browse a category instead of searching the entire directory.
Rate and Review
The Rate and Review button opens the rating page for that specific listing. A visitor can select a rating and may also submit a written review. Ratings and reviews appear with the listing but do not currently form part of the ranking formula.
Visit Now
The Visit Now link opens the listed site in a new browser tab or window so VoteMySite.com remains open. This is recorded separately from votes and pageviews as outbound activity, commonly shown as Hits Out or Unique Out.
Vote controls
Vote controls allow a visitor to support a listing. A vote is associated with the site identifier embedded in the link or code. The system can distinguish total activity from unique activity, which helps separate repeated actions from unique visitors.
Getting and Installing Voting Codes
After logging in, select Get Voting Codes. If the account contains multiple sites, VoteMySite.com first displays the domain list. Select the exact domain whose code you want. The page title then identifies the selected domain so you can confirm that you are copying the correct code.
How to copy a code
- Open Get Voting Codes.
- Select the correct domain.
- Review the available code types.
- Use the Preview button when one is provided.
- Click inside the code box to select and copy the code.
- Paste the code into the site's HTML or site-wide template.
- Save or publish the site changes.
- Open the live site in a new browser session and test the voting option.
Where to place the code
The most reliable placement is a site-wide location that loads on every page. Depending on the site platform, this may be the global header, footer, layout template, theme file, tag manager, custom HTML area, or immediately before the closing </body> tag.
If the code is installed on only one page, activity from other pages may not be associated with the listing. A site-wide installation provides more complete coverage and ensures visitors can encounter the voting option throughout the site.
Available voting-code formats
| Code type | What the visitor sees | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Link | A normal text link to VoteMySite.com. | Use when you want the least visually intrusive voting option or need a link inside text, a footer, or a navigation area. |
| Static Button | A visible Vote My Site image button. | Use when you want a permanent, obvious voting control placed in a sidebar, footer, page, or promotional area. |
| Invisible - Statistics Tracker Only | Nothing. The tracker is completely invisible. | Use when you want VoteMySite pageview statistics without displaying a voting control or recording votes. |
| Additional Static Buttons | An alternate visible Vote My Site image button. | Use when you want a different static button design while keeping a permanent voting control on the page. |
| Rank Button | A visible button showing the site's VoteMySite rank. | Use when you want the site's current VoteMySite ranking displayed as part of the voting control. |
| Statistics Button | A visible button showing VoteMySite statistics. | Use when you want VoteMySite statistics displayed as part of the voting control. |
| Sticky Top Bar | A voting bar fixed along the top edge of the page. | Use when you want a persistent voting control at the top of the visitor's screen. |
| Sticky Bottom Bar | A voting bar fixed along the bottom edge of the page. | Use when you want a persistent voting control at the bottom of the visitor's screen. |
| Top-Left Ribbon | A voting ribbon attached to the top-left corner. | Use when a compact corner voting control fits the site's layout. |
| Top-Right Ribbon | A voting ribbon attached to the top-right corner. | Use when a compact top-right voting control fits the site's layout. |
| Bottom-Left Ribbon | A voting ribbon attached to the bottom-left corner. | Use when a compact bottom-left voting control fits the site's layout. |
| Bottom-Right Ribbon | A voting ribbon attached to the bottom-right corner. | Use when a compact bottom-right voting control fits the site's layout. |
| Middle-Left Tab | A voting tab fixed along the middle-left edge of the page. | Use when you want a compact side tab that remains available without taking permanent page space. |
| Middle-Right Tab | A voting tab fixed along the middle-right edge of the page. | Use when right-side placement better fits the site design. |
| Small Right-to-Left Floater | A compact voting control floating along the right side. | Use when you want a small floating voting control on the right side of the page. |
| Small Left-to-Right Floater | A compact voting control floating along the left side. | Use when you want a small floating voting control on the left side of the page. |
| Small Bottom-Left Floater | A compact voting control floating in the bottom-left corner. | Use when you want a small voting control anchored near the bottom-left corner. |
| Small Bottom-Right Floater | A compact voting control floating in the bottom-right corner. | Use when you want a small voting control anchored near the bottom-right corner. |
| Right-to-Left Slider | A voting graphic enters from the right side of the screen. | Use when you want an attention-getting prompt that does not require permanent page space. |
| Left-to-Right Slider | A voting graphic enters from the left side of the screen. | Use when left-side placement better fits the site design. |
| Bottom-Up Slider | A voting graphic enters upward from the bottom. | Use when side placement would interfere with navigation, chat tools, or other widgets. |
| Top-to-Down Slider | A voting graphic enters downward from the top. | Use when the top position is visually appropriate and does not cover important controls. |
| Center Page Popup | A voting graphic appears in the center of the browser window. | Use when maximum visibility is needed. Test carefully so it does not interfere with important site actions. |
| On-Load Full Window | A VoteMySite voting window opens when the page loads. | Use only when this behavior is appropriate for the audience and compatible with browser popup rules. |
| On-Exit Full Window | A VoteMySite voting window is triggered when exit behavior is detected. | Use when you want the voting invitation to appear as the visitor finishes the session. |
Visible versus interactive code options
A visible static button remains in the location where you place it. Slider and popup options are loaded by JavaScript and create the voting prompt dynamically. Window options depend on browser popup behavior. Preview buttons are provided so you can see how the selected option behaves before installing it.
Invisible statistics-only tracking
If you want to track VoteMySite pageview statistics without displaying a voting control, use Invisible - Statistics Tracker Only. The code is completely invisible and records total and unique pageview activity for the selected listing without recording votes. Install it site-wide for the most complete pageview coverage.
Pageview tracking and code differences
Every generated voting-code option is designed to report pageview activity for the selected listing when it loads, including static buttons, sliders, popups, and window options. The Invisible - Statistics Tracker Only code records the same pageview activity without providing any voting capability. Each code contains the identifier of the site it belongs to, so always install the exact code generated for that site and verify the resulting activity in View Statistics.
What VoteMySite Measures
VoteMySite.com separates several kinds of activity. These numbers describe activity inside the VoteMySite system; they are not intended to replace a full analytics platform.
| Metric | Meaning | Typical source |
|---|---|---|
| Pageviews | The VoteMySite tracking image or button was loaded for the selected site. | A compatible VoteMySite code installed on the site. |
| Unique Votes | Distinct voting activity for the selected site. Repeated votes from the same IP address during the applicable daily period normally remain one Unique Vote. | Static buttons, text links, sliders, popups, windows, or Vote controls on VoteMySite. |
| Total Votes | Every accepted vote for the selected site, including repeated accepted votes that do not increase the Unique Votes count. | Each valid voting action recorded for the listing. |
| Hits Out | A visitor left VoteMySite.com and opened the listed site. | Visit Now or another outbound link from the listing. |
| Unique activity | Activity counted as unique according to the platform's visitor-identification rules. | The system checks visitor information, including IP-based uniqueness. |
| Total activity | All accepted actions, including repeated actions that may not qualify as unique. | Every valid event recorded for the listing. |
Why unique and total numbers differ
A visitor may load a page or interact more than once. Unique Votes normally count one qualifying voter per IP address during the applicable daily period, while Total Votes count every accepted vote, including repeated accepted votes from the same visitor or IP address. The same unique-versus-total distinction also applies to pageviews and outbound visits, which is why total figures may be higher than their unique equivalents.
Why VoteMySite numbers may differ from another analytics service
Different systems count different events and use different visitor rules. VoteMySite counts activity generated through its own tracking endpoints, voting links, and outbound links. A general analytics system may count every page request, session, user, event, bot, or filtered visit according to a completely different configuration.
VoteMySite statistics may also be incomplete if the VoteMySite code is missing from some pages, blocked by the browser, removed by a content-security policy, delayed by a script optimizer, or installed with the wrong site identifier.
How Rankings Work Now
VoteMySite.com uses sustained activity rather than ranking sites by a single day's spike. The current ranking system calculates averages from the most recent 10 daily periods and updates positions as new activity is recorded.
Main ranking and VoteMySite Score
The main rankings use the VoteMySite Score. For each of the last 10 daily periods, the system totals Total Votes, Total Pageviews, and Total Hits Out. It then averages all three metrics equally across those 10 days. In practical terms, the displayed score is the 10-day average of Total Votes, Total Pageviews, and Total Hits Out, with each metric contributing one-third of the result.
Sites are ordered first by VoteMySite Score. When two sites have the same score, the system compares their 10-day average Total Votes, then Total Pageviews, then Total Hits Out. Join date and the site's internal identifier provide the final deterministic ordering when all activity values remain equal.
Ranking by Page Views Score
This dedicated page ranks sites by their 10-day average Total Pageviews. The 10-day average Unique Pageviews is used as the first tie-breaker. Pageviews are recorded when a compatible VoteMySite code loads for the correct site listing.
Ranking by Votes Score
This dedicated page ranks sites by their 10-day average Total Votes. The 10-day average Unique Votes is used as the first tie-breaker. Votes come from valid VoteMySite voting links, buttons, sliders, popups, windows, and Vote controls on VoteMySite.com.
Ranking by Hits Out Score
This dedicated page ranks sites by their 10-day average Total Hits Out. The 10-day average Unique Hits Out is used as the first tie-breaker. Hits Out are recorded when VoteMySite visitors follow a Visit Now or other tracked outbound listing link to the listed site.
Category rankings
Category pages include only active sites assigned to that category and use the selected or configured ranking method. They apply the same 10-day average Total metric and Unique metric tie-breaker used by the corresponding dedicated ranking page.
What does not affect the ranking formula
Written reviews and star ratings are displayed as separate community feedback. They do not currently increase or decrease the VoteMySite Score or the Pageviews, Votes, or Hits Out ranking scores.
Viewing Statistics
The public Statistics page presents VoteMySite.com-wide totals and averages. Site owners can select View Statistics from the logged-in submenu to review one specific site. If the account manages multiple sites, choose the domain whose statistics you want to review. Each domain has its own statistics because every listing uses a different site identifier.
Statistics commonly available
- Unique pageviews and total pageviews
- Unique votes and total votes
- Unique outbound visits and total outbound visits
- Daily activity
- Weekly activity
- Monthly activity
- Overall totals
- Average activity where displayed
How to interpret the results
Look for patterns rather than one isolated number. A sudden increase may follow a campaign, a new placement of the voting button, a popular article, or additional traffic. A sudden drop may mean the code was removed, the site changed themes, a cache served an older version, or fewer visitors reached the pages where the code is installed.
Compare sites separately. A large site and a small niche site may have very different traffic volumes, so their VoteMySite statistics should be interpreted in the context of their own audience and promotion.
Managing Multiple Sites from One Account
A single owner account can contain many site listings. The Control Panel therefore uses domain-selection pages before actions that apply to one specific site.
| Control-panel action | Why a site must be selected |
|---|---|
| Get Voting Codes | The code must contain the identifier of the correct site. |
| Upload Banners | The banner must be attached to the correct listing. |
| View Statistics | Each site has separate activity and totals. |
| Edit Sites | The URL, title, description, and category belong to one listing. |
| Edit Account | This applies to the owner account itself rather than one individual site. |
Site identifier versus public domain
The public domain is the web address visitors recognize. The internal site identifier is the value VoteMySite uses to connect codes, votes, statistics, and listing records. The identifier may appear inside generated code or VoteMySite URLs. It is intentionally stable so activity continues to point to the correct database record.
Never mix codes between sites
Before copying any code, confirm the selected domain shown in the Voting Codes page title. If code generated for Site A is installed on Site B, the resulting activity may be credited to Site A. Return to the domain-selection list and generate the correct code for each site.
Editing Your Account and Sites
Edit Sites
Edit Sites first displays the list of domains owned by the account. Select a site to edit its public listing information. The site-editing form is for site data, including the URL, title, description, and category.
Edit Account
Edit Account manages owner-level settings rather than one site listing. The available controls include:
- Email address
- Administrative-news and notification preference
- Password change
- Two-factor authentication setting
Password changes
When the password field says to leave it blank to keep the current password, enter a new password only when you intend to change it. Use a strong password that is not reused on another service.
Two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication adds another verification step after the username and password. When enabled, complete the setup carefully and retain any information needed to access the authentication method.
Forgot username or password
The recovery page accepts a username or email address. It can send the username and a secure password-reset link to the account email address. Keep the account email current so recovery messages reach the correct person.
Log Out
Use Log Out when finished, especially on a shared or public computer. Closing the browser tab is not always the same as ending the authenticated session.
How Visitors Use VoteMySite.com
Visitors do not need to manage a site to use the public directory. They can:
- Browse the overall rankings.
- Choose a ranking method.
- Browse a category.
- Start typing in the search field to see live matching sites.
- Press Search or Enter to open the complete search-results page.
- Read a listing title and description.
- Open the information or details page.
- Vote for a site.
- Select Rate and Review to submit a rating or written review.
- Select Visit Now to open the listed site in a new browser tab or window.
Why complete listing information matters to visitors
A visitor sees the listing before deciding whether to click. A specific title, accurate category, and useful description make the decision easier. Poor or misleading information reduces trust and may cause visitors to ignore the listing.
Best Practices for Better Results
- Use the exact live URL. Avoid temporary, broken, or redirecting addresses when possible.
- Write for people. Explain the site clearly instead of stuffing the title or description with repeated keywords.
- Choose the closest category. Correct categorization improves discovery and comparison.
- Install the code site-wide. A global template provides more complete coverage than one isolated page.
- Confirm the selected domain. Check the Voting Codes title before copying any snippet.
- Preview interactive options. Test sliders, popups, and windows before putting them on a live site.
- Avoid competing prompts. Too many popups or sliders can interfere with usability. Choose the voting presentation that fits the site.
- Test on desktop and mobile. Make sure the voting option does not cover navigation, forms, chat widgets, or important content.
- Review statistics after installation. Confirm that expected activity begins appearing for the correct site.
- Keep account email current. This is important for password recovery and notices.
- Keep listings current. Update the title, description, category, URL, and banner when the site changes.
- Encourage real participation. Ask genuine visitors to vote; do not rely on artificial or deceptive activity.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
No statistics are appearing
- Confirm the code is present in the live page source, not only in an unpublished editor.
- Confirm the code was generated for the correct domain.
- Clear site, plugin, CDN, and browser caches.
- Check whether a script optimizer or security policy removed or delayed the code.
- Make sure the code is installed on the pages being tested.
- Test with a code type that loads the VoteMySite tracking image or button endpoint if pageview recording is the goal.
The voting prompt does not appear
- Use the Preview button on the Voting Codes page first.
- Check the browser console for blocked scripts or content-security errors.
- Confirm the script URL and site identifier were copied without alteration.
- Test in a private browser window because a session dismissal may temporarily hide a slider after it was closed.
- Check whether another widget occupies the same screen position.
The wrong site receives activity
The code likely contains another listing's identifier. Remove it, return to Get Voting Codes, select the correct domain, and install the newly generated code.
A banner will not upload
- Compare the file size with the maximum shown on the upload page.
- Compare the image width and height with the displayed limits.
- Use a supported image format.
- Confirm the correct site is selected in the dropdown.
Unique Votes or Total Votes look different than expected
Unique Votes and Total Votes are different measurements. Repeated accepted votes may increase Total Votes without increasing Unique Votes. Browser privacy tools, shared networks, IP changes, and other technical conditions can also affect how uniqueness is determined.
The listing information is outdated
Log in, select Edit Sites, choose the correct domain, update the URL, title, description, or category, and save the changes.
Ready to Begin?
Add a site, install the correct voting code, and then use the Control Panel to manage each domain separately. Return to this page whenever you need a complete explanation of what each VoteMySite feature does and how the pieces work together.
