What is a topsite?

A topsite is a reciprocal linking program that places your banner on our page (once you've signed up) in exchange for your placement of our site's banner on your page. Occult 100 usually sends at least three times the traffic to member sites as the traffic those sites send back. Average traffic ratio is 3:1 in your favor.

I added your banner to my site. When are you going to list my site on yours?

If you signed up properly and placed the Occult 100 banner on your page, then you have already been added. Many other people may be ahead of you with votes so be sure to check through all the pages if you want to find your rank. You can also click on the link at the top of the page that says, "Add or Modify Your Site". This will allow you to check your stats without having to check all the pages.

Where do I get the code for Occult 100? I either lost it or never received it.

Just click here and type in your account name and the password you used when you originally signed up. You can also get this code any time you want by clicking on the link at the top of every page that says, "Add or Modify Your Site".

How do I get to be on the front page?

Place your banner in an obvious location on your site. You can also think about adding a text link in addition to the Occult 100 banner. The more traffic your site receives, the more likely you will be to have a chance to be in the top 10. We list all banners on the Occult 100 regardless on the placement so even if you are not in the top 10, your site will still get a lot of exposure as long as you are somewhere in the top 100.

How do I add or change my banner on the Occult 100?

If you are just signing up, click on the Add or Modify your Site link at the middle of the Occult 100 main page. Choose "Create a new account" and click "Pick One" to proceed. Read the Terms and Conditions. Place a check in the "I Agree" box. Fill out your site's account information. When you come to, "Site image" add the address of your banner.

It should be something like this:

http://www.yourdomain.com/yourbanner.jpg

You may have uploaded your banner into an images directory in which case your banner's url would read something like this:

http://www.yourdomain.com/images/yourbanner.jpg

No matter what directory you place your banner in, you have to identify it in the address. If you call it "banners", then put the word "banners" in place of the word "images" in your address.

Also be sure that your banner extention is correct. If it's a jpeg, use .jpg

If it's a gif use .gif

To test if your banner address is correct, simply highlight it and place it in the address line of your browser and hit "Enter" on your keyboard.

If it's correct, your banner will appear. If your receive a "File Not Found" or 404 error, your banner's address is wrong. Check it again with your site's host and try again. As soon as you have signed up successfully, you must add the Occult 100 voting code to your own website and click on it ONCE to activate. It you don't place the Occult 100 code on your page, the system will automatically delete the inactive account.

If you signed up previously without posting a banner for your site in your account information, then, click on the Add or Modify your Site link at the middle of the Occult 100 main page. Choose "Edit, check stats on existing account" and click "Pick One" to proceed. Enter your account name and password and click "Edit Account". Go down to where it says, "Site image" and add the address of your banner.

Again, it should be something like this:

http://www.yourdomain.com/yourbanner.jpg

As stated above, you may have uploaded your banner into an images directory in which case your banner's url would read something like this:

http://www.yourdomain.com/images/yourbanner.jpg

No matter what directory you place your banner in, you have to identify it in the address. If you call it "banners", then put the word "banners" in place of the word "images" in your address.

Also be sure that your banner extention is correct. If it's a jpeg, use .jpg

If it's a gif use .gif

To test if your banner address is correct, simply highlight it and place it in the address line of your browser and hit "Enter" on your keyboard.

If it's correct, your banner will appear. If your receive a "File Not Found" or 404 error, your banner's address is wrong. Check it again with your site's host and try again.

I checked my stats. What does "in" and "out" mean? How do I know how many people have clicked on my banner?

*In* means the number of unique people clicking on your Occult 100 voting banner (on your site) in a 24 hour period. Those clicks are considered votes and push you up on the Occult 100 list for the day.

*Out* means the number of people who click on your site's banner or link (on our site) in a 24 hour period. Those are the people who come from our site to yours and increase your site's traffic. Sites listed higher in the Occult 100 toplist generally get more visits from Occult 100's visitors so the more votes you send us, the better your position and the more traffic you will in turn receive.

Note: Only 1 click from a unique ISP counts in 24 hours. That's how we know and you know your votes are not the same person clicking on your voting code over and over again. Each vote reflects a different person living in a different location around the country or world. Those unique clicks to your voting banner push you up on the Occult 100 list.

I just checked my stats and they say I am supposed to be #8 on the Occult 100. When I go to that spot someone else is there. What happened?

The site refreshed before the counter could update. It happens all the time. Check back in a few minutes. Your site's stats should be registering correctly by then.

A site is always on the top spot. Are they cheating?

Maybe. People cannot cheat on Occult 100 by continually clicking on their own vote button. By the same token, people cannot frame other members for cheating by clicking on their voting button. The system will only let a single IP vote once in a 24-hour period. If you discover a new and unique method of cheating that we haven't mentioned here, you can report the offender for investigation. We won't rat you out to the member you ratted on, but you will also receive no information about the investigation so please don't ask. This is part of our privacy policy and protects you as well.

My banner is gone!!! It was there yesterday and it's gone now! WHY?

Two possibilities. Either your banner was broken or too big. We deleted it and allowed you to stay on the list because we were in remarkably good moods that day. Our policy is to delete people who ignore the rules and if you keep adding broken icons or banners that slow down the load time of our site, we will delete your entire account. If you need help determining whether your banner is too big, please let us know. We might even be able to help you reduce the load time so you will have a banner that won't get you kicked off everyone else's topsite too. We don't contact members to let them know we have deleted their site or their banner. If there was an error or you made a mistake, just let us know so we can help you. These rules have worked well for the overwhelming majority of members, but if you have trouble, please don't hesitate to contact us. We just want the site to function as well as possible. As server speeds and Internet connections improve, we might be able to increase the maximum banner size you are allowed. Until then, be cautious with gif files (animated banners) as they are usually too big and they slow the entire site down. When we find excessive banners, we will delete them without notice. A site you can use to help you reduce the file size of your banner without losing quality is called: Gif-Bot. Their site is free and easy to use.

How big can my banner be?

There are banner limitations for pixel size AND file size. They are: file size less than or equal to 15k. Pixel size less than or equal to: 480=Height 80=Width. No exceptions. Check your banner carefully for size or it may be removed. Again, Use Gif-Bot to help you reduce the file size of your banner without losing quality. Their site is free and easy to use.

My site is no where to be found on your site. I entered my information to check my stats and it says my account name or password is not valid. Did you delete me?

Probably. Unless there was a server glitch, and your password was accidentally invalidated by the system (and yes, this happens sometimes), you may have been deleted, but check with us either way. If your site was deleted, it was because it violated some part of the terms of use. We don't warn people before we delete them, so please, just follow the rules. We've worked hard to keep them simple. Stuff like hidden voting codes and mini Occult 100 pop-ups will just get you kicked off. Not listing our banner will also get you removed, because it's not fair to others who are honestly sending traffic to this site. So please, follow the rules and everyone will be happy. If you have questions, let us know.

When I change my information in the topsite, do the changes also apply to the search engine?

YES! Finally we have a program that is seamless between the topsite and the search engine. This also means fewer dead links when you search because only those sites that are listed in the archive and the topsite (which is cleaned for dead links regularly) are listed in the search engine. If you want your listing in the Occult 100 Search Engine to be different, simply change your topsite information.

Do you have access to members' passwords?

No. Our system is great in that it keeps your password secret even from administrators. We like it that way. We'd rather not know people's passwords. That does not mean we cannot get into your account and make changes if necessary. We use administrative pathways instead of your password to help people make changes if they forget their password or have difficulty navigating the site.

Are sites that have been on your list for years automatically placed higher than mine just because they have a head start with votes?

No. The program goes by the number of votes per day. Today your site could be #99 and tomorrow it could be #1. It depends on how many vote you get in a 24 hour period. This way everyone gets the most exposure.

When does the site refresh?

The site refreshes every sixty seconds. That means if you receive a lot of votes (from different voters' IP addresses) in a short period of time, you can move up on the list quickly. This also means that your rank can go down as well in the same short period of time, so be aware that your site can move down, if you suddenly notice it was a #5 and now is at #15.

When does the site reset?

Midnight EST.

Will you send me spells?

No, we don't do that. Please don't ask for spells. We have an archive for that. Renee and I will ignore you completely if you make outrageous requests.

Will you help me curse, hex or kill my (insert name of troublesome person here)?

No. If you harass us with sob stories about how cruel someone has been to you and how desperately they deserve punishment, I will report you to the Justice Department in your area. Our email program logs IP numbers, and I won't hesitate to send it to a police agency if you threaten someone's life. It's better if you don't involve us in your interpersonal problems. Try bowling instead.

Will you help me become a witch?

No. If you want to be a witch, read, research and surf the Internet. That's all you need. There's no magic spell that can make you a student. You have to do that for yourself by asking questions, practicing and reading. Did I mention reading? Read EVERYTHING. Most of it will be bull. The rest will help you decide what tradition you are most comfortable with. Don't be one of the sheep. Think for yourself. You'll start to realize quickly that research gives you at least as much info as everyone else who sells private lessons. Then you'll understand why I won't teach you to be a witch. If you are an adult, try networking with a reliable circle or other group that has a good reputation for being grounded. Ask questions at trusted local New Age or occult stores if possible. Always exercise caution when meeting people in person.

I am underage. Will you help me become a witch, send me spells or just talk to me?

Gods love you, we're so glad to have you on our side. But...no, I will not encourage children to entrap adults in the snare that is our legal system. Likewise I will not encourage you to communicate with strangers on the Web when it will one day get you killed. Anyone you meet through the Internet is a stranger. That includes me. Now here's some tough talk, kids, but listen close. Our government has a very unfair bias about pagan religious paths. People go to jail, lose their kids, homes and jobs all the time--just for being pagan. Even fluffy bunny Wiccans (recognized by the U.S. Military) are persecuted. Don't believe the hype about civil liberties and freedom of religion. All you have to do is watch the news to know that we live in dangerous times. What chance does a decent person have if your parents sick the law on him or her for helping you become what they call a "devil-worshipper"? Sure we all know that witchcraft is not necessarily Satanic, but how many courts know that? Not enough!

If you want to one day call the pagan community: "your people" then you better get it through your head that talking to adults about paganism, witchcraft or any other new age topic when you are underage can get adult witches ARRESTED. It doesn’t matter how innocent the conversation is. If you care about the community you want so badly to become a part of, then don't screw them by begging for witchcraft lessons. Contributing to the delinquency of a minor is a serious offense.

We will never respond to kids who ask questions. NEVER. If you are serious about paganism: read. Read everything you can get your hands on. It will help you weed out the liars and psychos you'll come into contact with when come of age and are ready to start networking. Don't talk to strangers about wicca, witchcraft or paganism while you are underage, even strangers with big shiny websites. They probably have an agenda that has nothing to do with helping you learn witchcraft. Best case scenario, your parents could have a decent person arrested just for trying to help you. Do you really want that? Worst case scenario: You could get yourself killed by the 1 in 3 people who will respond to you. Yes, that is the ratio of psychos to decent people who respond to kids' emails. Decent people know that kids shouldn't be talking to strangers on the Internet. Most decent people won't encourage you by replying if you tell them your age or write like a second grader. In all seriousness, I realize you may be lonely or curious, but the pagan community needs you too much to lose you to a psycho. Don't get yourself killed before you scratch the surface of what might be the right spiritual path.

I tried a spell on your site and it didn't work. Will you walk me through it until it works?

No. I'm sorry, but, all information on this site is listed for educational and entertainment purposes only. Do not email us with a thousand questions about why your spells won't work. There are a million reasons why you could be having trouble. We don't have the time to walk every person new to the craft through introductory witchcraft lessons. My suggestion to you is to try another spell that you have more proficiency with or rethink your ritual goal before continuing.

Someone listed in your search engine de-frauded or otherwise swindled me. Will you delete them for being mean to me?

You must be kidding. I appreciate your trying to keep the Internet safe, but think about it: how do I know you aren't lying? You could have swindled them. You could be trying to eliminate competition by ruining their business. In any event, this is a task for the Justice Department. Indeed, I have been stolen from before, and I do sympathize with your situation. But, emailing us is not the answer and you could even be sued for it if the person you are trashing ever found out. Wouldn't that be a bite? So, please don't bother emailing about this; we can't accommodate such requests.

I noticed an occult-related Adult site on your page that I just don't approve of.

Too bad. Occult 100 caters to all faiths and that includes tantra and other forms of sacred sexuality. Your definition of sacred sexuality will likely differ from a goth, vamp, or Satanist (unless, of course, you are a goth, vamp, or Satanist). Only the Occult 100 staff can decide if a site is appropriate for the list. However, if you run across a common porn site on the list that you feel was either added by accident added to take advantage of the site's traffic without offering any occult, new age, pagan or other fantasy related themes, please let us know. People like this take advantage of all of us and will be removed immediately.