A few weeks back Yahoo switched over from Google to Inktomi. The current results on Yahoo are being served from the Inktomi database. However they are not exactly similar to the MSN results, which are also from the same Inktomi dbase. This is because Yahoo seems to be applying their own algorithm in order to generate what they think are better quality results.

Not many are aware that along with Inktomi and Overture, Yahoo also bought over Altavista and Alltheweb.

Yahoo buying over Inktomi and others has meant changes in the way paid submissions will now work.

Subscribers who have previously paid Inktomi for express inclusion (incusion in 48 hours + crawling every 48 hours) will continue to get traffic from the old Inktomi network plus the Yahoo.com network at the moment. However with the launching of a parallel paid program (called Overture site match) Yahoo has announced that after April 15th, subscribers would have to pay an additional fee to enjoy staying in the Yahoo index.

What this means is that the money paid till not to Inktomi would only get subscribers traffic from Hotbot and at present, MSN. However to get traffic from Yahoo, Alltheweb & Altavista, users would have to use Overture site match.

The Overture sitemap website (http://www.content.overture.com/d/USm/ays/sm.jhtml) lists the cost of inclusion as follows -

URL Submission (non-refundable annual fee, per domain)
First URL: $49
Next 2-10 URLs: $29 each
11th URL and beyond: $10 each

As with Inktomi, Participation in Yahoo!'s paid inclusion program does not guarantee rank in the search results. URLs are ranked in search results in the same way as all other URLs from the free crawl. The key drivers of ranking are keyword-specific relevance and site quality, as assessed by their regular search relevance algorithms with input from the quality review process.

However there is a catch -
There will be a cost per click associated with each listing.

What Yahoo has done is added the looksmart model which make the website owner pay a certain fixed amount for every click that they receive. The cost, according to the Yahoo sitesearch web page (http://www.content.overture.com/d/USm/ays/sm_pricing.jhtml) has been fixed in 2 levels. $0.15 for websites belonging to the fields of Adult Automotive Books Computers & Software Dating Education & Career Jewelry & Watches Music & Video Office Other Reference Sports & Outdoors Toys & Baby Equipment & $0.15 for websites in the foll fields - Apparel Electronics Financial Services Flowers, Gifts & Registry Health, Beauty & Personal Care Home & Garden Professional Services Real Estate Telecom & Web Services Travel.

It has also been mentioned, that sites currently performing well and not submitted via the Inktomi paid submission do not need to worry about their ranking. These sites would not be required to use the new service and would continue to rank at their current positions.

Related links:
Overture Site Match Overview Overture Site Match Pricing

Author - Vishal Sampat

Convonix Inc is a search engine optimization firm that offers customized SEO optimization and PPC campaign management solutions. We manage hundreds of SEO and PPC campaigns. Our clients include Web design firms, adveritising agencies, fortune 500 companies and SMEs. Other internet marketing companies can also Outsource SEO to us in India.

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