Alex Gomes >> Blog

Yahoo Site Explorer just added Google Sitemap type ability to verify site. Whats new is now you can upload a file rather than to add meta tags. I have been waiting for this feature for a while. Because in certain softwares, its complicated to add meta tags but its easier to upload file. It looks like Yahoo learned from Google mistake. Not only the file has “y_” prefix to prevent file name collision, but it also has unique verification word in the file itself (to prevent infamous 302 redirect problem, in Google sitemap).

Now, only if they implemented top query, rank keywords.

If you haven’t heard already, yesterday was the start of FIFA World Cup. 1.5 billion people will be watching.
So its no wonder, the search engines have attempted capitalizing on the game.
Google for starters have change there logo and added a special page for world cup.

Also for select searches they actually give you the score.

ASK did the most interesting thing. They actually put all the teams on there front page.

Yahoo, created whole section on World Cup.

MSN, ahh nothing.

Try each of them out. And enjoy the game.

Yahoo and Ebay has formed strategic partnership, very short of a merger. As I mentioned earlier, its been rumored for some time. I think Yahoo is the primary loser of the deal, since Ebay is kind of a lost cause when fighting Google. The devils are in the details.

Search and Advertising:

Yahoo will provide Overture ads and search results for Ebay: Ahh! Yahoo should create a good search engine. Don’t bribe companies to use your search engine. At least bribe them for a reasonable product. Will any one stop using Google because Ebay uses Yahoo? This must been some Kalifornia thing.

Integrated Commerce Payment System:

Yahoo will use PayPal: What? You are going to give up to 3% of transaction fee to Ebay. Yahoo, you can create your own PayPal and make more money then you your video, tech news, shopping etc combined! Ohh and don’t forget to give all your YPN publisher name and details to PayPal. I guess that list would be great when Microsoft buys Ebay.

Co-Branded eBay Toolbar:

Ebay has a toolbar? OMG. So Yahoo is going to replace its spyware with Ebay’s spyware. At least you should have bargained for co-branded Yahoo toolbar.

“Click-to-Call” Advertising Functionality:

You gotta be kidding me. Is this a pipe dream from Kalifornia? Do you know the demographic of Instant Messenger? Teenagers. Because they don’t have jobs or money. You expect them to call your advertisers. Better yet you expect these advertisers to pay you for this demographic to call them.

And people wonder about Excite, AltaVista, etc.

Yahoo is testing new design for home page. And I don’t like it. I have had Yahoo for 8 years now set as default homepage. Four browsers and dozen search engines could not make me switch. Now this design just sucks. I hate the clutter, too many ads, and most importantly, miss the simplicity. I hope Yahoo sticks to its old design.

Check out for yourself.

Microsoft is in talks with Yahoo to have some kind of merger. This would make no. 1 Yahoo and no. 3 MSN more competitive to the challenge posed by Google

I don’t think its going to happen anytime soon, because the price tag for Yahoo would be more than $45 billion. It would make one the most expensive acquisition in history.

It would not work if Microsoft partially invest in the company(like 20% stake). Since the web is the future, Microsoft has to go all the way or not at all. Microsoft would not be able to keep one leg in MSN and another leg in Yahoo. Two brands would just compete with each other.

Now Microsoft doesn’t have any choice. Microsoft has to take the leadership on the web or cease to exist, in a sector where its not been successful. Make no mistake, Google OS is on its way. If its successful, it would kill the cash cow Windows and Office. $45 billion acquisition in that light for $242 billion company is not that big price to pay for the survival of Microsoft.