Yahoo Paid Search Links

In what may be the first volley in a duel with its former ally Google Inc., Yahoo has announced a new policy for indexing Web pages that will charge businesses to include more material currently unlisted in its online search engine.

Yahoo company officials said Tuesday that the payments won’t improve a site’s ranking on the list of results that appear after a search but they acknowledged there will be no distinguishing marks to alert Web surfers that a company had paid to be included.

If website operators want to be included in Yahoo’s new “paid inclusion” program, they must pay an annual subscription fee of $49 to list one Internet address and $29 each for the next nine addresses. In addition, the new program requires the operators to pay the nation’s second largest search engine a sliding-scale fee for each click on their search listing.

The Sunnyvale, Calif.-based company has already been using a similar approach on its shopping-oriented Web pages but is now expanding the program to its entire site.

Yahoo has included a general disclosure statement about the new program, where Web surfers must click on the phrase “What’s this?” The new policy is likely to add fuel to a growing battle between Yahoo and main rival Google of Mountain View, Calif.

Google, the nation’s most popular search site, doesn’t let website operators pay to be included in search results but does allow advertisers to pay for promotions that appear alongside search results. Those sites are clearly labeled “sponsored links.”

Yahoo, as is trying to supplant its rival as the Web’s most popular search engine, terminated its 3-1/2 year deal with Google to license its search engine two weeks ago.

According to ComScore Media Metrix, nearly 35 percent of all Web searches in the U.S. are conducted on Google. Yahoo, meanwhile, commands a 28 percent market share.

Gary Ruskin, executive director of Commercial Alert, a consumer group that that has criticized search engines for co-mingling advertising and editorial results, told XBiz that in a wide variety of contexts the new policy will create a system for website operators of “haves and have-nots.”

“We are sending a letter to the FTC on the matter,” Ruskin said.

Two years ago, the Federal Trade Commission asked search-engine firms to clearly label sponsored listings so that consumers could differentiate between paid and unpaid listings. The federal agency also requested that search engines that use “paid inclusion” programs, such as Yahoo’s, offer Web surfers a clear description of how the program works.

An FTC spokesperson told XBiz that it may look at Yahoo’s new program, but declined to comment further.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

FSC: Age-Verification Laws Go Into Effect South Dakota, Georgia, Wyoming on July 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published a statement regarding new age verification laws set to go into effect tomorrow in South Dakota, Georgia, and Wyoming.

TTS Opens UK Testing Location

Talent Testing Service (TTS) has opened a new U.K. location in Ware, Hertfordshire.

FSC Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Texas AV Law

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has released a statement responding to last week's Supreme Court decision on FSC v. Paxton, the Texas age verification law.

Sex Work CEO Debuts Upgraded 'GPTease' AI Assistant

Sex Work CEO has introduced the new Canvas in-chat editing feature to its AI-powered, NSFW text generator, GPTease.

UPDATED: Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

North Carolina Passes Extreme Bill Targeting Adult Sites

The North Carolina state legislature this week ratified a bill that would impose new regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Supreme Court Ruling Due Friday in FSC v. Paxton AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on Friday in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, the adult industry trade association's challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Ofcom: More Porn Providers Commit to Age Assurance Measures

A number of adult content providers operating in the U.K. have confirmed that they plan to introduce age checks in compliance with the Online Safety Act by the July 25 deadline, according to U.K. media regulator Ofcom.

Aylo Says It Will Comply With UK Age Assurance Requirements

Tech and media company Aylo, which owns various adult properties including Pornhub, YouPorn and Redtube, plans to introduce age assurance methods in the United Kingdom that satisfy government rules under the Online Safety Act, the company has announced.

Kyrgyzstan Parliament Approves Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

The Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday passed legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

Show More