ThreeMikes - 5:45 pm on Jan 6, 2009 (gmt 0)

I have never been more mind-boggled by a change in the T&C's of a major corporation as I am by the recent change in YSM, which I shockingly have not seen reported in WebmasterWorld?

First, READ this:

"OPTIMIZATION. In the U.S. only, for those advertisers not bound by an Insertion Order, we may help you optimize your account(s). Accordingly, you expressly agree that we may also: (i) create ads, (ii) add and/or remove keywords, and/or (iii) optimize your account(s). We will notify you via email of such changes made to your account(s), and can also include a spreadsheet of such changes upon your written request. If you would like any of such changes reversed, please reply to such email within 14 days of the change(s), and we will make commercially reasonable efforts to reverse the change(s) you specifically identify. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you remain responsible for all changes made to your account(s), including all click charges incurred prior to any reversions being made. It is your responsibility to monitor your account(s) and to ensure that your account settings are consistent with your business objectives."

So let's summarize here. Yahoo now has the ability to ADD keywords, MODIFY ads and make overall optimization changes to your account, at any time, and it is YOUR responsibility to pay for the charges incurred by these changes.

As Andy Beal (MarketingPilgrim) commented, "Can you imagine if your investment adviser started buying stocks on your behalf or switched your portfolio from bonds to hedge funds?"

I am in SHOCK right now.