FAST: We're in talks with Yahoo

[heini]

Knut Magne Risvik from FAST yesterday confirmed - yes, we are in close talks with Yahoo.
Itkanalen.com [itkanalen.com]

Risvik doesn't even deny possible partnerships with MSN...

[stace]

I'm leaning towards hoping that Fast takes over the Yahoo web results....probably because I'm managing to rank slightly higher on a lot of key terms with Fast. I get the majority (60-70%) of my traffic from Google- but it'd be nice not to rely on them so much- I mean we all know that the dreaded PR 0 thing can ocassionally hit a site for no valid reason. But then on the flip side, I don't have a lot of experience w/ Fast, so who knows if these rankings will stay consistent.... I DO know that AOL dumping Ink for Google is nothing but GREAT news! Can't wait for August to come.

[Brett_Tabke]

First thing they have to do, is decide if they are going to be Fast, or AllTheWeb. I'd like to see them get one of the top madison avenue firms to redo a name and a logo - complete branding refresh (ala Goto) top to bottom.

[heini]

FAST or ATW

Don't see that. FAST is a trademark in corporate search. Going for ATW (or other new branding) would follow the path Google went - get exposure via Yahoo and build branding for Google.
Which FAST does most likely not intend to do.

[Brad]

>First thing they have to do, is decide if they are going to be Fast, or AllTheWeb.

FAST is catchy and the public can remember it easily - IMO. But they need to figure out one name.

For some reason I am not even in FAST with some sites, so really my own vested interest is in Google staying with Y!. However, I think it is better for the Web in the long run to have some competition in search. Therefore, I hope FAST gets it even though I will personally take a hit.

[nancyb]

Oh yes, glory be and pass the gravy! Having another engine in the position of being able to put a halt on google's impending monopoly of the web can only be a good thing for all - users and webmasters/owners. One engine bascially in charge of the net is a very scary thing!!

I've been using Fast a lot more lately (also Teoma) - google's relevancy has gone down as their spam has risen and , this, in spite of their PR penalties.

[mayor]

>> google's relevancy has gone down as their spam has risen

Being the top cow, Google attracts spammers like a barnyard attracts flies. If Fast gets Yahoo, they may actually help Google by giving the spammers some diversion.

[rzfree]

Sorry, can't resist it
Alltheweb how to make pizza [alltheweb.com]
Google how to make pizza [google.com]

R

[crobb305]

What will happen to Google PR if they are no longer affiliate with Yahoo? All the talk in the Google forums about lowered PR0 and this could really cause PR to slump.

[mcguffin]

rzfree,

I knew that allthecheese on pizza was bad for you, but I didn't know it could be an "Atom Bomb"

[see ATW result #3.]

Wow. We've got a new definition for the pizza grease-bomb. :)

mcg

[caine]

crobb

that is regarding the Yahoo directory, they own shares in Google, so whether google decides to take the yahoo directory weightings out of their algo reamins to be seen.

[crobb305]

I just checked my rankings in FAST and I actually have higher top 10 rankings on popular phrases than I do on Google. While I get 200-300 hits a day on Google, I do not receive any traffic from FAST/Alltheweb. Although Fast doesn't seem to drive traffic right now (to my site), maybe Yahoo will give it a significant boost. I agree, the dreaded PR0 in Google keeps us on edge most of the time.

[john316]

If Y! goes with Fast, I predict a renewed interest in the whole PFI/deceptive advertising issue. Until now, Fast hasn't been on anyones' radar screen, they are not a U.S. entity, but a partnership with Y! would put them in the spotlight. If they share PFI revenue with Y!, they could both be lambasted for deceptive practices.

Putting the Yahoo! brand at risk for a few bucks does not make a lot of sense, but they have sold out their constituency before.

[heini]

John, deceptive advertizing issues have to my knowledge not been connected to Pay For Inclusion programs. It was PPC not properly demarked, that got on the radar.

PFI, as FAST offers it, does not have any influence on ranking.

I do not see any case here.

Furthermore PFI is in action at INK, a US based company. Lycos.com offers PFI.

[john316]

>>John, deceptive advertising issues have to my knowledge not been connected to Pay For Inclusion programs.<<

"Search industry veterans like Sullivan foresee possible problems down the road. "There is the potential for abuse," he says. "Pages that consumers want could be ignored by spiders."

Full article here:

[pcworld.com...]

>>PFI, as FAST offers it, does not have any influence on ranking.<<

Ahhh...uh huh

"Guaranteed inclusion and ongoing refresh of your content every 48 hours"

That puts me at a distinct advantage over the non paying site who has to wait for the "regular" cycle, my stuff gets there first.....who knows when the others get in (if ever).

[sean]

mcguffin, why would you bother with the #3 listing when the #10 spot clearly lets you Discover How To Create Your Own Internet Money Machine...*

But with some degree of seriousness, I am inclined to believe that even Google's spam is a bit more relevant than AlltheWeb's spam. More crude to webmasters, perhaps, but more on-topic to searchers?

Maybe things are different outside of my areas of interest. Anyone care to stickymail me some examples where AlltheWeb's spam is clearly superior?

* (added: different results are flipping back and forth with every 1-3 refreshes.)