Yahoo, Overture and Inktomi

Million dollar Submission question

[shakaal]

I have been following the changes in Yahoo for quiet some time now. After Yahoo bought Inktomi, I have been seriously considering submitting our websites to Inktomi since its spread seems to be far and wide.

I was wondering if someone could tell me how wise it is to submit to Inktomi at this point of time to continue to maintain good ranking and may be gain better ranking in Yahoo. At present I have great ranking in Google but Yahoo it has dropped slightly so should I submit to Inktomi keeping this in mind.

[fctoma]

I've had about 90% of my core and keyword pages enrolled in Intomi's PFI for a few years now and really can't complain.

At first, I set them all to be tracking URLs/Links, and after 6 months, found it to be working great...good CTs and fair ROI.

So, haven't got rid of the Inktomi PFI, in fact I just renewed them. I know Yahoo isn't using them with their new algo, but hey, who knows what comes later in the year with Inktomi, I'm covered no matter what.

[Winooski]

shakaal, I'd wait until next week to make your decision. Tim Mayer, executive at Yahoo! (and WebmasterWorld Member "Tim"), is one of the speakers at PubConference VI (See conference track for Thursday, February 26 [webmasterworld.com]). Mayer recently posted in the WebmasterWorld Supporters Forum [webmasterworld.com] that he'll be "going through the whole new program and the changes next Thursday at Pubcon". By next Monday, we should have a clearer picture of what the Yahoo! PFI program will look like.

Earlier in that thread (available to WebmasterWorld members only), Tim explained:

The Inktomi Search Submit will continue with the same network that has existed (MSN etc.). As a bonus Search Submit customers get a 2 month trial in the Yahoo index. After this period, the search submit customers will continue to receive only the Inktomi network traffic until their subscription runs out. The customers will then have the option to buy inclusion into the new Yahoo program as a add on feature.

The short answer: Don't buy Search Submit thinking you will be in the Yahoo index because you wil not (other than the 2 month trial).

To add to our confusion, according to ineedhits.com's Inktomi Search Submit page [ink.ineedhits.com]:

As a bonus for current Inktomi Search Submit customers, Yahoo! Search is providing a free trial of Yahoo! traffic that will end on April 15th, 2004. This means that if you are an existing Inktomi Search Submit customer, you are already receiving this free trial of Yahoo! traffic! When the new inclusion program launches, new Inktomi Search Submit subscriptions will no longer be accepted. Existing Inktomi Search Submit customers will have the option of maintaining their subscriptions (receiving continued traffic from partners previously in the Inktomi network) or joining the new program for ongoing distribution on Yahoo! Search and a full network of portals.

Clear? Not to me! ;) Again, I recommend holding off till next week.