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A number of people have noted that the new Yahoo! search is just a "warmed over" version of the Inktomi index. Why, with all the search expertise at Fast and Alta Vista, would Yahoo present such a mediocre index? Why aren't they adding new sites from the free submission?
The short answer is money - let me explain.
1. The Inktomi index is already full of PFI subscribers. Yahoo! wants them to pay for the new SiteMatch. So Yahoo! temporarily keeps out any new sites as they would be "competition" for the existing subscribers. Remember - exisiting subscribers get free inclusion in SiteMatch until 4/15. In other words, they want to maximize conversion of existing Inktomi PFI clients into SiteMatch. With this lack of competition, they are creating temporary SERP position inflation for the existing customers. Some of these existing PFI sites are surely due to fall back as more relevant pages are added.
2. I think Yahoo! is holding off updating the index with the free submissions until some initial period is over. If they folded in the free submissions right away and those new sites ranked well (as many probably will, because there are some good pages not currently included), how many of those new sites would pay for PFI? By creating a sense of uncertainty (ie. "Will I be in the new index or not?") they can maximize new subscriptions to SiteMatch.
I think we start to see the Yahoo! index begin to "normalize" after 4/15 - after the initial money-grab is over.
seasalt, the cynical
I think your right.
Is there a specific date set for the URLS submitted thru the new Yahoo free submit to be indexed?
What is the 4/15 date in referance to?
Thanks,
Dan
I remember my Inktomi PFI traffic falling like a rock whenever there was an Inktomi update that allowed new sites into the unpaid SERPs.
It would be like opening the floodgates and my ROI for paid inclusion would fall like a rock too.
We might be best off praying for no organic update. There might be tsunami of mega sites queued up waiting to get in and dilute the index for those of us that are already in, or have paid to get in.
What is the 4/15 date in referance to?
Exisiting Inktomi PFI subscribers get free inclusion in the new SiteMatch until 4/15.
seasalt
