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View Full Version : The influence and domination of Google: Yahoo buys text links


PixelStreamed
12-27-2006, 11:27 PM
I haven't been keeping up on my search engine optimization techniques recently, but does anyone know if Yahoo and other search engines use factors such as inbound links and text link wording to factor results in their own search engine? I know Google was the first one to start this phenomenon that has taken over the web, and I was wondering if the other search engines have caught up and use these ranking factors (or does Google own the patent for this and other SE's aren't allowed to use this in their algorithms?).

The reason I ask this is because I have noticed that Yahoo has been buying text links on very influential and prominent websites with generic "text" as the link. For example, the text link "Internet Directory" to it's URL http://dir.yahoo.com. (Disclaimer: That was just an example. I didn't want to give the exact URL and search term).

My reasoning comes to say that if no other SE can rank based on the factors stated above then the only reason Yahoo has bought these links is to rank high in Google. Which is pretty ironic! They are basically saying, "Yes, your business is run better than ours!", because it means they are trying to rank high in Google.

This just shows how powerful and dominant Google has become on the Internet. I have been a fan of Google way back when, and the two things I have always loved about them is 1) their continually forwarding thinking business model and 2) the way they always keep everything open-source and not geared towards making a profit. Everytime they come out with a new gadget or technology on the Internet that analysts criticize it's pretty funny. Most of the time it just shows that the analysts aren't tech savy enough to see the potential of something Google has just released, most of the time saying that it won't create profits for Google's bottom line.

Another thing great about Google is how their business is not really run on making a profit, but to actually better the world! Almost everything they have ever releases was open source and offered API's so that other developers can build upon the newly created technology! I believe this is a main reason why Google has completed dominated the competition! (This reminds me of that saying "Build it and they will come!") Which is exactly what happened, techies and webmasters love "The Google", the term coined by George Bush.

Competitors on the other hand always had a different view when creating products and new technology. Actually hindering technology and advancement by proprietizing, copyrighting, or locking up their code! Thanks to Google things are changing though, I think these other companies are learning that they need to harness the power of their technology through others by allowing others to be able to build on their products and technology. You see more and more companies starting to offer API's and open source software/code to the general public.

One example is the Google Maps Satellite technology. Back in the day it was almost guaranteed that if a product like that came out other companies like Yahoo, MSN, or other software companies would have been charging to use the technology, but today it is all offered free because of the influence and dominance of Google! There are many countless other situtations that I can think of; the list is too huge actually to write about here.

Anyway, I just thought I'd put some thoughts out that I have been thinking about for quite some time now.

And here's another disclaimer: I didn't proofread or recheck spelling. Everything was typed as it came straight out of my thinking head so sorry for any grammatical errors. I also know the flow of the post isn't as smooth, there are a few things I could have added and discussed but I'm getting hungry. :D

projectphp
12-28-2006, 12:16 AM
s anyone know if Yahoo and other search engines use factors such as inbound links
They all do.

pleeker
12-28-2006, 12:31 AM
does anyone know if Yahoo and other search engines use factors such as inbound links and text link wording to factor results in their own search engine?Yes, of course they all use those as factors, though to what degree is up for debate.

The reason I ask this is because I have noticed that Yahoo has been buying text links on very influential and prominent websites with generic "text" as the link. For example, the text link "Internet Directory" to it's URL http://dir.yahoo.com.Not really all that surprising. Each search engine does a considerable amount of paid advertising of its various services and properties. Google even buys ads via AdWords. So does Yahoo. :)

My reasoning comes to say that if no other SE can rank based on the factors stated above then the only reason Yahoo has bought these links is to rank high in Google. Which is pretty ironic! They are basically saying, "Yes, your business is run better than ours!", because it means they are trying to rank high in Google.It's no secret that Google is the No. 1 search engine, so of course Yahoo will take steps to get traffic from Google users. In fact, I believe I saw some stats earlier this year saying that Google is Yahoo's #1 referrer, or something like that.

If Yahoo were the #1 search engine, and if its algorithm was more heavily weighted toward on-page optimization (which it is), Google would probably be smart enough to do a lot of on-page optimization on some of its services, like the Gmail home page, for example.

Everytime they come out with a new gadget or technology on the Internet that analysts criticize it's pretty funny. Most of the time it just shows that the analysts aren't tech savy enough to see the potential of something Google has just released, most of the time saying that it won't create profits for Google's bottom line.Certainly there are some analysts out there that aren't fully qualified to do what they do, but the fact is that not everything Google touches turns to gold, they're not perfect, and they're hardly beyond criticism.

Gmail hasn't begun to put a dent in usage of Yahoo Mail or Hotmail. Google Maps/Local is a distant second behind Yahoo Maps/Local in terms of features and tools (they're dead even in traffic). Google Answers just shut down due to poor usage (and a poor business model), while Yahoo Answers is the #1 such site on the Web. Google Checkout is still very much open for debate, and it may tell you something that they've had to give the service away essentially for free in order to take on PayPal. And so on and so forth....

Another thing great about Google is how their business is not really run on making a profit, but to actually better the world!Pixelstreamed, careful with the kool-aid there, eh? :) They're a public company with very demanding shareholders. 98% of what they do is geared toward one goal, and one goal only: increasing revenue via AdWords.

Almost everything they have ever releases was open source and offered API's so that other developers can build upon the newly created technology!You might want to do some reading on the recent changes to their SOAP API and how it has impacted developers negatively.

Google's a good search engine; right now, the best. But good does not equal perfect.

Marcia
12-28-2006, 03:19 AM
I haven't been keeping up on my search engine optimization techniques recently, but does anyone know if Yahoo and other search engines use factors such as inbound links and text link wording to factor results in their own search engine? Dear Lord, you're about 8 years behind the times! You're on the right track, though - it's time to catch up; in this day and age it can be dangerous to become the Rip Van Winkle of search.

They ALL use linking factors. Good morning, and welcome back. :D

PixelStreamed
12-28-2006, 03:38 AM
Dear Lord, you're about 8 years behind the times! You're on the right track, though - it's time to catch up; in this day and age it can be dangerous to become the Rip Van Winkle of search.

They ALL use linking factors. Good morning, and welcome back. :D

8 years? I didn't even know the SEO industry went back that far from what I can remember. :p Thanks for the welcome back!


So inbound text affects Yahoo and MSN SERP's also?

Marcia
12-28-2006, 04:41 AM
8 years? I didn't even know the SEO industry went back that far from what I can remember. :p Thanks for the welcome back!

So inbound text affects Yahoo and MSN SERP's also?Yes! Pull up a chair, and start reading - and catch up with the world as it's been since 1998. ;)