October 15, 2009
By the ZippyCart Shopping Carts Content Team
The rumors are true: Yahoo’s Paid Inclusion has an expiration date. On December 31, 2009 Yahoo Paid Inclusion will cease to exist, leaving many ecommerce entrepreneurs without the trusted revenue stream expected for the New Year.
Earlier this summer, Yahoo and Microsoft announced a new search deal that would allow Yahoo to use Microsoft’s new Bing search platform and algorithm. This brought into question concern from many Yahoo fans, who found themselves wondering how this new partnership would change Yahoo. Now, only a few months later, the change is beginning by first taking out Paid Inclusion, Yahoo’s controversial paid placement in organic search results. Many search engine marketers have long had issues with Paid Inclusion, because it has allowed website owners the chance to buy their way into search results. While Yahoo always reported that Paid Inclusion listings and organic listings received equal treatment, many have speculated that paid listings have often been favored above a strong and more accurate organic listing.
While the death of Paid Inclusion may be a dream come true for seasoned and skilled SEO’s, it can lead to a large economic hiccup for ecommerce websites that rely on Paid Inclusion’s predictable revenue stream. If you are an online store owner that uses Paid Inclusion to drive traffic and profits, then now is the time to start planning on how to mitigate the risk. Since Yahoo’s organic search will soon be 100 percent organic, it is important to boost the SEO of your website. One key point to consider is the fact that Yahoo’s search algorithm will be exchanged for Bing’s. As such, you should start optimizing for Bing now because chances are, on January 1, 2010 your Yahoo search placement will mirror your current standing in Bing.
Amy is the co-founder of ZippyCart. She went to school for film in Cleveland, Ohio and ended up working in the field of viral video marketing, which eventually led her to her real profession: SEO. When she's not writing for ZippyCart, she can be found out and about Seattle, WA.
