It’s been a long time coming… back in 2007, it was widely considered that MSN would try to purchase Yahoo! to get back in the search game. Then, in 2008, it was clear that Microsoft still wanted Yahoo!, and Carl Ichan almost helped it happen. 2009 was when Bing replaced Live Search, the self-proclaimed “decision engine” we began to see the the future of search from Microsoft.
Now, It’s Official, Yahoo! is powered by Bing!
Later this week, we will begin transitioning the back-end technology for Yahoo! Search in the U.S. and Canada (English) over to the Microsoft platform, and will post an update when the organic search transition is complete for both Web and mobile searches. Keep an eye out for the “Powered by Bing” indicator at the bottom of our search results page, which will indicate that you are viewing listings from Microsoft. And of course, as we’ve stated before, you’ll continue to enjoy the same enhanced Yahoo! experience that surrounds the listings themselves – such as rich results, Search Assist suggestions, site filters, related topic suggestions, and more to come. – Yahoo! Search Blog
So, one of the biggest questions that I have fielded from fellow SEO strategists is “what about SiteExplorer and what about the Yahoo! Directory?” With the release from the Yahoo! Search Blog, we are getting the information that SiteExplorer will be shut down and be replaced by Bing’s Webmaster Center:
Once all markets are being served by Microsoft, we plan to refine the focus of Yahoo! Site Explorer, and webmasters should use Bing’s Webmaster Center to provide information about their website and its structure. Of course, we will notify you well in advance of all markets being transitioned to Bing’s content systems. – Yahoo! Search Blog
So, I guess the question still unanswered is whether the directory will still be in production post transition?
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Considering M$’s track record, I’d say the directory will be shelved permanetly, never to be seen by human eyes again.
Finally! MSN did it, I was following this topic from 2007 and after few years bing back and grap yahoo! it’s a shocking new for google, now MSN can growing his biz online fast using 2 power site like yahoo and bing!!
Surely if yahoo’s powered by Bing, that makes it a little unnecessary? It may be a dim question, but will they not be doing the same job?
I’m wondering too if what will happen to Yahoo Siteexplorer and Yahoo Directory.
It’s amazing how much changes online in just a few months. Now, it’s about half way to 2012 and boy how the search engine game has progressed. It’s hard to picture Google ever NOT being the giant, but I wouldn’t doubt in my lifetime there will be something bigger and better that comes along.
Brad