subject: Yahoo undergoes search engine and email makeover [print this page] Yahoo undergoes search engine and email makeover
Yahoo has put its mail server and search engine offering through a major makeover as it attempts to win users back from top dog Google. The firm is hoping that the overhaul will boost its performance and quality of service for its 279 million mail users. Yahoo Mail will be the biggest recipient of care and attention from the online search firm, however the company's search engine offering will not be left unmodified.
The company is promising web users and SEO agency that its search engine will offer up better results for news and entertainment queries as well. Part of Yahoo's makeover drive will focus on better integration of social media - an essential move as Facebook now accounts for almost ten per cent of all web traffic. Google has long been touting its intention to expand its social media offering and it looks like both Microsoft and Yahoo want to get in on the action.
Blake Irving, chief product officer Yahoo, said: "Online communication tools are an important part of people's lives - whether they're connecting with their friends and family, sharing pictures and videos, or keeping up on news across social networks." Yahoo isn't the only one trying to brake back into the online marketplace, however. MySpace has recently announced a major overhaul of its user interface as it attempts to claw back lost ground from its rival Facebook - which has become the first port of call for SEO agency embarking on social media-based website optimisation and search engine marketing strategies.
MySpace is offering users more interactive layouts and an increased focus on video content. Mike Jones, chief executive officer of MySpace, said: "This marks the beginning of an exciting turning point for MySpace."Our new strategy expands on MySpace's existing strengths - a deep understanding of social, a wealth of entertainment content and the ability to surface emerging cultural trends in real time through our users."
Both Yahoo and MySpace's strategies will undoubtedly have an impact on search engine optimisation, but whether they will strike fear into the hearts of Google and Facebook is open to debate.
