The Yahoo Saga. Yahoo! 1: Yahoo will unveil a new Inktomi that is larger, faster, and more initially providing spotty relevancy results. It will contain a lot of spam but this will be fixed quickly.
Yahoo! 2: Yahoo will make a move to replace dmoz/ODP across all sites using any Inktomi index feeds as well as Overture results. The big win for Yahoo is that the directory is once again of value and that it will be used.
Yahoo! 3: Trusted feeds will be better controlled, but their results will be given a ranking boost in the non-sponsored area in apparent violation of FTC guidelines. Expect some legal issues here.
Yahoo! 4: Inktomi will have a new algorithm and while it will have some relevancy wins, it will likewise have some failures. Overall it edges up on the "I like the results" scale by the end of 1Q04.
Yahoo! 5: Big winner in geo-targeting area.
Bruce Clay
http://www.bruceclay.com