Yahoo Takes One More Step Away From Competing In Paid Search

Jul 24, 2008 at 8:49am ET by Barry Schwartz

Yahoo! Search Marketing AmbassadorI reported earlier that Yahoo wasn’t allowing new advertisers to join the Yahoo Ambassador program, but it seems much worse then that. I reported at the Search Engine Roundtable and we have reports at PPC Hero that Yahoo is closing down the whole program as of September 30th.

Yahoo sent their ambassadors emails that read:

The Yahoo! Ambassador program was specifically developed to help marketers drive sales leads to their clients. For the last four years, Yahoo! has made an effort to enhance the program to provide the greatest added value to our users. After a thorough evaluation of the program, we have decided to discontinue the program. The Ambassador Program, except for the limited use of the Ambassador Logo as noted below, shall be terminated as of September 30, 2008.

They are completely closing down the program but allowing advertisers currently in the program to continue to use the logo, for an unspecified amount of time.

As I suggested, this seems like Yahoo is taking steps to close up shop. Are they possibly considering a stronger search ad deal with Google?

The Ambassador program was about providing a certification process for advertisers. This would give businesses the confidence they need to sign up with an SEM company to manage their Yahoo campaigns. Ambassadors also received extra support from Yahoo in terms of sales and education material.

It is a shame to see this program close down.


Barry Schwartz is Search Engine Land's News Editor and owns RustyBrick, a NY based web consulting firm. He also runs Search Engine Roundtable, a popular search blog on very advanced SEM topics. Barry's personal blog is named Cartoon Barry and he can be followed on Twitter here.

See more articles by Barry Schwartz >

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