Yahoo opens up search platform

Website owners will soon be able to inject more information into their search results, as Yahoo plans to open up its search platform.

by Helen Leggatt

The days of plain text search results on Yahoo are coming to an end. Website owners will soon be able to create eye-catching results by injecting such elements as images, reviews and deep links using Yahoo's API.

Internet users who use a Yahoo Search plug-in created by a website owner will see enhanced listings when the publisher's site is returned in Yahoo search results.

The use of plug-ins won’t interfere with the order in which search results are presented, confirms Amit Kumar, director of product management for Yahoo Search. "This is not a paid relationship; it's all about relevance," he said.

However, for publishers who enhance their search listing to better direct and inform searchers to the most relevant information, the rise in click-through rates will, in turn, increase relevancy and improve search ranking.

Publishers who will be offering plug-ins at launch later this year include Yelp, the CondeNet network and BabyCenter.