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IP: Yahoo diversifies revenue stream, cedes right to free speech:: Good Morning Silicon Valley Wed Jan 03 11:45:12 EST 2001
From: Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>
Date: Wed, 03 Jan 2001 20:37:54 -0500
Yahoo diversifies revenue stream, cedes right to free speech: In an effort to diversify its income and to rely less on advertising, Yahoo Monday said it will begin <http://www0.mercurycenter.com/svtech/news/indepth/docs/yahoo010301.htm>charging for listings on its auction Web site. Those wishing to sell items through Yahoo Auctions will have to pay a fee based on the value of the item being sold. Yahoo apparently believes such a policy will increase the quality of its listings. "Influential Merrill Lynch analyst" <http://www0.mercurycenter.com/svtech/news/breaking/internet/docs/803031l.htm>Henry Blodget hailed Yahoo's decision as prudent, noting that while "many sellers on Yahoo auctions will likely pack their bags and hoof it over to eBay or Amazon when fees are added... Yahoo auctions will still be cheaper than eBay's and Amazon's because Yahoo doesn't yet charge a success fee."
In related news, the search directory giant also ceded its First Amendment right to host auctions of objectionable material, and said it would no longer allow items that "promote or glorify hatred and violence" to be listed on any of its commerce properties, thereby bring an abrupt end to its longstanding pitched battle with the French government. For archives see: http://www.interesting-people.org/
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- IP: Yahoo diversifies revenue stream, cedes right to free speech:: Good Morning Silicon Valley Wed Jan 03 11:45:12 EST 2001 Dave Farber (Jan 03)