Yahoo’s stake in Yahoo Japan is often cited as one of its most valuable assets, and indeed Yahoo is considering selling it as a quick fix to appease angry shareholders in the U.S.
http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/08/23/3-reasons-why-the-internet-in-japan-is-ruled-by-one-single-company-yahoo/
Yahoo Inc. will let its Web visitors decline ads targeted to their browsing habits, becoming the latest Internet company to break from a common industry practice as Congress steps up scrutiny of customized advertising and consumer privacy. Yahoo said Friday it now would extend that option to ads displayed on its own sites, to boost users’ trust.
http://www.aol.com.au/news/story/Yahoo-to-let-visitors-decline-more-targeted-ads/828031/index.html
RomulusNR writes “Yahoo has stopped delivering This Is True, Randy Cassingham’s 14-year-old mailing list, because too many Yahoo readers have mistakenly or carelessly flagged it as spam. Yahoo readers make up over 10% of True’s readership, slashing the ad revenue that keeps it going. And Yahoo doesn’t negotiate with spammers. As Randy describes it: ‘The yahoos… ask to be put on True’s distribution, then confirm that request, and… then click the “This is Spam” button when they don’t recognize the mailing or simply don’t want it anymore. Yes, those yahoos have screwed thousands upon thousands of others who really do want my newsletter. Too bad: Yahoo is listening to the yahoos instead: they’re blocking it. To them, we’re “spammers” and no protestations from “spammers” count.’ The irony is that This is True is one of the first profitable mailing lists, predating Yahoo! Mail by almost three years.”
Yahoo has begun using its SearchMonkey technology be default to give more prominence and potentially usefulness to search results involving LinkedIn contacts, Yelp reviews of businesses, and local companies.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10004461-2.html
DrEnter writes “According to this article, Yahoo will offer some compensation after they turn off their DRM servers and Yahoo Music customers’ will no longer be able to access their music. The company said Wednesday it is offering coupons on request for people to buy songs again through Yahoo’s new partner, RealNetworks Inc.’s Rhapsody. Those songs will be in the MP3 format, free of copy protection. Refunds are available for users who “have serious problems with this arrangement,” Yahoo said. Nice to see them step-up and do something, especially without trading one DRM scheme for another.”