IP: Yahoo diversifies revenue stream, cedes right to free speech:: Good Morning Silicon Valley Wed Jan 03 11:45:12 EST 2001

[Dave Farber <farber@cis.upenn.edu>]

>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.



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