Ex-Yahooligan Ravi
Dronamraju noted a couple of months ago (I've only just seen it) a subtle but
important point about Yahoo's new Ajaxified homepage:
"This homepage dropped the concept of website directory completely. I guess the
transformation is complete. Yahoo! is now more about showing people in and around yahoo!
network and not about showing people what’s most useful on the web. Yahoo! is the
new AOL of the web…"
(emphasis mine)
I think the comparison to 90's AOL is a little unfair. Yahoo is using social tools like Y! Answers and MyWeb, along with web services and its developer network, to make external content an important part of its service. Also as one of Ravi's commenters pointed out, search long ago replaced the directory as the primary means of content discovery on the Web.
Nevertheless, it is an interesting point that the new Yahoo homepage links predominantly to Yahoo properties - rather than to external sources, as it did in the old days. The directory service is still there, but has been de-emphasized on the homepage:
Then:
The directory was a section on the homepage (albeit near the bottom)...and
...it was also featured as a search option
Now:
The directory is still one of the options hanging off the search box - but isn't
otherwise featured on the homepage
Perhaps it's just a sign of the times: directories of external websites are out, Yahoo media properties are in.
Comments
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This definitely makes you wonder if they'll be sending fewer people to external sites in the coming years. I have to think that's the case.
Posted by: Darren McLaughlin | July 12, 2006 4:52 AM
Yes, that is certainly a big change.
I think it speaks more that the web goes in cycles as it does that directories aren't important anymore (not that you were suggesting that).
I think that directories are still very important, but in more niche markets...podcasts, specific fields, etc. There is simply too much content to keep track of at a global level.
Posted by: Joshua Porter | July 12, 2006 7:45 AM
Maybe I'm missing the point here, but I don't see what the big deal is (or Dillyo). So, Yahoo dropped having a table of explicit categories in their directory. But the directory is still there -- the search for it is right front-and-center. And when you do search under "Directory" for something like "Science" it brings up the directory listings for that at the top of the search.
In my opinion, it's not a huge change -- more information architecture and layout that a huge shift in product design or strategy.
If only Google would do the same and put some links to the rest of their products on their damn site.
But as I say, maybe I'm missing the point...
Posted by: Ross Popoff-Walker | July 12, 2006 9:24 AM
I still think a directory is a great idea, as there are times when search just isn't cutting it. however the costs and people involved to maintain one these days is really high. Yahoo had been doing a mediocre to poor job of maintaining their directory.
Posted by: Ted | July 12, 2006 10:37 AM
Good that directory was dropped, it was useless anyway.
BTW, your redesign looks fine. However, using 'verdana' instead of 'tahoma' would be great. Also, too much red hurts my eyes. ;)
Posted by: Ebrahim | July 12, 2006 10:48 AM
Thanks Ebrahim :-)
Ross, you're right that's not a huge change. As I said, it's a subtle - but important - change. It's also been a gradual progression and it wouldn't surprise me if they drop the directory altogether soon. The significance of this is that Yahoo started its life as a Web directory. So once it finally gets rid of it, that may well complete their transformation into a media company.
Posted by: Richard MacManus | July 12, 2006 5:17 PM
Uh, where do you think the search box takes people? Searching the web is all about directing people to places other than Yahoo!
One thing about the new design is that search is even MORE prominent.
It's not about in or outside of Yahoo! It's about the way people get there. Directories are out. Search is in.....
Posted by: Joe Hayashi | July 12, 2006 11:59 PM
well, The first result in search is dedicated for yahoo products, the 2nd for my web.
The point I was trying to make was not about directory vs search. Instead it was more about being all about the web and getting people to the best content on the web. For business reasons, yahoo! is going to have to balance sending people away from the yahoo network vs sending them to best content.
It's a tough balancing act. Of course the tagline will be that yahoo! will always send users to the best content. People can judge how much yahoo is living up to the stated goals
Posted by: Ravi D | July 19, 2006 4:05 PM