• March 5, 2008

Yahoo has launched a program allowing site owners to build plug-ins for Yahoo Search.

Under the platform, consumers using a Yahoo Search plug-in created by a publisher will now receive enhanced listings when the site is returned on a Yahoo search results page. Publishers already onboard with the program include BabyCenter.com, the CondeNet network of sites, LinkedIn, and Yelp.

At least one industry insider doesn't foresee the Yahoo's efforts as having much impact in its ongoing battle with rival Google. "While this is a nice addition to the Yahoo user experience, it's not likely to gain Yahoo any market share or even reduce the market share loss to Google," said Martin Laetsch, senior director of search strategy at Web analytics provider Covario. Google has had a similar Subscribed Links program in place since 2006.

--Gavin O'Malley