Lets Know about Yahoo
Yahoo’s journey is a reflection of the dynamic nature of the internet industry. While it faced setbacks and challenges, Yahoo’s legacy includes pioneering contributions to the early internet era. Its diverse portfolio of products and services continues to impact users worldwide, albeit in a changed digital landscape.
Founder of Yahoo
- Jerry Yang
- David Filo
History and Founding
Yahoo’s journey began at Stanford University, where Yang and Filo created a simple website directory named “Jerry and David’s Guide to the World Wide Web.” As the directory expanded, it was renamed Yahoo, which stands for “Yet Another Hierarchical Officious Oracle.” In 1995, Yahoo was incorporated, marking the official start of the company’s remarkable history.
Key Products and Services
1. Yahoo Search
Yahoo Search was once a dominant player in the search engine landscape. However, it gradually lost ground to competitors like Google. Despite this, Yahoo Search continues to exist, providing web search results and powering Yahoo’s broader ecosystem.
2. Yahoo Mail
Yahoo Mail is one of the company’s enduring successes. With millions of users worldwide, Yahoo Mail offers email services with features such as spam filters, customization options, and a user-friendly interface.
3. Yahoo Finance
Yahoo Finance has become a go-to platform for financial news, stock quotes, and market insights. It provides a comprehensive view of global financial markets and is a valuable resource for investors.
4. Yahoo News
As a major digital media outlet, Yahoo News delivers breaking news, feature stories, and a wide range of content across various categories. It attracts a substantial audience seeking diverse news coverage.
5. Yahoo Sports
Catering to sports enthusiasts, Yahoo Sports offers coverage of live events, scores, and updates on various sports. Fantasy sports leagues hosted by Yahoo Sports have also gained popularity.
6. Oath Inc. (now Verizon Media)
In 2017, Yahoo merged with AOL to form Oath Inc., a subsidiary of Verizon Communications. This union aimed to create a digital media powerhouse with a diverse portfolio of brands, including HuffPost, Engadget, and TechCrunch.
Notable Milestones
1. Dot-com Boom and IPO
Yahoo played a pivotal role in the dot-com boom of the late 1990s. Its Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 1996 was a landmark event, solidifying its status as a major player in the burgeoning internet industry.
2. Alibaba Investment
One of Yahoo’s most strategic moves was investing in Alibaba Group in 2005. This investment proved immensely lucrative, as Alibaba became a global e-commerce giant. Yahoo’s stake in Alibaba significantly contributed to its financial success.
3. Security Breaches
Yahoo faced challenges in the form of security breaches. In 2013 and 2014, the company experienced two major data breaches, compromising the personal information of millions of users. These incidents raised concerns about cybersecurity and user privacy.
Challenges and Transformations
1. Decline in Search Dominance
Yahoo’s decline as a search engine can be attributed to the rise of Google. Despite efforts to innovate and collaborate, Yahoo struggled to maintain its search market share.
2. Management Changes
The company went through a series of leadership changes, reflecting the challenges it faced. Marissa Mayer’s tenure as CEO marked an attempt at revitalization, but the expected turnaround did not materialize.
3. Verizon Acquisition and Restructuring
Verizon Communications acquired Yahoo in 2017 and merged it with AOL to form Oath Inc., later rebranded as Verizon Media. This move aimed to create synergies, but challenges persisted in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Chief executive officers
- Jim Lanzone, CEO of Yahoo Inc. (2021–present)
- Guru Gowrappan, CEO of Oath Inc., Verizon Media, and Yahoo (2018–2021)
- Tim Armstrong, CEO of Oath Inc. (2017–2018)
- Marissa Mayer (2012–2017)
- Ross Levinsohn Interim (2012)
- Scott Thompson (2012)
- Tim Morse Interim (2011–2012)
- Carol Bartz (2009–2011)
- Jerry Yang (2007–2009)
- Terry Semel (2001–2007)
- Timothy Koogle (1995–2001)
