Learning from the Big Guys
Yahoo! partners are using APIs in creative ways
In addition to our self-serve advertising platform, the Yahoo! Publisher Network acts as a one-stop for all things publishing. And, we’re developing new services all the time, including business, search, content and social media services.
Some of the latest of these have been implemented among what we call our “strategic partners”—these are large, non-self-service partners such as Nikon and ESPN Sports Travel. We’re sharing some examples of these implementations with you so you could see for yourself how publishers can benefit from these services—and gauge your interest in learning more.
Yahoo! Shopping API
Gourmetfoods101.com uses the Yahoo! Shopping API in a way that’s similar to Sponsored Search. The partner makes a request, (e.g., a search on products) and an XML feed is delivered that allows the partner to integrate the content into its site. When a user clicks on a product link that goes to the advertiser’s site, the partner earns a portion of the revenue.
For more on Yahoo! Shopping APIs, visit the Web Services page on Yahoo! Developer Network.
Yahoo! Maps
ESPN Sports Travel uses the Yahoo! Maps API to deliver a media-rich content experience that includes satellite imagery, giving golfers a much better feel for a given course than a static map would. Duffers planning their round can zoom in, zoom out and navigate around via click and drag. Detailed information can also be plotted: For example, restaurant locations can be displayed, and clicking on the location can generate a pop-up with contact information and hours of operation.
ESPN Sports Travel Golf Course Viewer
For more about Yahoo! Maps APIs, visit the Maps Web Services page on Yahoo! Developer Network.
Yahoo! Answers
SmallBizResource (SBR), an online repository of information for small business, utilizes the Yahoo Answers API to let users help one another, foster community and drive retention. The API allows users to search questions and find answers right from the SmallBizResource.com interface.
In addition, Answers.com recently added Yahoo! Answers content across the site, including on topic pages.
For more about Yahoo! Answers APIs, visit the Answers Web Services page on Yahoo! Developer Network.
Flickr
Nikon, a well-known name in photography, makes extensive use of the Flickr API on its Stunning Gallery promotional site. The implementation, which employs Flash, lets users easily scroll through photographs and zoom in and zoom out via Flickr while remaining on the Stunning Gallery site. Users can click on any photo and be taken to Flickr to learn more about it.
For more about how to use the Flickr API, and to view more examples, visit the Flickr Services page.
Interested in hearing more about how our strategic partners are creatively implementing Yahoo! Services? Leave a comment and let us know.
—Mike Vargas, Director, Product Marketing and Michael Mattis, Blog Editor
| Post Comment | categories:: Features, How-to's
December 9th, 2006 at 11:14 am
I like the concept of Yahoo! Shopping API and how well is integrated into Gourmetfoods101.com. Now, you mentioned that if a user clicks on a product link, it will get a portion of a revenue. Will a publiser get a portion of the revenue from sale or from click?
December 12th, 2006 at 12:00 pm
Daniel,
Yahoo! Shopping works in a similar fashion to Content Match and Sponsored Search. When a user clicks on a product link that directs back to the advertiser’s web site, a Cost Per Click (CPC)is paid by the advertiser. That money is split between the publisher and Yahoo! Note that some links go to a product comparison page, rather than directly to the advertiser’s site. In this case, a CPC is not paid until one of the links on the product comparison page is selected.
also, with Yahoo! Shopping the CPC is based on a set cost per product category. It’s not a bidded model.
December 15th, 2006 at 11:07 am
Could someone please tell me, is it possible to add the Yahoo search bar to my site and get credit from the sponsored ads, when clicked on? Instead of using the Content Match?