New Service Allows Businesses to Submit Large Numbers of Web Pages Directly to AltaVista's Index

SILICON VALLEY, Calif., August 16, 2001—AltaVista, the leading global search company at http://www.altavista.com/, has announced today the launch of its Trusted Feed program, which allows businesses to submit 500 or more URLs via an XML (eXtensible Markup Language) feed directly into AltaVista's index of millions of Web pages. These URLs, which may also be added to AltaVista's vertical search categories and multimedia index, will be refreshed on a weekly basis, ensuring the most current content is available to AltaVista's users.

The new service, whose customers already include eBay, Amazon, BizRate, Performics, and GlobalSpec, offers unprecedented control over the content that is included in AltaVista's index. For the first time, partners can feed URLs in XML format directly to AltaVista. By utilizing AltaVista's relevancy algorithms and information provided in the XML feed, AltaVista will continue its commitment to deliver the most relevant and up-to-date results. Additionally, partners receive detailed performance reporting for each URL submitted.

"With AltaVista Trusted Feed, we are giving businesses a new way to manage their URLs and content, while increasing the quality of our index and results," said Chris Kermoian, director of Search Services and Web Marketing Services. "By analyzing the detailed web page information provided by our customers, AltaVista is offering users a more accurate snapshot of each search result, ultimately enhancing the search experience. "

By providing a direct feed to AltaVista's index, this new service is also an ideal solution for submitting web pages that are traditionally difficult for crawlers to index, such as framed pages and pages with dynamic content. Customers also have the option of submitting custom titles, keywords, and descriptions for each URL, although all URLs are still subject to AltaVista's standard submission guidelines.

Pricing for the Trusted Feed program varies depending on the type of content offered by the website and is based on a cost-per-click model. AltaVista Trusted Feed customers may submit a new feed each week.