AltaVista Unveils Increased Search Relevancy
Two Paid Placements to Enhance User Experience
Through More Relevant Search Returns
PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 15, 1999-- AltaVista Company, a wholly owned subsidiary
of Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE:CPQ - news), today announced the addition of AV Relevant
Paid Placements to the popular AltaVista Internet guide ( altavista.com ). The addition of two
AV Relevant Paid Placements per AltaVista search results page will increase the relevancy of the
AltaVista search returns and reduce the desire of web sites to attempt ''spamming'' to gain high priority
in AltaVista search results pages.
''At AltaVista, we are intent on delivering the most useful and relevant Internet search experience to our
users,'' said Rod Schrock, President & CEO, AltaVista Company. ''Our user research told us that a
small number of paid placements actively contributes to the goal of delivering fastest time to relevant
search results. By offering two clearly identified paid placements, we are delivering a win:win for our
users. They gain the increased relevance of paid placements combined with the industry-leading web
search results of AltaVista.''
Designed to maximize exposure of large and small content providers, the AV Relevant Paid Placements
program uniquely combines more relevant search results with targeted advertising beyond banner ads.
Through this new offering, webmasters will have the opportunity to purchase, through auction, one of two
placements on relevant keywords. When a specific keyword is queried on AltaVista, the results page is
returned with the AV Relevant Paid Placements incorporated above the search index results. Clearly
marked and labeled ''Paid Placements'', users can easily distinguish between AltaVista's traditional
search results and the new paid placements. AltaVista will maintain strict editorial controls to ensure
that the paid placements are highly relevant to the information sought by AltaVista users.
''We have conducted extensive user research prior to implementing this program, with the goal of
delivering the highest quality user experience,'' said Celia Francis, Director of Marketing. ''We view this
new program as a great new way to quickly find quality, highly relevant results. We feel it is a great
complement to the core index results, Ask AltaVista, AV Related searches, and other unique
capabilities already incorporated into our results pages.''
How it works
Working with DoubleClick, AltaVista's advertising partner, the program will begin on April 19 with an
auction of keywords, providing one paid placement per query initially and expanding to two paid
placements per query as the program rolls out. To start, placements will run for a two-week period, then
the keyword will be returned for auction.
Auctioned keywords must be relevant to the site and must take the user directly to the part of the web
site that pertains to the query. All auction queries will be editorially reviewed to determine relevance and
continually monitored during this period.
Information about paid placements can be found at www.altavista.com.
AltaVista Leads the Industry
Launched in 1995, AltaVista is the most powerful and useful guide to the Internet. A pioneer in Web
search technology, AltaVista continues to set new standards, from indexing the entire Internet, to
providing the first of their kind language translation, AV Photo & Media Finder and AV Family Filter
search capabilities. With an extensive line-up of content and services, AltaVista is now regarded as one
of the top destinations on the Internet.
AltaVista continues to build upon its heritage through extensive enhancements and industry-leading
partnerships to make the Internet relevant, fast and effective for Web users of all proficiency levels. For
more information, visit AltaVista's flagship site at altavista.com or av.com.
Company Background
AltaVista Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Compaq Computer Corporation. A Fortune Global
100 company, Compaq is the second largest computer company in the world and the largest global
supplier of personal computers. Compaq develops and markets hardware, software, solutions, and
services, including industry-leading enterprise computing solutions, fault-tolerant business-critical
solutions, networking and communication products, commercial desktop and portable products and
consumer PCs. The company is an industry leader in environmentally friendly programs and business
practices.
Compaq products are sold and supported in more than 100 countries through a network of authorized
Compaq marketing partners. Customer support and information about Compaq and its products are on
the World Wide Web at compaq.com.
Compaq, Registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Product names mentioned herein may be
trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Contact:
Compaq Computer Corporation
Eileen Quinn, 408/285-9272
eileen.quinn@compaq.com
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