ITV unites with Yahoo! for search role

The landmark deal will see a Yahoo search box on every page contained within itv.com, including microsites for I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!.

Users will be able to search the rest of the internet, via Yahoo!’s search engine, alongside itv.com through the facility.

Furthermore Yahoo! will also provide internet paid-for listings, through the Overture facility, direct to the pages returned to the user following an individual search.

Rob Jonas, head of business development at Yahoo! Search, UK & Ireland, said: “This agreement demonstrates the growing strength of our search technology, as well as our commitment to work with partners to deliver compelling search user experiences.

“This should be the first of what we hope will be many agreements with popular online properties.”

Part of the deal will also see ITV programming and links to ITV material plugged on Yahoo!’s pages.

The deal is also likely to extend to other areas, with ITV looking to open up other opportunities between the pair.

Jeremy Rosenberg, online sales account manager at ITV Sales, said: “The ITV integrated search partnership with Yahoo is the first time ITV.com has fully embraced all elements of search functionalities.

“The integrated approach will be setup within the look and feel of each ITV section and searches will be tailored to our user profile and habits to ensure optimisation and relevancy.

“ITV are looking forward to building the partnership with Yahoo and to look at other opportunities.”

By Kevin May

This article was first published on Media Week