AOL Search Using Pure Inktomi Search Results

• Jan. 2, 2002

It seems that paying for inclusion in the Inktomi database has increased in importance substantially, as America Online's search service is now using Inktomi results exclusively. Up until now, AOL's search results were a mix of returns from Inktomi and the Open Directory project, making it difficult to ensure high rankings in AOL with high rankings in Inktomi alone. 

A 'pure' Inktomi search engine is available for use online at http://169.207.238.189/search/. It seems that any search performed simultaneously on this engine and AOL search will return identical results. As an example, try 'search engine positioning', and you will see that the AOL results mirror the Pure Search results precisely.

The latest numbers from Media Metrix show AOL as having an audience reach of 44.9% of web surfers, a number beaten only by Yahoo and MSN. With AOL now showing pure Inktomi results, any top rankings in Inktomi can be potentially found by this large group of internet users. While we have always considered paying for inclusion in the Inktomi database to be quite important, it is now practically essential.

Darren Downey
darren@searchengineposition.com