Google, Yahoo, Microsoft to Use Same Web Indexing Tool

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Search engine leaders Google, Yahoo and Microsoft have said they have agreed to increase Internet interoperability by adopting the same web indexing tool. The decision helps webmasters ensure that their sites can be found on each search engine.

Google Sitemaps protocol, a year-old indexing tool, will become the standard for all three companies.

Website operators can use the indexing tool to manually feed their sites to Google and then check to see if their sites have been crawled. Yahoo and Microsoft have similar products, but the decision to unify efforts will allow webmasters to cut down on duplicated efforts, according to Yahoo Director of Product Management Tim Mayer.

“We thought it would be great for publishers and webmasters to be able to submit their content in one format for all the different search engines," Mayer said. "We are proposing the format together and inviting other search engines to adopt it."

According to Mayer, the initial idea came out of cooperation between Yahoo and Google, with Microsoft joining soon after to launch the triumvirate.

"Windows Live Search is happy to be working with Google and Yahoo on Sitemaps to not only help webmasters, but also help consumers by delivering more relevant search results so they can find what they're looking for faster," Windows Live Search General Manager Ken Moss said. "I am sure this will be the first of many industry initiatives you will see us working and collaborating on."

Manual webpage submission is a supplement to the traditional web crawling method.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

FSC Publishes Analysis of Federal Trade Commission Event Promoting AV

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published an analysis of a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) event held this week that promoted age verification among other forms of speech regulation.

GirlsDoPorn Owner Michael Pratt Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking

Michael Pratt, former owner of the rogue website GirlsDoPorn, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California on Thursday to sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking charges, according to a report by City News Service.

Master Nico Relaunches Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Master Nico has relaunched his official website through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Federal Judge Grants Partial Halt of Florida AV Law

The United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Tallahassee Division, has granted a preliminary injunction against HB 3, the state's age verification law, as a lawsuit filed by two online trade associations challenging the law makes its way through the courts.

Aylo Releases Statement on Suspending Access to Pornhub in France

Technology and media company Aylo, which operates adult sites including Pornhub, YouPorn, and Redtube, has released a public statement regarding its decision to block access to its sites in France.

Pineapple Support to Host Wellness Sessions at Bucharest Summit

Pineapple Support is hosting free group and one-on-one therapy sessions at Bucharest Summit, June 3-5.

Pornhub Blocks Access in France in Response to SREN Law

Pornhub parent company Aylo has opted to block access to its sites in France rather than comply with age verification requirements under the country’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law.

ASACP Highlights Study on Parental Controls

The Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP) is highlighting the results of a study on the underutilization of parental controls.

Sydney Screams Launches New Site Through Grooby's Blue.xxx

Sydney Screams has launched her new membership site, SydneyScreams.xxx, through Grooby's website management company Blue.xxx.

Mistress Mystii Is LoyalFans' 'Featured Creator' for June

LoyalFans has named Mistress Mystii as its Featured Creator for June.

Show More