When you use AltaVista to find the answers to your search questions, you may see an additional feature in your search results. If you see a box like the one below you are viewing "AV Relevant Paid Links".

What is the AV Relevant Paid Link program?

The Paid Link Program represents a new highly relevant search feature and an advertising program rolled into one. Webmasters will have the opportunity, through auction, to bid on getting their sites placed at the top of the search results. These paid links are clearly marked and labeled so that you can identify the AV Relevant Paid Links and distinguish them from the regular search results. The initial rollout is limited to a small number of keywords. The number of paid links is limited to a maximum of two.

View a sample of the new results page.

Read the AV Relevant Paid Links press release

Frequently asked questions

What is the benefit to the user of this new program?

Users have clearly indicated that companies most willing to pay for an AV Relevant Paid Link correlates well with users' interest in getting to the information they seek in the fastest, most relevant fashion. Simply put, those companies willing to pay the most are highly likely to have information relevant to the users' interests. 

In addition, paid links go a long way toward mitigating "spamming", whereby companies attempt to "force" their results to the top of the AltaVista search results page. 

How does a user know which search results are paid for and which are not?

AV Relevant Paid Links are clearly marked and labeled. AltaVista is making it very clear to our user, that the Paid Link area is paid for by sponsors. The result will be clearly marked "AV Relevant Paid Links" and put in a box to separate it from the regular search results. 

Q: Why do you call this advertising program a user feature as well?

A: AV Relevant Paid Links must be directly relevant to the query sold. The results written up must show how they are directly relevant to the query and must take the user directly to that part of the web site that pertains to the query. An editorial process has been established to ensure compliance. 

Consumers have reacted in a positive manner to this additional feature in usability testing. In some cases for common queries, these users indicate AV Relevent Paid Links as more relevant than the traditional search results. 

Q: How do I get a paid link?

A: This program is managed for AltaVista by DoubleClick. As the program rolls out over the next month all interest in purchasing a paid link should be directed to this information request form.

Starting in June, the Paid Link Program will be available through an on-line auction.