Yahoo is a well-known internet company that has played a significant role in the history of the internet. Here's an overview of the history of Yahoo:
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Founding and Early Years (1994-1995): Yahoo was founded by Jerry Yang and David Filo, two Stanford University students, in January 1994. Originally called "Jerry and David's Guide to the World Wide Web," it started as a hobby to compile a directory of websites. The website gained popularity quickly and was incorporated as Yahoo! Inc. in March 1995.
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Rise to Prominence (1995-2000): In its early years, Yahoo expanded its services beyond the directory. It introduced a web portal that offered a wide range of content, including news, email, instant messaging, and more. Yahoo became one of the most popular websites on the internet, attracting millions of users. The company went public in April 1996 with a highly successful initial public offering (IPO).
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Diversification and Acquisitions (2000-2008): During the dot-com boom of the late 1990s and early 2000s, Yahoo continued to grow and diversify its offerings. It expanded into various areas, including online advertising, e-commerce, and online services. Yahoo made numerous acquisitions during this period, including popular websites like GeoCities, Broadcast.com, and Flickr.
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Challenges and Leadership Changes (2008-2017): In 2008, Yahoo faced challenges as it struggled to compete with Google in search advertising. The company experienced declining revenue and underwent several leadership changes. In 2009, Yahoo entered into a partnership with Microsoft, with Bing becoming the default search engine for Yahoo's web properties. In 2012, Marissa Mayer, a former Google executive, became Yahoo's CEO, but despite her efforts, the company faced ongoing struggles.
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Acquisition by Verizon and Altaba (2017-2019): In 2016, Yahoo disclosed two massive data breaches that affected hundreds of millions of user accounts, which impacted its reputation and led to a decrease in the company's value. As a result, Verizon Communications acquired Yahoo's operating business for $4.48 billion in 2017. After the acquisition, Yahoo's core internet business merged with AOL to form Oath Inc., a subsidiary of Verizon.
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Verizon Media and Further Changes (2019-2021): In 2019, Verizon rebranded Oath Inc. as Verizon Media Group, which included Yahoo, AOL, HuffPost, and other media properties. Despite efforts to revive the Yahoo brand, the company faced challenges in the highly competitive digital advertising market. In 2021, Verizon announced selling off its media group, which included Yahoo, to Apollo Global Management, a private equity firm.
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