LookSmart and Inktomi Corp. Monday formed an alliance to
develop and market customized search directories for vertical portals, and
intend to use the new creation as a standard for navigation.
Under the terms of the deal, (LOOK) LookSmart will adopt Inktomi’s search
engine and directory engine technology and will offer customized versions of
the directory. In return, (INKT) Inktomi will license and resell LookSmart’s
directory content as an addition to its recently launched Inktomi directory
engine.
“LookSmart and Inktomi have both played critical roles in the evolution of
Internet navigation and search,” said David Peterschmidt, president and chief executive officer
of Inktomi.
“We believe the combination of LookSmart’s editorial expertise
and our technology will create a tremendously valuable content
infrastructure for the emerging generation of specialized Web services.”
The two companies expect vertical portals to become the next popular
watershed for Internet users.
LookSmart has built directories for Japan, Korea, France, Singapore and New
Zealand, and is developing additional directories for seven more countries.