Yahoo, once a leading figure in the digital world, has experienced significant transformation over the years. Initially launched as a directory of websites in 1994, it quickly grew into a major internet portal offering a variety of services, including email, news, and finance. At its peak, Yahoo was the go-to search engine and web portal for millions around the globe.

Key milestones in Yahoo's development:

  • 1994: Founded by Jerry Yang and David Filo as a directory of websites.
  • 1996: IPO launched, marking its official entry into the stock market.
  • 2000s: Acquisition of companies like GeoCities and Broadcast.com, expanding its web services.
  • 2017: Acquired by Verizon Communications, leading to its rebranding as part of Oath Inc.

"Yahoo once represented the internet's potential for simplicity and access to a vast array of content, but with time, it struggled to keep up with newer tech giants like Google and Facebook."

Despite its early dominance, Yahoo faced fierce competition from companies that adapted more swiftly to the changing tech landscape. The rise of Google in search and social media platforms like Facebook shifted user attention away from Yahoo’s services. Below is a table comparing Yahoo's historical revenue growth alongside key industry competitors.

Year Yahoo Revenue (in billions) Google Revenue (in billions) Facebook Revenue (in billions)
2000 1.0 0.3 N/A
2010 6.5 29.3 1.9
2020 5.0 182.5 86.0