Yahoo to Block Social Log-Ins From Facebook and Google
Yahoo will soon require users of the website's services to register for Yahoo IDs. The new sign-in shakeup is chief executive Marissa Mayer's latest idea to boost revenue for the site.
Yahoo will soon require users of the website's services to register for Yahoo IDs. The new sign-in shakeup is chief executive Marissa Mayer's latest idea to boost revenue for the site.
Yahoo will prevent users from signing into its services using Google or Facebook accounts, saying instead they will need Yahoo IDs.
Yahoo revealed the news to Betanews, saying that it will roll out the new log-in process gradually, a process that will require users of the website’s services to register for Yahoo IDs rather than logging in with Facebook or Google accounts.
Yahoo said, “We’d like to let you know about an upcoming change to Yahoo Fantasy’s sign-in experience. In March, Yahoo Fantasy will begin asking everyone to sign in with a Yahoo username to access their teams, rosters, brackets, and more. Eventually Facebook and Google sign-in options will be removed.”
In removing the Facebook and Google sign-in features, Yahoo chief executive (CEO) Marissa Mayer is canning a strategy that Yahoo adopted in 2010 at the direction of then CEO Carol Bartz.
Yahoo said that the new process will allow it to offer a better experience to its customers, saying that it is “continually working on improving the user experience” and adding that the new process will allow it to offer “the best personalized experience to everyone.” It will also allow for easier password recovery and faster customer support, according to the firm.
This shift is also likely part of Mayer’s plans to reclaim the website’s presence on the Internet and revive its stalling revenues. The move will also see users handing over their details directly to Yahoo, rather than its competitors, and could help the firm target its customers better.
While this all sounds well and good, we suspect that it won’t go down well with those who are concerned about their privacy, with Yahoo being susceptible to hacking attacks.
Yahoo has yet to reveal whether all of its services such as Tumblr and Flickr will require a Yahoo ID, but has said that Yahoo Sports Tourney Pick’em, a service focused on the NCAA college basketball tournament, will require Yahoo IDs later this month.
Yahoo presents more details about the log-in switch here.
This article was originally published on the Inquirer.