Yahoo on Wednesday announced its decision to block Facebook and Google IDs from accessing its online services.
Reuters reported that Yahoo will gradually remove Facebook and Google sign-in buttons from the homepages of its services, including Flickr and Fantasy Sports. A Yahoo ID would then become mandatory for using these services.
"Yahoo is continually working on improving the user experience and the new process will allow us to offer the best personalized experience to everyone," stated a news release, according to Reuters.
There will most likely be a gradual phasing out, since Yahoo had not yet declared a time-frame. However, PC Magazine said that its efforts to sign in with Google produced a message that said: The Google ID you entered is not associated with a Yahoo account. To continue, you now need to create a Yahoo account."
CNET said that the first service that will restrict access to users with Yahoo ID will be Yahoo Sports Tourney Pick'Em up. Flickr and Fantasy Sports are expected to follow soon after. A Yahoo spokesperson said that changes to Tourney sign in process began on Monday, but others services could still be accessed with Google or Facebook IDs, according to Reuters.
The move is seen as the latest change from Yahoo's CEO Marrisa Mayer to improve the company's operations, according to the Telegraph. It should also be noted that the decision to block Google and Facebook sign in essentially reverses the decision former Yahoo CEO Carol Bartz made in 2010 and 2011.
In related developments, Quartz on Wednesday reported that in order to solve talent problems in the company, Yahoo has been on an acquisition spree. In fact, Yahoo has acquired nearly 37 companies since Mayer took over in September 2012. The $ 1.1 billion buying of microblogging site Tumblr has been Yahoo's biggest purchase.
