This is very disappointing to me. Several of my web apps depend on the API it for their real-time data needs. Pricegrabber is not a replacement. I suppose this means I'm collaterally going to shut down my own services as well. A big sarcastic "thanks" goes out to the Yahoo team for this.

@Ian have you tried the Amazon api? it's pretty good. Also, with Yahoo YQL, pretty much any site provides an real-time data API whether they know it or not.

I hope this new "improved" Yahoo doesn't start cutting its innovative services like YQL, Delicious and its other developer tools. what's next on the chopping block?

FYI, this annoucement just made it on the WebmasterWorld home page:
http://www.webmasterworld.com/yahoo-corp/4058382.htm

Shopzilla.com and Google Gbase offer similar functionality, although Yahoo was the best API. This is really stupid to cut off developers like this. So arrogant and self-destructive. Yahoo, you're like the drugged out friend who I love but know will eventually kill himself on an OD.

@johnny bones, we have no plans to shut down YQL nor the Delicious API.

Robyn Tippins
Community Manager, YDN

It was just a matter of time with the way the company is going, I started using the Smarter.com API which is pretty good.

>@johnny bones, we have no plans to shut down YQL nor the Delicious API yet.

FTFY

Sorry to be a bit pessimistic, but with the various API and service killing sprees going on and little communication about what the end goal is, it's very hard for anyone to trust that any service or API that Yahoo offers currently will continue to exist. I don't want to spread any FUD, but it seems you're doing a fine job of that yourself. Can we get some guidance on what services are going to be terminated or should we just forgo relying on Yahoo APIs in favor of other longer lived solutions?

also, look at the shopping.com api as an alternative- far better in terms of $ that yahoo, more coverage and functionality than pricegrabbers anyway.

this should not be surprising at all- yahoo shopping has been looking for alternatives for a while and hasn't invested in this api on the same level as true shopping providers. Aol outsourced years ago...

the shame of it is, yahoo could kill in this space. let thousands of developers loose on your assets with a revenue share. this is so dumb and sad.

Lawsuit! Our business depended on your API and this is obviously unfair and violates the small business squashing laws. All businesses victimized by these actions should join together and file legal action to seek damages.

That is the downside of basing your business (or app) on somebody else' data. Hope Google and Microsoft will not do the same with their APIs in the future. Keep your finger crossed.

Past 10 years I am using yahoo services.I really surprised why Yahoo moving downwards.Sell their API to PriceGrabber and Tie Up with Microsoft Search Engine.I feel sorry.This is very disappointing to me.
Thanks.
Technology News

I suspect this decision came from Microsoft and not Yahoo, since it's specifically the shopping API that was closed. I guess since Bing has released its API, they considered this overlap? I'm just guessing here. But speaking as someone who has not net integrated Yahoo advertising / local marketing services into our platform - is it even worth my time? Or should i simply stay with Goog and Msft for anything related to product / advertising / marketing API services?

we are also very confused by this.

Is the European Kelkoo API affected?

A lot of parts of our Business depend on Yahoo APIs, so we are scared to loose this!
Do you really continue your services or should we better partner with Google?
Felix

@Felix Weber - Kelkoo is no longer owned by Yahoo!, so this doesn't affect the Kelkoo API.

Robyn Tippins
Community Manager, YDN

Dear Yahoo Shopping Team,

I think you have grossly underestimated the consequences of this decision on your business as a whole. You can only bite the hand that feeds you so many times.

We've gone into a bit more detail about the decision and about our commitments to Open. See here: http://developer.yahoo.net/blog/archives/2010/01/some_facts_about_the_yahoo_shopping_api_shutdown_announcement.html

We have suggested some alternatives to the Yahoo! Shopping API here:

http://www.comparisonfocus.com/shopping/yahoo-shopping-api-alternatives/