Yep… Yahoo search marketing has updated their terms and conditions to include an automatic "optimization" for all advertiser’s ads, keywords, budgets and bids. This means that you, the advertiser, will have to manually opt out of this service via a written request and then they will only make "commercially reasonable efforts to reverse the changes…" Read below for the exact excerpt taken from Yahoo’s terms and conditions:
OPTIMIZATION. In the U.S. only, for those advertisers not bound by an Insertion Order, we may help you optimize your account(s). Accordingly, you expressly agree that we may also: (i) create ads, (ii) add and/or remove keywords, and/or (iii) optimize your account(s). We will notify you via email of such changes made to your account(s), and can also include a spreadsheet of such changes upon your written request. If you would like any of such changes reversed, please reply to such email within 14 days of the change(s), and we will make commercially reasonable efforts to reverse the change(s) you specifically identify. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you remain responsible for all changes made to your account(s), including all click charges incurred prior to any reversions being made. It is your responsibility to monitor your account(s) and to ensure that your account settings are consistent with your business objectives.
Can Yahoo actually believe that they know exactly what your clients need, want and can afford by simply inputting information into their "system?" There has been a lot of negative buzz going around about this change and we will have to wait and see what Yahoo will do in response to the negative reactions they are receiving from their paid search advertisers.
Maybe Google is the smarter choice???