China's Internet Watchdog to Issue New Online Web Directory Regulations
iFeng.com, 5/19/16
The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) recently announced that it will issue new regulations for online web directory content management, which may require web directories to adjust their ranking systems and also make sure that mainstream media websites are ranked appropriately.
A CAC representative said that website directories will be asked to adjust their auction- and traffic-based ranking systems, as well as ensure that mainstream media sites are ranked properly. Online website directories should also set up supervisory mechanisms, establish a system to edit links to news websites and content, and inspect the websites that they recommend.
Editor's Note: Online web directories, which saw their heyday in the US in the mid-to-late-90s until most users abandoned them in favor of search engines, continue to maintain major user bases in China. Some of the more popular Chinese online web directories include Baidu's (Nasdaq: BIDU) Hao123, Qihoo 360's (NYSE: QIHU) 360 Directory, and Sohu (Nasdaq: SOHU) subsidiary Sogou's 123 Sogou.
Keywords: Internet online web directory Cyberspace Administration of China regulation