Yell.com offers free classified ads in UGC deal with Oodle

Yell.com already has a searchable database of 2m businesses and the move is designed to improve this offering. Users will need to register on the site to post their ad, but registration is not necessary to search the classifieds and view results.

It will vastly expand user-generated content on Yell's classified channel and provide access to second-hand goods, job listings, accommodation listings, pet merchandise and event tickets.

Eddie Cheng, president of Yell.com, said: "The internet is a marketplace for everyone, consumers and businesses alike, and we are always ready to try new approaches to ensure that Yell.com is a key destination for web users.

"Our visitors can now search, buy and sell in an easy-to-use, trusted environment, and Yell.com visitors will benefit from the enlarged content base on the site."

Duncan Dunlop, general manager of Oodle UK, said: "There is no doubt that classifieds and business listings are converging online.

"By combining our classifieds listings index, the largest and freshest in the UK, with their existing data, Yell has stolen a lead on the market and is well positioned to capitalise on this trend."

Classifieds results are available via a link on the home page, a promotional slot on the results page, and as a standalone site at www.classifieds.yell.com.

Last month, Yell.com has revamped its site with new maps, search and site content as part of an ongoing strategy to reposition the site as a hub for information.

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