Yahoo said yesterday it reached a deal with Adobe Systems to distribute the Yahoo Search toolbar with Adobe software.
The pact calls for Adobe Reader, the free software used to read PDF files, to include a Yahoo search box. The companies also will release a co-branded search toolbar that lets users create PDF files. Adobe will bundle the toolbar with new product downloads and updates. Adobe users will be able to opt out from receiving the toolbar.
“This relationship is about helping users better interact and manage their content online,” said Stephanie Ichinose, a Yahoo spokeswoman.
The deal could greatly expand the reach of Yahoo Search by tapping into the 500 million copies of Adobe Reader downloaded by Internet users. Beginning this week, Adobe users will receive update notices that include the Yahoo toolbar.
Yahoo and Google have added several services to their toolbars to drive searches. Yahoo's toolbar features pop-up blocking and anti-spyware software as well as one-click access to an array of Yahoo services. Future versions of the Yahoo-Adobe toolbar will let users convert Web pages into PDF documents.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
