AltaVista Sets New Standards With Launch of 'My AltaVista' and 'AltaVista Finance'; New Media Services Offer Quickest Access to Comprehensive, Relevant Personal and Financial Information.

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 15, 1999--

Strong Marketing and Promotional Campaign Slated for Introduction

AltaVista Company today announced the immediate availability of My AltaVista (http://my.altavista.com) and AltaVista Finance (http://finance.altavista.com), new offerings that provide the fastest, most comprehensive access to services that allow web-savvy users to better manage their lives and their finances.

Through a combination of AltaVista's world-leading technology and its 'best of the Web' partnerships, My AltaVista and AltaVista Finance set new standards in delivering the most relevant, personalized information to users with speed, convenience and ease of use.

"My AltaVista and AltaVista Finance cut through the maze of pages users are faced with on other sites and set an entirely new pace for personal Internet tools," said Ross Levinsohn, vice president and general manager of new media for AltaVista. "These new offerings fulfill the desire of every web-savvy user: the best combination of useful, relevant information delivered with speed, efficiency and convenience -- with the fewest number of clicks."

My AltaVista: Access to Personalized Information, Faster and

Simpler

True to the AltaVista brand, My AltaVista delivers the most comprehensive information, offers the best method to personalize it and produces the most relevant results for web-savvy users. Beginning with the set-up, users need only input a name to identify themselves, a password for security protection, and their address to localize content. In contrast, the sign-up process for Yahoo's similar offering requests eight additional pieces of information through multiple steps.

Upon sign-on as a registered user of My AltaVista, much information is automatically personalized, based on the user's address. Local news, business directories, mapping services, entertainment listings, and shopping guides provide resources right in a user's hometown area. As more media companies join the 40 plus who already plan to install the AltaVista HomeBase Local Community Portal Platform, users will be able to gain access to ever-more locally relevant content.

For example, users in Houston, can gain access to news from small local communities, such as Sharpstown or Kingwood, view a local fishing report, or visit the community listings for their daughter's soccer team practice location.

To add further convenience and speed, portfolio information that is entered into the new AltaVista Finance channel automatically transfers to My AltaVista and can be viewed on the stock tracker.

Users also have the convenience of the world's fastest, freshest, most comprehensive AltaVista search engine, available directly from the My AltaVista homepage. In a study by the NEC Research Institute announced last week, AltaVista indexed over two times more Internet pages than Yahoo!, almost three times more than Excite, and over six times more than Lycos.

Additionally, users have more ways to access their personalized site, My AltaVista, than from competing offers. My AltaVista is always available on the universal navigation 'connections' bar that exists across all AltaVista network properties. Users can also access the site directly through the url http://my.av.com and through the world's first MicroPortal, AltaVista MicroPortal, at http://microav.com.

AltaVista Finance 'Snapshot' Provides Comprehensive One-Page

Overview

AltaVista Finance uses advanced technology to bring together best of breed finance content in a single resource. The service offers stock quotes, portfolio tracking, stock information, market information, tools and education, and news and commentary from leading sources, including CBS MarketWatch, Reuters, PR Newswire, Zacks Investment Research and Business Wire, among others. In the coming weeks, AltaVista Finance will claim the largest number of leading, prominent financial resources with more than 12 partners, including financial information sites popular with seasoned investors.

Another uniquely prominent feature of the new finance channel is the front page display that provides immediate access to timely information and developments about initial public offerings (IPOs) -- critical news for those who follow emerging players in technology markets.

True to the AltaVista brand, the AltaVista 'Snapshot' feature provides one-click access to in-depth quote information, performance charts, Zacks research summary, earnings reports, and recent news, all viewed on a single page. In contrast, services such as Yahoo finance require up to five clicks to get the same depth of information.

AltaVista Finance is available on the AltaVista home page, www.altavista.com, directly through its own url, http://finance.altavista.com, or at My AltaVista (http://my.av.com), and through the world's first MicroPortal, AltaVista MicroPortal, at http://microav.com.

Breakthrough Marketing and Promotional Campaigns

AltaVista will create innovative promotions to encourage users to experience AltaVista premier new media and commerce services -- and a chance to reap the largest incentives in Web history. The company also has committed to spend $10 million in advertising over 10 weeks to introduce the new offerings.

Demonstrating that AltaVista is serious about delivering the most satisfying, most relevant user experience on the Internet, the company plans to launch a dramatic series of promotional events over the coming months to highlight the superior offerings of the AltaVista Network. Users who personalize My AltaVista, AltaVista Finance, or download the AltaVista MicroPortal will automatically be eligible for the promotions, which promise to break new territory in Internet marketing.

About AltaVista Company

AltaVista Company is the premier online media and commerce network. The company integrates unique Internet technology and services to deliver relevant results faster for both individuals and Web-based businesses. By combining distinctive AltaVista brand services with 'best of the Web' partnerships, the AltaVista Network creates the most satisfying Internet experience. AltaVista is building on its heritage of technology and innovation leadership, offering award-winning services including: My AltaVista, AltaVista Finance, AltaVista Search, AltaVista Local Portal Services, The AltaVista MicroPortal, and AltaVista Shopping.com. For more information, visit AltaVista at http://www.altavista.com.

Note to Editors: AltaVista and Zip2 are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Shopping.com and Homebase are trademarks of AltaVista Company or its affiliates. Product names mentioned in this document may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies.