1999April, 15th AltaVista Clears Up Rumors Too Late - AltaVista announced its new paid placement to its advertisers via DoubleClick. Between the way it was worded, along with how the screenshot did not delineate between paid and organic listings, It was misinterpreted to be a pay-for-organic placement service. AltaVista let the rumors fester and waited a week to clear the air. This Day in SEO