so we know how google determines importance... what about..

other search engines?

what should you do to get a high rank on yahoo or msn?

I'm not talking about getting INTO the directy, I'm talking about placement once you're in.

Well with Yahoo and MSN. It depends if your doing the Site Match/Free Listing or the product feed. What I have noticed for both is that the description tag plays a big part. I found that many of the descriptions that come up under the serps are from the description tag. I also have found that if I optimize it well, I get good positioning. I can also see my changes pretty quickly as my inclusion allows me to see my changes/improvements every few days. Also, it is good to be in the Yahoo directory. A few of my sites are in the number 1 position and it's their directory listing. I am sure that the content, title and a few other things may be analyzed differently by their spiders than Google, but I usually see sites doing well in Google, doing well in MSN/Yahoo, for me anyway.

As far as getting into the search engines, though I know you didnt ask it, MSN and Yahoo allow for quicker inclusion per the inclusion program.

Anything else I am missing?

A lot of the top results from google and yahoo seems similar.
Is Yahoo using incoming links as a criteria for the rankings?

I do believe Yahoo does because Yahoo does have a popularity bar, though I do not think it is available for the overall public yet. There was a time when you could sign up for the test.

Most of the guys missed the new Yahoo Toolbar beta with the WebRank feature.

Not to worry friends you can check it here: Yahoo! WebRank Checking Tool

Cheers,

what is up with the digitalpoint tools?

I swear they only work during the first half of a day...

Since I have been using them, they only work once a day.