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What Is Pay-Per-Click Advertising?

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Last Updated: July 18, 2007 11:18 AM

Most major search engines display a combination of algorithmic (aka "organic") and paid search results when answering users' queries. The paid listings are displayed separately on search result pages and generally listed as "Sponsored" results.

Because obtaining a top spot in leading search engines' organic listings is a challenging and often time-consuming undertaking, many Web site owners have turned to paid listings as a means to attract search engine-generated traffic to their sites. Mainly utilized by commercial Web sites, paid search engine advertising may offer a compelling alternative or companion to positioning a Web site for organic search engine listings. Traffic Blazer acquaints you with and lets you sign up for a selection of the Internet's leading providers of paid search engine advertising, including Yahoo! Search Marketing and Google's AdWords and AdSense programs.

Most paid search engine advertising is built around the so-called pay-per-click (PPC) concept. Simply put, PPC allows advertisers (i.e., Web site/business owners) to bid for the top ranking for a given keyword. The advertiser that places the highest bid is ensured the top ranking for that keyword. Until he/she is outbid. The second-highest bid is secured the number 2 ranking; the third-highest bid will claim the 3rd spot, etc.

If you are willing to pay for it - and perhaps even engage yourself in bidding wars with other advertisers - PPC can be an enticing option. Many large-scale e-businesses rely on a combination of paid advertising and targeted SEO.