Quality of Contextual Paid Search Listings Is Unproven

[robertclough]

Source: MediaDailyNews

http://www.mediapost.com/dtls_dsp_news.cfm?newsID=193791

Snippet:
Recent search marketing offerings indicate a shift in paid search engine placement towards contextually-based results listings. Whether it actually provides users with a better search experience or simply dilutes the quality of paid listings remains to be seen.

[ihelpyou]

Yeah, Overture says they are simply 'testing' Gator.

Notice how Overture is not 'announcing' this fact all over the internet yet? I would think they are VERY embarrassed to be affiliated with such a scum company as Gator.

That article is right. Relevance is going downhill quickly for that part of the industry. It's because of the greed the big players have such as Overture. Greed will be their downfall.

[stevew]

Received from Overture UK this morning :

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New Minimum Bid

In the coming year you're going to see a number of exciting new tools and enhancements to the Overture service that will allow you to capture even more qualified leads from a wide range of affiliate partners, and take your paid search programme to a whole new level. To help make these changes happen and ensure that you continue to receive the highest quality customer service, Overture is instituting a price increase, raising the minimum bid from £0.05 to £0.10, beginning 6th February 2003.
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Since the minimum bid in the US is $0.05, not £0.05 (confirmed this morning) we are already paying a 33% surcharge (likewise on all bids, since all prices are in £'s) Now this. :mad:
BTW, has the US market received a similar hike?

Greed will be their downfall. Has the process started???