Google goes pay-for-placement.

EuropeMedia, February, 2002

EUROPEMEDIA-(C)2002 Van Dusseldorp & Partners - http://www.vandusseldorp.com/

Search engine Google has announced plans to launch advertising-driven searchers, where sponsors that pay the most money are ranked higher in listings.

The search engine will allow advertisers to pay more to be listed in specific categories and show up high in search results. The system is similar one used by rival Overture Services, who has ridden the pay-for-placement wave to financial success. Overture expects its search engine to generate $58m in profits on revenue of $442m this year.

But the advertising-based search system has its vocal detractors. They include a consumer watchdog...