How much does it cost someone to Google?

Posted by: P on 13 December 2007

I have Google set as the homepage in my browser and I use it to go everywhere on the net these days because I'm a lazy farqua.

Recently the thought struck me that I might be contributing to Googles coffers everytime I punch in say Ebay (comes up as a sponsored link at the top of the page) or say Pinkfish (always comes up at the top of the page but it's not sponsored)

Anyone any idea if the owners of these sites have to like "pay" Google for each hit done like this or does the search come for free?

Apologies if I've missed something completely obvious but I can't find the answer on Google.

P
Posted on: 13 December 2007 by Paul Ranson
If you click on a sponsored link the sponsor pays.

The amount the advertiser pays varies upwards from a minimum, the more they are prepared to pay the more often their ad is shown. They also pay per 1000 displays of the ad regardless of clicks. It appears to me that an advertiser pays at least 1p per click and 15p per 1000 showings of the ad.

It's Google, it's complicated...

Paul
Posted on: 13 December 2007 by garyi
Thats for sponsered links though, such as the bolder stuff at the top of the results or the stuff on the right of the results.

A fair proportion such as Pink Fish are simply at the top due to the amount of searches done on them, or the amount of hits the website gets.
Posted on: 13 December 2007 by P
Ok. Thanks for the replies guys.

I think I can live with 1p a go.

Glad it's not just me who finds how Google works complicated.

P
Posted on: 14 December 2007 by worm
quote:
Originally posted by Paul Ranson:
They also pay per 1000 displays of the ad regardless of clicks.
Paul


Paul

This has not been my experience of advertising on Google.

The model we work to is a straight pay per click (ppc) one. If it is not clicked on you don't pay.

That said, the rate we pay for clicks is considerably higher that you suggested. For generic terms I typically pay between £1 and £3 per click, however for a term linked to the businesses own brand it will be much lower.

Cheers

worm
Posted on: 14 December 2007 by Derek Wright
Heard on a radio program on this topic: from one advertiser who noted that during the industry conference at which all the business rivals get together, the click rate for his Google based ads dropped dramatically, after the conference the click rate went back to normal.

His competitor was deliberately clicking on his ads to increase his costs and give a false interest rate.
Posted on: 14 December 2007 by Roy T
A hidden cost to using Google is the loss of privacy caused by the storing of your search and viewing history. If this worries you then give ixquick a try.
Posted on: 20 December 2007 by ewemon
quote:
Originally posted by Roy T:
A hidden cost to using Google is the loss of privacy caused by the storing of your search and viewing history. If this worries you then give ixquick a try.


Yep, Big Brother in the shape of Google is watching you.