As they vie for position, Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft plan to continue upgrading their services - healthy competition that can only serve to improve search experiences of Internet users in future.

According to comScore Networks, an estimated 3.5 billion online searches are performed in United States each month, making searching second most popular online activity, ranking behind only e-mail.

In 2003, businesses spent an estimated $2 billion on advertising related to searches and some knowledgeable sources expect search-related advertising market to triple during next three years.

There are various search engine formats including natural search, pay for inclusion (PFI), pay per click (PPC), and hybrid approaches which combine both PFI and PPC characteristics. Because of immense and growing popularity of search engines, their effective utilization is life blood of Internet-based home businesses.

(By way, if you're so rich, why didn't you send my last commission check? I'm still your affiliate even if you don't acknowledge me as your friend anymore.)

We looked up to you and we appreciated everything you did for us. Most of all, we were your friends. Suddenly we're not good enough for you?

You should never forget where you started and how you got where you are now. The hands of your former friends and other "little guys" put food on your table and clothes on your back.

To people who remain "real" and true to their friends, I say "Thank you from bottom of my heart." Without all of you, most of us wouldn't get anywhere.

I haven't yet struck it rich, online or offline, and maybe I never will. But even if I do, I'll never forget my humble beginnings and friends I've made along way. They're much more valuable to me than money.

Denise Hall is the owner of Home Business on a Budget which specializes in tools and resources for your home business needs. Visit http://www.home-business-on-a-budget.com today. Get weekly articles, tips, information and resources here: http://tinyurl.com/4f9k8