I see that same kind of passion and unrealistic dreaming among Google AdWords advertisers. Why? Because they heard they can "strike it rich" with Google Adwords. It doesn't help matters any that Google makes it ridiculously easy to get started with their pay-per-click program. All you need is "five dollars and a dream!"

Google doesn't advertise that message of course. However, for most advertisers, it's still a huge gamble nonetheless. Do advertisers make money with Google AdWords? Some do, yes. However, vast majority of advertisers might as well blow their money on lottery tickets.

Is Google AdWords to blame for so many advertisers losing their money? That depends on your point of view. Are lotteries responsible for people gambling and losing their money?

In my opinion, answer to both questions is yes and no. Lotteries would never admit this, but their whole purpose for being is to entice people to gamble. I mean, c'mon. That's why they exist. If people didn't gamble, there would be no lotteries.

Yes, lotteries hide behind legislation and pretense that money they generate goes toward education and other laudable endeavors, and for most part that's true.

versus

Pay Per Click Search Engine Advertising

By Matt Hockin Interactive Marketing, Inc. http://www.interactivemarketinginc.com

When you purchase visitors or “clicks” from a search engine, this is called “pay-per-click” (PPC) search engine advertising (or PPCSE). Pay-Per-Click Search Engine Advertising allows you to quickly get top search engine placement by “bidding” (paying) for keywords related to your product or service.

“Organic” or “Natural” search engine optimization (SEO) is accomplished by optimizing your web pages and by increasing your “link popularity” by acquiring or paying for links that point to your web site. This gives you high rankings at Search Engines for your chosen search terms.

In this article, we will explore strengths and weaknesses of both methods of search engine marketing.

“Natural” Search Engine Optimization

Today, there is a big myth that natural search engine optimization is inexpensive and easy. For example, if you wanted your web site to rank high for keyword phrase “life insurance” or “debt consolidation” you’re going to need to budget a minimum of $50,000-100,000 a year!

Yet still, natural search engine optimization usually gives you a much higher return on investment than pay per click. This is true for two main reasons:

1. More searchers click natural search engine results versus pay per click ads, so you’ll get much more traffic for less.

2. One of biggest factors to improving your rankings with natural search engine optimization is by boosting your “Link Popularity” by acquiring or paying for links that point to your web site. These links give you lasting results by giving you top rankings and traffic from search engines. Plus, links themselves will provide a significant boost in long term traffic.