Several years later, however, Internet is a radically different place. Many big player search engines are struggling to break-even financially, their listings are populated with spam, which over time has forced many worthy Websites to accept low rankings or even to being banned for using one too many keywords on wrong page.

==> Goto.com

The Goto.com principle is simple -- you pay to be listed. To many Webmasters this seems a terrible proposition at first glance, however after further investigation, Goto.com clients discover a flexible system that gives them far more control over their listings than was previously achievable.

To be listed at Goto you need to create an account, deposit an amount of your choosing (there is usually a minimum of $25) and create your listings. Listings consist of titles, descriptions, your Website address, keywords, and most importantly, a bid amount. The bid amount is amount of money that will be deducted from your account every time a searcher at Goto clicks on your listing.

The amount you bid is usually determined by amounts other Webmasters are bidding for chosen keyword(s). So, if number one bid for 'health' is $0.90 then you would need to bid $0.91 to become top ranking site when someone searches for that keyword. You could also bid $0.89 and be listed in second place, which is still very effective.

==> Competition For Goto

The success of Goto.com is a problem for Webmasters with a small advertising budget. The bid amount for health keyword above is just one example. In reality, popular keywords on Goto.com can fetch as much as $3 or $4 for top spot. Enter competition. Newer pay for position search engines such as Kanoodle and FindWhat have less traffic than Goto, but at same time cost of achieving a top listing is within reach of many Webmasters. The cost of being listed within top five positions at one of these newer engines can be reached by almost anyone.

==> Regional -- A New Marketplace