There are many Pay Per Click search engines in existence, but as with everything else, only a handful can be considered the top pay per click search engines. In pay per click search engine advertising, you select and bid on specific keywords related to your product or service. Then, when someone clicks on one of your pay per click search engine listings, you are charged for the click.

Pay per click search engine advertising is extremely popular among top Internet marketers for one simple reason - It works. The two top contenders in pay per click search engines are Google Adwords and Overture, which has been bought out by Yahoo Search Marketing.

Google AdWords

Google Adwords is a program where you bid on keywords. Google doesn't actually place your listing in the search results. Instead, your pay per click ad appears on the search results page, along the right side of the search results. This has proven to be very effective placement. Furthermore, you can choose to display your ads on related websites that are members of Google Adsense.  You can also display your listings on Google's partner sites. This gives your ad even more exposure, and can result in more click throughs. Google is the top pay per click search engines because they deliver real results. Google requires a $5 activation fee when setting up an account, but there are no minimums that you must spend each month after that.

One nice thing about AdWords is the cost per click structure.  Unlike most PPC search engines, the highest bidder doesn't necessarily get the top spot in the listings.  If your ad gets more click throughs than the listings above you, Google will determine your ad is more relevant to what internet surfers are looking for.  Google will reward you for this by moving you above your lesser performing competitors, even if they are paying more than  you.

Overture

Overture, or Yahoo Search Marketing was the top contender before Google came along. Now it seems that the two pay per click search engines run neck-in-neck for the top place. Overture works much the same as Google does. You bid on specific keywords and key phrases. But instead of your listing appearing beside the search results, your listing is actually part of the search results. Furthermore, Overture also has partner sites, and partner search engines, where your listings will also appear. Unlike Google, Overture does require a $50.00 minimum deposit to open an account, and you must spend at least $20.00 per month on clicks.  Also unlike Google, you must pay the highest cost per click if you want to be positioned at the top of the listings.