Understanding Google Adwords

Google Adwords is a Pay Per Click search system maintained by Google.

Pay Per Click isn't new; companies like Overture have been doing it for years. Google Adwords, however, combines the traditional free search feature and the pay per click model into a single search system.

Google Adwords are effectively adverts that are intended to promote or sell a particular product or service.

They are called Adwords because the advert is tied to particular keywords (Adwords) that the advertiser selects. The idea being that the searcher only sees adverts that are related to his original search words.

In order to use Google Adwords you need to sign up for an Adwords account (There is a small cost) and you can start advertising your site or product straight away.

Adwords are easy to setup but to be successful with them requires experience. Before you start you first campaign it would be wise to master the basics.

The PPC section has several articles to get you started.

Many people get confused between adwords and adsense they are in effect the opposite of each other like heads and tails.

Google Adsense 

Website owners agree to provide Google with advertising space on their websites, for Website owners this is free. Google then fills this advertising space with adverts (Google Adwords) which match what the visitor originally searched for.

If a website visitor clicks a link in the advert then the advertiser is charged a fee which is then split between Google and the Website owner. Adsense provides another revenue stream for Website owners in addition to the traditional affiliate model.

Other resources:

• Paying For Traffic- Why  it sometimes necessary.