Big Changes coming to Search Engine Marketing

Some big changes that were long rumored being reported this week:

1. Google is testing longer format text ads

2. AskJeeves will sell ads directly to advertisers, rather than being solely a syndicator for Google.

3. MSN is in late stage testing on their own version of AdWords.

These changes are great for advertisers. There will be more opportunities to find the best messaging with longer text ads on Google; more chances to precisely target your ads by buying direct on AskJeeves if that works for you, and obviously more opportunities to do the same on MSN by buying directly from MSN. The fact that MSN is going to mimic Google's auction system also probably means a more competitive market for keywords as well.

Great summary at Search Engine Journal