Web Advertising Slays A Giant

Well, it’s official, Folks!  According to Reuters, online readership & web advertising revenue has finally overtaken the centuries-old behemoth of Print Media.

According to the data, the web advertising figures are following the larger trend of online readership.  It’s simple – more people are going to the web for news.  According the numbers, the study showed 46% of Americans getting news from the web three times a week, versus 40% that turn to newspapers.  Oh, and that 40% includes those newspapers’ websites.  So, Internet Marketing dollars are simply following the readers…

One of the most telling statistics, though, was that Search Engine Marketing (Pay-Per-Click Search Advertising, like Google AdWords) made up 48% of the online advertising spending.  Not content ads, banners, etc.  So, Internet Marketing looks a lot more like the yellow pages than the Baltimore Sun.

The funny thing is that I don’t think this changes much of anything.  Your marketing strategy should still be unique to you & your goals.  And for many businesses, print ads could still be a big part of a successful marketing strategy – right alongside SEO, Search, Social and other Internet Marketing.