Search engine keyword prices up 5c in June 2005

Prices that advertisers paid to buy search engine keywords rose on average $0.05 in June 2005 compared to May 2005. The data reflects increases in all category sectors with the exception of the Telecom-Broadband category. Since August 2004 (when Fathom Online initiated its tracking) keyword prices have risen an average of $0.35 or 25%. Leading the increase in June was the Wireless category, registering a $.19 cent rise. Finance-Mortgage vertical, while increasing a modest $0.06 cents, still indicates competitive bidding by mortgage lenders paying an average $4.66 per keyword. The Finance-Investing and Consumer-Retail categories bounced back after dropping in May, rising $0.07 cents and $0.04 cents respectively per keyword.