Any good statistics on click of paid vs non paid clicks

Sorry for the confusing title.

I have been reading a few books on search engines. Just because I deal
with statistics I find them interesting

Question for you guys. In all three books they say something to the
effect, that 25% - 30% of all users will NOT click on a link because
simply it's a paid link, and users don't trust them as much as the ones
that come up on the non paid results

Does anyone have any idea if that is true? The books were published in
2005 so I reckon the data is probably 2004 or a lot earlier.

Do you think that is a fair estimate?

I know I virtually never click on a paid link, I don't know why, except
I'm one of these really old time internet users that wants everything to
be free

Thanks

On Wed, 3 May 2006 01:32:19 -0500, Gymdandy (AT) webtv (DOT) net wrote:

Sorry for the confusing title.

I have been reading a few books on search engines. Just because I deal
with statistics I find them interesting

Question for you guys. In all three books they say something to the
effect, that 25% - 30% of all users will NOT click on a link because
simply it's a paid link, and users don't trust them as much as the ones
that come up on the non paid results

Does anyone have any idea if that is true? The books were published in
2005 so I reckon the data is probably 2004 or a lot earlier.

Do you think that is a fair estimate?

I know I virtually never click on a paid link, I don't know why, except
I'm one of these really old time internet users that wants everything to
be free

Thanks

Cross our palms with silver and we'll consider sharing... we're
new-timers here...!! actually I believe there is still a general
perception that organic search is more trustworthy than anything
sponsored.

BB
--

http://www.kruse.co.uk/sandbox.htm
http://www.here-be-posters.co.uk/lithographs.htm
http://www.crystal-liaison.com/willow-tree/index.html

<Gymdandy (AT) webtv (DOT) net> wrote

Sorry for the confusing title.

I have been reading a few books on search engines. Just because I deal
with statistics I find them interesting

Question for you guys. In all three books they say something to the
effect, that 25% - 30% of all users will NOT click on a link because
simply it's a paid link, and users don't trust them as much as the ones
that come up on the non paid results

Does anyone have any idea if that is true? The books were published in
2005 so I reckon the data is probably 2004 or a lot earlier.

Do you think that is a fair estimate?

I know I virtually never click on a paid link, I don't know why, except
I'm one of these really old time internet users that wants everything to
be free

Thanks

Can't hurt to have both. Bottom line ... despite all the fraud and wasted

clicks .. at the end of the day (or month) if you generate sales from the
clicks you can easily analyze the cost vs reward and make a decision from
there. A lot depends on what you are selling. In my case it is worth it as
one sale covers more that the cost of a whole month's clicks. Still it is
frustrating to see clicks that you know are bogus but can really prove it.
All of the providers could care less. Every time I complain I get the same
canned response.
Mike