Paid Search

Definition: Paid search refers to sponsored search results, or ads displayed typically on SERPs because an advertiser has a prepaid campaign promoting their service or website.

These sponsored ads often appear above or alongside the organic search results.

Programs such as Google AdWords allow advertisers to bid on keywords they want to match up with their advertisement. When a browser enters one of those keywords in a search query, the advertiser's link and brief description may appear on the following SERP. If a browser clicks on the link, advertisers are paid a certain amount of money associated with thePPC campaign.