SEMPO says search worth $4 billion in 2005

The Search Engine Marketing Professional Organisation (SEMPO), released a report suggesting that the overall search marketing market will be worth $4 billion in 2004.

According to the SEMPO press release:

The research, conducted by Executive Summary Consulting, Inc., is based on an extensive survey of 288 search engine advertisers and marketing agencies, executed via IntelliSurvey, Inc., as well as in-depth interviews with 30 leading industry experts. The final report breaks down advertiser spending for 2004 in several areas: $3.058 billion to search media companies; $618 million on SEM-related in-house expenses within advertising corporations; $380 million to search engine marketing agencies, and $30 million in SEM technology licensing fees. The report also estimated that marketers will spend (including both in-house and external media, service and licensing expenses) $3.342 billion on paid placement campaigns; $492 million on organic search engine optimization; $182 million on paid inclusion, and $72 million on SEM-related technology services.

Not only does this report reflect on the credible strength of the search marketing industry, but it also adds credibility to SEMPO, who have faced severe criticism this year from major industry figures for failing to deliver anything for member subscriptions.

Link: SEMPO says search worth $4 billion in 2005