WebProNews

Marketers in the United Kingdom say that search marketing is the best way to generate leads.

Advertisers spent 44 percent more on search during the first half of 2007 than they did during the first six months of 2006 according to eMarketer. Search marketing comprises the majority of online ad spending compared to other formats.

Paid search accounts for more than half (57%) of the online advertising dollar, while display advertising has a 22 percent share. Advertisers say that's because search works.

Along with lead generation, search is a vital channel for direct online sales, according to a survey by E-consultancy and Neutralize.

"Search-related advertising will remain the primary focus of the UK market for some time to come," says Karin von Abrams, senior analyst, and author of the eMarketer report, UK Online Advertising. "And the gap between spend on search-linked and display ads will widen."