Also, the recent announcement that Google would be offering multiple canonicalization opportunities by the end of the year, just adds to the media challenges. You may remember that WPN first told  you about the canonical tag from the search engines back in February. Lee says it will be interesting to see the impact of this announcement on professional content producers.

Incidentally, Lee has a new book entitled Search Engine Advertising that includes a $200 Microsoft adCenter coupon for new advertisers.

Kevin says the survey not only gives projections, but it also looks at areas of interest for the search engine marketing industry. SEMPO surveyed advertisers and agencies and found that SEM spending will continue to grow in 2009. The report also predicts long-term growth rising to an estimated $26.1 billion total spending by 2013.

Kevin says the growth is a result of marketers redefining search and looking at factors such as social media and behavioral targeting. SEMPO’s press release also credits the growth to advertiser demand, rising keyword pricing, and cost per click efficiencies.

Specifically, SEMPO’s site lists the following findings:

-    2008 SEM spending totaled $13.4 billion
-    2009 SEM spending is projected to rise to $14.7 billion
-    Long term projections show a total SEM spend of $26.1 billion in 2013
-    Paid placement accounted for 88% of 2008 spending, or $11.9 billion
-    Organic SEO accounted for approximately 11% of 2008 spending, or more than $1.4 billion
-    Additionally, the market for SEM technologies, including leasing, agency solutions and in-house development, accounted for 1.1% of overall 2008 spending, or $141 million.

Overall, the search marketing field is broadening. For the first time, SEM programs are receiving larger budgets.

On a side note, Kevin has a new book entitled The Truth About Pay-Per-Click Advertising. The book is a companion book to Rebecca Lieb’s The Truth About Search Engine Optimization. For more information on Kevin’s book, visit his site.