The Egalitarian Web
Overture is "embracing the enemy -- by pitching its paid-listings service on Google, its archrival." Overture's service works this way. When anyone types in "computer" into a search engine powered by Overture, Dell Computer shows up first according to the Wall Street Journal story [via Silicon Alley Reporter Daily]. Of course, the big difference between Overture and Google is that Google makes it clear which listings are sponsored and not results of the actual search.
According to the Overture Web site, Dell pays 64 cents to Overture every time someone clicks on Dell's listing on the results page. Dell's link is above Gateway Inc.'s link -- as Gateway pays 63 cents every time someone clicks on its ad.
A Google spokesperson is quoted as saying:
"Yes, we are aware that Overture runs ads on Google's site promoting its products and services," he said. "We don't see a conflict with this particular campaign."