Revenue from Google ads has spurred a huge growth in internet opportunities. Forrester Research, which tracks the search/advertising market, says the revenue generated by those little text-link ads is expected to grow to more than $26 billion in 2010, up more than $9 billion dollars over 2006.

That was the number bandied about at this year's 2006 Search Engine Strategies Conference and Expo, hosted in San Francisco, California. The number of exhibitors at the event was up 25% over last year. That impressive growth indicates an explosion in interest in what was once a Geek Central topic: search engines and how to use them.

Don't think the audience was merely tech heads. Attendees were more likely to be internet marketers looking for the latest information on how to maximize their ad revenue. Search Engine Strategies Conference and Expo is the most comprehensive forum dedicated to the search engine advertising and marketing sector.

As little as three years ago, it was difficult for anyone other than major corporations to make money with a web presence. But with the advent of Google's AdSense program, even a mom and pop websites are earning revenues of several hundred dollars a month just by renting ad space to Google.

For many, AdSense earnings range from the hundreds to a few thousand. But David Miles Jr. and his friend Kato Leonard are stunning examples of the kind of success possible when website owners really work to bring in visitors and clicks.

In 2005, the friends created Freeweblayouts.net, which offers MySpace users a free and easy way to customize their page at the huge social networking site. Their first AdSense revenue check was $60. Their current average is $100,000 a month from Google. Their phenomenal success illustrates two important keys to winning in the AdSense game: offering solid, useful content and taking advantage of the internet's social networking sites.

About the Author:

Bonnie Boots is the publisher/editor of The Internet Wizards Magazine for people who want to create their own products and market on the internet. Register for your free 1-year subscription at http://www.theinternetwizards.com