Recessions are tough, and they can drive business investment to a standstill. But according to our most recent poll, search marketing is bucking the trend.

We recently asked the Clickable community, including small and midsize marketers, agencies, newsletter subscribers and blog readers: “How do you plan to change your investment in search advertising in 2009?” Among the 40 responses we received:

• 72% will increase
• 13% will decrease
• 10% don’t know or haven’t considered
• 5% will stay the same

This is consistent with industry forecasters calling for marketers to gravitate toward more measureable and targetable tactics, especially search and other forms of performance-based advertising. With intensified competition for capturing demand through prime keywords, it is becoming more important than ever to adhere to advertising best practices. This includes:

• Defining Conversion Values
• Accurately Tracking Conversions and Profitability
• Attributing Successes to Specific Advertising Investments
• Continuous Optimization

Are you part of this trend toward greater investment in performance marketing? Please let us know what you think, including your top challenges and successes. How is our economy treating you and your organization?

*Take Our New Poll!

“What aspect of search-advertising campaign management do you find most tedious?”

Take our new poll and see how others respond. We’ll report results in early February.