Based on extensive interviews with an established panel of top search engine marketing professionals, empirical research of the major Chinese search engines' new platforms and features, and Marbridge's daily coverage of Chinese search-related news and announcements, Marbridge's Quarterly Chinese Paid Search Survey Report helps readers understand where China's paid search market is heading and which search engines are best positioned to gain revenue market share. A selection of featured topics covered in the Q4 2009 issue of the report include:

• Phoenix Nest - Impact of the full transition to Phoenix Nest on Baidu's performance, as well as a detailed explanation of how and where keyword-based ads can now be displayed.


• Google's Potential Departure - Status of deliberations on Google's future course in China, Marbridge's assessment of most likely scenarios, and impact on revenues for Baidu and other search engines active in China should Google shut down Google.cn.


• Tencent - Development status of Tencent's own paid search platform, Soso, including degree of advertiser interest in placing SEM spend on Soso, and how it will impact spend on Baidu and Google.


• 2010 SEM Budget Planning - Early (pre-Chinese New Year) indication of the expected size of increase/decrease in 2010 SEM budgets.


• Search Engine Policy Shifts - New channel policies from China's major search engines and how these are expected to affect revenues.