The Google search engine attracted a loyal following among the growing number of Internet users, who liked its simple design.[18] In 2000, Google began selling advertisements associated with search keywords.[10] The ads were text-based to maintain an uncluttered page design and to maximize page loading speed.[10] Keywords were sold based on a combination of price bid and clickthroughs, with bidding starting at $.05 per click.[10] This model of selling keyword advertising was pioneered by Goto.com (later renamed Overture Services, before being acquired by Yahoo! and rebranded as Yahoo! Search Marketing).[19][20][21] While many of its dot-com rivals failed in the new Internet marketplace, Google quietly rose in stature while generating revenue.
