Not quite... (Score 1)

I think the headline alone misses the whole point of the Internet. People put content and product out on the Internet - many as the sole means for business - in hopes of others finding that content and product. Without centralized places to go to find those virtual stores, they would be bankrupt in no time at all (unless of course they have an established brick and mortar presence). The Internet doesn't have street signs and zip codes - the playing field is quite level for all. Therefore, since nobody knows how to get anywhere, where do they go? Right, search engines - which are nothing more than a telephone book for the web. Now, imagine you build a super highway that is the most highly traveled road in the world. Don't you think the billboards would be pretty lucrative places to advertise? The very same concept exsists with Google and Yahoo - their high volume of traffic means great spots for advertising. If you don't want to advertise, don't. But, then again, you will find yourself lagging behind your competition. Search engines don't go out and force companies to advertise. They are lucrative business models because companies are continually seeking out new ways to drive customers to their product. End of story...