The Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization (SEMPO) estimates that spending on search engine marketing (SEM) will be $14.7 billion in 2009.

According to a new research from SEMPO and Radar Research, $13.5 was spend on SEM last year. Not surprisingly, paid advertising accounted for almost 88% of that spend, with organic SEO getting only about 11% of the pie.

However, some experts say that the spend towards organic SEO is likely to increase in future, as more marketers recognize the long-term benefits of investing in a SEO campaign. At the same time, the immediate results, and probably greater measurability of a paid search marketing campaign, will ensure that the latter continues to enjoy the giant slice of the search marketing pie.

Thanks to topseo.org