adwords Search network setting

[kg84]

Can someone please explain to me the positive and negatives of using the google search network setting in adwords? It seems to me to be similar to the content network setting, in that it will show your ads on related sites. Does this mean click fraud is an issue as it is with the content network?

[AussieWebmaster]

the search network is for actual searches done on places like AOL and Yahoo - content is just an ad in a banner box

[kg84]

If that is true why have I seen my client's ads on websites when they are not using the content network?

[AussieWebmaster]

they may have not turned off the content... it by default is on

[abbottsys]

Originally Posted by kg84

If that is true why have I seen my client's ads on websites when they are not using the content network?

The AdWords Search Network consists of Google's Search Partners. These are typically large websites that use Google to power their own site search. CNN is a good example. AOL is another.

[AussieWebmaster]

But if they are in some content site in a adsense box then they have content turned on somewhere

[kg84]

they dont appear to be adsense ads. they are on large sites such as nextag and appear under sponsored links. From what I found through researching this is that this is part of the way ads are displayed by using the search network settings. My real question is what are peoples experience with using this setting. for example, ctr go up or down?, more click fraud?, etc.