Predicting Google is tough. It seems like every other week, they advance the game... And often it's done by surprise.

You have no way of knowing what to expect.

This is why I was delighted when I recently posed the question to a Google Representative, "What can we expect from AdWords in 2010?"

The response was one word:

"Re-targeting"

What the heck is that, you ask?

Well, if you're a marketer, then you know the power of following-up with your prospects.

They may not be ready to buy from you the first time they hear from you..

But, by the 7th time, they're ready to buy.

Well, this is what re-targeting brings to the table.

Imagine a visitor reading their favorite site.  He or she sees your ad and clicks...BUT does not buy.

Then, a few minutes later, the same visitor goes to another website... and whaddya' know, your ad appears again... then on a third site... a fourth... until your message finally hits home.

You get the click and the sale. 

It's as though your ads "Follow" your prospects.

As you can imagine, this is a major breakthrough and will change the game big time.

Forget the search network when there is so much cheap, targeted traffic on the content.

So, here's my big prediction for 2010 you can take to the bank,  "2010 will be the year of the content network."

You see, right now, there's a massive amount of quality cheap ad space.  But, there's just one catch.  Tapping into the content network is not like it is with search.

You need to use solid direct-response style ads to make it profitable.  Your ads need to stop prospects in their tracks, get them to click, and set them-up for what's to come.

Listen, if you're only using text ads on the content network, you're barely scratching the surface of what there is to offer.  You need to be using all of the sizes of image ads.

Most advertisers are too lazy to create and then optimize their image ads.  As a result, it's easy for you come-in and dominate IF you take the content network seriously.

After all, there is LOADS more traffic here than in search.

Of course, I am a little biased in this prediction.  Though, I firmly believe you're going to be hearing about the content network non-stop in 2010, in a few weeks I am launching version 2.0 of AdText Image Creator...

A tool that allows you effortlessly create killer image ads with a few clicks of your mouse and then upload them to Google in tight ad groups.

The test results I've been getting so far in clients' campaigns have been phenomenal (if you own version 1.0, you ain't seen nothing yet).

And here's what I am going to do to thank you for being a loyal reader or customer and celebrate the new year.  I want you to leave your prediction of what you think will happen in 2010 in AdWords or search marketing in general if you prefer.  What do you think 2010 will be the year of?

If we can get at least 10 predictions, then I will choose the best one to get a free copy of AdText Image Creator 2.0 when it's ready and before it goes on the market.  If we can get at least 25 comments, then I will choose 3 of the best responses.

If all of the responses are great, then we'll toss your name into a hat and choose at random.

So, go-ahead and participate to get your chance to win.  This tool will not be cheap and we are seriously considering capping the amount of copies that are sold in order to give owners a major advantage. 

I look forward to hearing about what you see in the future...