moTi - 8:09 pm on Jun 22, 2006 (gmt 0)

why is it that networks offering ppa enjoy a healthy advertiser base?

because ppa is most convenient for advertisers.

why will these networks never gain any relevant publisher popularity and struggle with an adequate coverage in terms of advertising real estate?

right, because the payout is significantly worse compared to adsense ppc.

google strategy?

stepping into the lucrative ppa market to regain advertiser acceptance and compete with ppa agencies.
advertisers jumping on google ppa ads like crazy, because of efficiency aspects: in adwords, they now find not only the according coverage with the huge publisher base other providers lack, but also the much longed for risk insurance for their revenue.

do publishers stay with adsense?

we're apparently in an advertiser friendly environment with oversupply of ad space and massive incentives for the hard-fought advertiser base, so prices going down network wide. only high quality content websites may be capable of denying ppa ads and convince advertising prospects to play by the old rules. if there's no better opportunity, many publishers will be forced to accept the new (actually pre-adsense) rules. as said, time to look around for other options.