A Search Engine Watch Forums thread asks why are the ads on Ask.com still served up from Google.
Yes, we all know Ask.com has their own sponsored listing program. But often the ads on Ask.com come from Google. For example, I conducted a search for ipods and the top three ads come from Google's network.
Why does Ask.com do this? Several reasons:
(1) They may not have enough inventory to sell those ads spots, so they use Google's inventory. (2) Google's ads may have a higher CPC and they may earn more from them. (3) They may have a contractual agreement with Google to display a certain percentage or number of ads per month.
Search Engine Watch Forums moderator, Discovery, thinks:
I believe the ads are displayed according to price/profits at ask.com and not if a query doesnt match their inventory of ask.com advertisers.
Forum discussion at Search Engine Watch Forums.
