Smaller search engines are joining a flat-fee network for search advertising as an alternative to Google, Yahoo and other pay-per-click models, and 70 engines are now members of ExactSeek's Independent Search Engine & Directory Network, reports DM News. The members of the international network can provide advertisers an alternative to pay-per-click models, according to the network's founder.

"We wanted to introduce search engine advertising that is affordable and not prone to click fraud," said CEO Mel Strocen of Winnipeg, Manitoba-based Jayde Online Network, of which ExactSeek is a part.

The network's model is a flat fee of $12 per listing for three months or $36 per listing for a year, and keyword buys are limited to 30, so that most companies are listed in the first or second page of listings.

Strocen expects about 100 members in the network by the end of the year. "None of the members are large enough to have a major voice in search, but as a whole they can have an impact on the search engine industry," he said.