[LouAvul]

This is because companies pay google to feature them on their website and the fees are based on a per-click calculation.

So it's only if I click a "featured" ad? And not if I merely click on a link on the google page?

[Kaylee Frye]

As long as you're only clicking normal links (not ones in the blue box at the top or in the separated area on the right), google should not be making any money off of your clicks (at least as far as I know). I still use google myself, so I hope that's true!!