I agree Google have their act together. However, your comment about Comscore reporting "a significant slowdown in year to year growth in paid clicks" is explained on Comscore's own blog:-
Why Google’s surprising paid click data are less surprising. The change “is primarily a result of Google’s own quality initiatives that result in a reduction in the number of paid listings and, therefore, the opportunity for paid clicks to occur”.
Will Ask.com/Google Merger Inspire Yahoo!/Microsoft? [View article]
It might make sense for Microsoft and Google, but is this good for advertisers.
There will be one less player which means less choice. Will the merger drive up the costs of PPC? Already competition for popular keywords is going up as more and more businesses move their budgets online?
Google’s Earnings Expose Wall Street’s Limitations [View article]
Why Google’s surprising paid click data are less surprising. The change “is primarily a result of Google’s own quality initiatives that result in a reduction in the number of paid listings and, therefore, the opportunity for paid clicks to occur”.
What Will the Yahoo Board Decide? [View article]
Why should two companies who have failed in search individually be able to combine successfully to take on Google?
Finally, a Reasonable Valuation for Google [View article]
If Microsoft’s bid for Yahoo succeeds, there is no guarantee MicroHoo will be able to blend together and offer superior competition to Google.
Will Ask.com/Google Merger Inspire Yahoo!/Microsoft? [View article]
There will be one less player which means less choice. Will the merger drive up the costs of PPC? Already competition for popular keywords is going up as more and more businesses move their budgets online?