How do the free email and social networking sites (like Yahoo Mail, Gmail, Orkut, Facebook etc.) make money?

[M G]

Advertising is applicable for email sites. What about Orkut? I don't see any advertisement on Orkut.

[David D]

Advertising

[M J]

The usual way for websites etc: advertising with banners etc.

[darthpat]

They have sponsors that advertise on their pages. Since they tend to be the most popular websites in the world, these free sites make a ton of money from ads. And in the case of Yahoo Mail, some users pay for a premium version.

[Kagetsu]

advertising

[aunt_webby]

through advertising !

[Steve]

Social networking websites allows anyone to create an account and then liaise with the millions of other people that have similar, or not so similar interests to your own! There are a number of great social networking websites such as Myspace, facebook etc are used by millions of people including polititions, celebritys and musicians for promoting themselves, and there are many animals who even have there own "Myspace profiles"!! These companys make their money from the advertisements on the sites.

[Broadsword]

They sell lists of e mail addresses to anyone with money, thats why you get so much junk mail

[batzy_batgirl]

yes i agree with the other people its all the advertisements

[bluewatchgirl]

advertising