Abstract: An Internet/world-wide-web based keyword bid management system that allows advertisers on pay-per-click search engines (“PPCSEs”) to influence position (ranking) on said PPCSEs with the use of a rules based bidding engine. Keyword bid rules allow advertisers to influence desired rankings on PPCSEs based on time-of-day, competitor ranking, bid gaps, etc, or combination of said rules and allow advertisers to mimic human bidding behavior through an automated means. The system comprises of specialized software (“rules based bidding system”) that is hosted by an ASP (“application service provider”) so that all of the advertiser's interactions with said software can take place from any personal computer with Internet access and relatively recent Internet browser software without the requirement of having to download any additional software locally.