Rightmove, Britain's biggest property search website, restored some confidence to the housing market today by saying it had seen a surge in the amount each estate agent was spending on home adverts in January.

It said that this, in turn, made it confident that its 2010 profits would beat forecasts.

"Trading in January 2010 saw a substantial increase in average spend per advertiser," it said.

Its shares rose 17p to 542p in early trading.

The company, which lists over 90 per cent of homes for sale in the UK, said that the increase came because each agent was advertising more properties for sale and taking up new display advertising products while Rightmove had increased agency listing fees.

As a result: "The board is confident that 2010 profits will be above current market expectations, subject to no significant change in market conditions.

"This is based on the higher average spend per advertiser achieved in January, evidence from our customers of our continued value for money, and the predictably of our subscription model."

It also reiterated that its profits for the 2009 year, due to be unveiled on February 26, would be in line with market expectations.

Analysts are forecasting pre-tax profits of £39 million for 2009, rising to £45 million for 2010.

Rightmove's success does not directly mirror the fortunes of the property market, since it has benefited from estate agents and developers switching their advertising spend online from regional newspapers.

Rightmove has recently declared it would use Google Maps on its site, easing some fears that its dominant position in the market would be eroded by Google's own plans to launch a property website this year.