Google and AOL in five-year agreement on expansion and search advertising

The Internet Advertising Bureau has reported that search giants Google and AOL have agreed the terms of a new five-year partnership. The deal means the companies will “work together to cover mobile search adverts” and allow AOL to publish content to YouTube.

The collaboration will see Google powering Internet search across all AOL sites, including online map library Mapquest. This comes hot on the heels of SearchEngineLand’s report on new Expandable Map Ads in Google Maps for Mobile, which combine GPS pinpointing with PPC search advertising for location-specific results.

Other terms of the agreement include AOL’s ability to share video content on YouTube, such as live streaming of channels like BBC or France 24. Google will be providing AOL with their tried-and tested ad formats, and assisting their venture into the world of mobile apps and content. The mutually-beneficial partnership also involves sharing revenue, although details have not been released. Google Chairman and CEO Eric Schmidt stated: “This agreement combines Google's expertise in search and advertising with AOL's strength in online content. It's particularly exciting to see our relationship expand into video and mobile. These areas are now at the heart of users' online experiences and at the core of both of our businesses.”

Elsewhere, in an apparent attempt to bypass Google, Facebook is testing the inclusion of news articles from across the web in its search results. The position of stories in the search results will be based on how many Likes are received by the link.