InternetGoogle, Verizon Close to Mobile Search Deal
Rumored partnership would bring together companies that had sparred over spectrum policies.
Google is nearing a wide-ranging partnership with Verizon Communications that would make it the default search provider for all the company's devices, The Wall Street Journal has reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The deal would see Verizon (NYSE: VZ) replace its homegrown mobile search engine with Google's, creating an all-in-one service that would allow users to access the Web and applications such as ringtones through the same interface, with the companies sharing ad revenue. The Journal reported that the companies have yet to agree on how much information about users' searches Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) would be able to access. Detailed search histories would help Google better target its ads, but carriers like to keep their subscriber data in house. Mobile search ads remain a nascent market. Research firm eMarketer estimates spending on mobile search ads to hit $102.3 million this year, though it expects that figure to jump to $1.4 billion by 2012. RELATED ARTICLES Google in Talks With Verizon Wireless: Sources Verizon Dials Up Support for Mobile Linux Google Display Ads in Your Pocket Is Android in Verizon Wireless's Future? Google's Big Phone Gambit: An Open Mobile Platform Will Mobile Ads Finally Get Their Due? Survey: iPhone's For Fun And Games For more stories on this topic: For years, analysts have been heralding the imminent explosion of mobile ads, though the breakthrough... [ Read more on www.internetnews.com ]
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