Yahoo! has announced it is set to begin a limited test of rival firm Google's AdSense for Search service.AdSense for Search enables website owners to place Google search boxes on their pages. When a user then searches the internet or the site with the search box, Google shares the advertising revenue it makes with the site owner.
Commenting on the deal, Google spokesman Daniel Rubin said: "Yahoo! will be testing Google's AdSense for Search service, which will deliver relevant ads alongside Yahoo!'s own natural search results.
"This is only a limited test and does not necessarily mean that Yahoo! will join the AdSense programme."
Meanwhile, Yahoo! added that the test will only apply to traffic from Yahoo.com in the US and will not include the firm's extended network of affiliate publisher partners.
Initially, the test will run for up to two weeks and, according to a company statement, will be limited to no more than three per cent of Yahoo!'s search queries.
Yahoo! - which is under increasing pressure to enter into formal negotiations with Microsoft concerning a possible takeover - added that its board of directors is currently exploring "strategic alternatives to maximise stockholder value".
Meanwhile, Microsoft was quick to raise possible antitrust concerns over a Yahoo!-Google deal.
It said: "Any definitive agreement between Yahoo! and Google would consolidate over 90 per cent of the search advertising market in Google's hands."
