Google's fourth-quarter revenue rose 67 percent and profit nearly tripled on continued strength in its paid-search business.

Handily beating analysts' estimates, net earnings for the quarter ended 31 December were $1.03bn, or $3.29 a share, including one-time items such as stock-based compensation, compared with $372m, or $1.22 a share, during the same quarter in 2005. Excluding those items, earnings were $997m, or $3.18 a share.

Total revenue for the quarter rose 67 percent to $3.2bn, compared to $1.92bn a year ago. Excluding traffic acquisition costs, or commission paid to content partners, revenue was $2.23bn.

Analysts polled by Thomson Financial were expecting Google to post earnings per share of $2.92 excluding items, and revenue of $2.19bn, excluding traffic acquisition costs.

Paid search represents nearly all of Google's revenue. The company is expanding its advertising platform beyond the web into radio and print.

Full article: ZDNet.co.uk