Now register your Web Address through Google

Google inc. will join the crowded field of services registering website addresses in a move aimed at encouraging more usage of the online search leader's free software products.

The Mountain View-based company is offering its latest service in a partnership with GoDaddy.com and eNom, two of the many administrators that help websites officially register their names under domains like .com and .net.

Google's service will charge a $10 (euro7.60) annual fee and only handle addresses ending in four suffixes — .com, .net, .biz and .info. There are more than 250 other suffixes in the Internet's master directories.

Websites that register their domains through Google will be automatically set up to work with several other company products, including e-mail, calendaring and instant messaging. The configuration won't prevent the websites from using services offered by Google rivals like Yahoo Inc., Microsoft Corp. and Time Warn er Inc.'s AOL. Meanwhile, Google and Baidu.com Inc., its biggest rival in China, are exploring options to expand their online video services in the world's fourth largest economy.

Industry sources told Reuters this week that the two Internet search leaders have independently had early discussions with some local video websites for potential business cooperation or possible acquisitions. However, neither Internet giant has secured a specific target yet, said the sources with knowledge of the situation.

The moves come after Google last month closed its $1.65 billion acquisition of top online video-sharing site YouTube. Baidu also launched its own Chinese-language video Web channel on a trial basis a few months ago.

“Google and Baidu have the same idea of expanding their online video business in China, though they are still studying a variety of business proposals,” said an Internet industry source close to the two Web sites in China. 

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