Google seeks more marketers

After reporting record advertising sales, Google is pushing to recruit more marketers to the fold with the help of its Internet friends. The search engine recently introduced an affiliate program that pays $20 to any Web site for referring a new advertiser or publishing partner. Google is likely the last search engine to introduce such a program. Rival Overture Services runs an affiliate program, which was popularized by e-commerce giants Amazon.com and eBay.com.

The move also comes after Google rejiggered its advertising system to suppress multiple bids for terms promoting the same Web site, in what critics see as a blow to affiliate advertisers.