Google: Search growth helps beat recession

Supported by continued search growth and cost streamlining, Google's financial performance in the first quarter of 2009 exceeded market expectations. Google reported last week that net income rose 8 percent to $1.42 billion for the quarter ended in March. Revenue rose 6 percent to $5.51 billion, but excluding commissions paid to advertising partners, known as traffic acquisition costs, revenue rose 10 percent in real terms to $4.07 billion.