WebProNews

Google and the European Pressphoto Agency (epa) have struck a deal under which the search engine will host epa content on Google News.

Under the agreement Google News users will be able to find original text stories and photos from the online services of a number of epa's eleven agencies.

Josh Cohen

"This new approach not only enhances the experience for users, it also gives proper recognition to journalists and publishers who work hard to break the news," said Josh Cohen, Business Product Manager of Google News.

"We are delighted to work with epa and through it with eight of Europe's leading national news agencies."

News agencies that are members of the European Pressphoto Agency will run contextual ads along side articles that appear on their Google News-hosted sites. Google introduced ads on Google News search results last month in the U.S.

In the coming months, Google will now be able to link to the source of the news agency content. Before Google News would display multiple versions of the same news agency articles and photos, with separate links to various sites according to Cohen. Google News will now link directly to the original article, on a page hosted by Google.

Users will also have the option to click on other copies of these articles allowing them to click through to those publishers Web sites and see additional content.

"The importance of this agreement is that the news agencies are recognized for the original content they create, and can generate new revenue through the advertising revenue share split with Google for all hosted articles on Google News," said Walter Grolimund, Chairman of epa's Supervisory Board.