Google says it generated $1.4 billion for Georgia businesses in 2009

By David Markiewicz

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Internet advertising giant Google is  best known for its mighty search engine, helping people quickly find anything from a good recipe for chicken tetrazzini to the causes of the Peloponnesian War.

But the California company, which has an Atlanta presence, says it helps plenty of small businesses, too.

Tuesday, for the first time, the company put a number on just how much  it helps: $54 billion, a figure it called "conservative."

That's Google's own estimate of the nationwide economic impact in 2009 on businesses that use its search and advertising tools.

The company also did a state-by-state breakout in its report. In Georgia, Google said it generated $1.4 billion in economic activity for businesses, website publishers and non-profit organizations last year.

Georgia, the report said, had 48,200 advertisers and website publishers.

"It's easy to overlook that we're also an engine for economic growth," said Maureen Schumacher, regional sales director for Google.

Google directs potential customers to businesses via sponsored links adjacent to search results through its AdWords advertising program. Through its AdSense program, website publishers can run ads on their sites.

Schumacher said Google has been in Georgia for eight years. It  has more than 50 full-time  sales and engineering staff employees based in the state.