Google and Yahoo! have been involved in settlement discussions with the Department of Justice in an attempt to avoid an antitrust challenge to their proposed deal.  We know that regardless of how the proposed deal unfolds, it will have significant ramifications in the online advertising community.  In addition to the possibility of an approved or rejected deal, we could instead see a third result - a modified deal that would cap the volume of Google ads that Yahoo! could use and require more disclosure.  Additionally, in an effort to alleviate some of the DOJ’s concerns, Google is seeking testimonials in support of the deal from large advertisers.  Meanwhile, Microsoft is still interested in a Web search advertising deal with Yahoo!.

Google has also been busy on a different front.  Although Google has not disclosed much about its plans, the hiring of former chief executive of DoubleClick suggests that Google plans to expand further into the display advertising market.  Search Concepts offers both display and text advertising though our pay per click advertising services.

We have previously blogged about how the proliferation of mobile Internet use will make SEO increasingly important.  Next week, the first phone using Google’s Android software will be released.