MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Jan. 21 (UPI) -- U.S. search engine giant Google said it is planning a service similar to the deal-of-the-day model used by Groupon, which ended merger talks with Google.
Google said in a statement Friday it was "communicating with small businesses to enlist their support and participation in a test of a prepaid offers/vouchers program," MarketWatch reported.
The Mountain View, Calif., company said its initiative "is part of an ongoing effort at Google to make new products, such as the recent Offer Ads beta, that connect businesses with customers in new ways."
Google declined to offer further details, MarketWatch said.
Google previously disclosed details about its project, which would enable companies to place coupon offers in their sponsored-search links on Google.com.
Groupon, which turned aside a $6 billion offer from Google, said it is proceeding with an initial public offering.
