Google, a most-used Internet search engine, will begin selling animated display advertisements that appear on other Web sites, moving beyond the text advertisements currently available through its AdSense program.
Google will also give advertisers a way to use the AdSense to specify which Internet sites should feature their spots, said Tim Armstrong, Google's vice president of advertising.
The Mountain View, California-based company also will let advertisers buy advertisements based on how many visitors will see them.
Offering animated spots may help Google sell advertisements to companies seeking to promote brand awareness, in addition to advertisements that encourage an immediate sale.
The new products may heighten competition for Yahoo! and advertising firms seeking business from larger advertisers that want to introduce Web users to their products.
Google's new advertising system will be available on a test basis on Monday and will be made available to more customers in coming weeks, the company said.
AdSense places relevant spots on Web sites such as online newspapers and Web logs. A story on Hawaii, for example, will include advertisements for Hawaiian vacations.
Advertisers pay a fee, set on an online auction, each time a user clicks on the ads.
