Sensis and Google today announced a commercial agreement to provide Australians with access to Yellow business listings on Google Maps.

The agreement enables users of Google Maps to search across all local business listings provided by Yellow, Australias most comprehensive local business directory; and makes it possible for businesses advertising with Yellow to be found by potential customers using Google Maps to look for a local business.

Announcing the agreement, Sensis CEO, Bruce Akhurst, said:

This agreement combines Sensis strong capabilities in advertising sales and local business content and Googles strong capabilities in online search and mapping technology.

Helping our customers grow their business is at the heart of everything we do. This agreement enables our Yellow advertisers to further extend their online presence and benefit from the significant reach of Google Maps. Its all about helping to deliver more customers through their doors.

The agreement means Yellow advertisers can now potentially be found by more customers than ever before. They can be found in our print and online directories, over the phone, in a growing range of satellite navigation devices, on mobile phones, on search engines and on online mapping sites, which now includes the popular Google Maps.

General Manager of Google Australia, Karim Temsamani said:

Were always looking for high quality content for our users. This agreement is great news for our users who now have the most comprehensive source of Australian local business information at the click of a mouse through Google Maps. In all sectors of the economy, the internet is an important part of Australians research and buying patterns, whether they buy online or offline. Small businesses are realising the importance of extending their presence online to reach customers. Searching Google Maps is a popular way for consumers to find local businesses and services.

Google Maps, which includes popular features such as My Maps and Street View, is available online at maps.google.com.au. Business listings from Yellow are scheduled to be available in the first quarter of the 2009 calendar year.

Also announced today, Google will provide web search and advertising through Googles AdSense for Search advertising program on sensis.com.au and partner sites such as bigpond.com. This will provide users with fast, accurate web results through Google search as well as relevant text ads when performing a search directly on these sites.