Google’s third quarter results disappoint

A slowdown in paid clicks has led to Google posting third quarter results which were short of analysts’ expectations.

Google reported consolidated revenues of $US16.52 billion ($18.86 billion) for the quarter ended September 30, an increase of 20% year-on-year. Profit, minus some costs, was $6.35 a share. Analysts were expecting revenue of $16.59 billion and profit of $6.54 a share.

Revenues from outside of the United States totalled $9.55 billion, representing 58% of total revenues for the quarter.

The tech giant says reported a 17% year-on-year decline in aggregate paid clicks, which include clicks related to ads served on Google sites and the sites of its network members. The costs of acquiring those clicks decreased by approximately 2% over the quarter.

The company now employs 55,030 full-time employees, up from 52,069 in the quarter prior.

Google chief financial officer Patrick Pichette says the results highlighted the increase in revenue year-on-year and says it was another strong performance.

“We continue to be excited about the growth in our advertising and emerging businesses.”