America Online Introduces New AOL Search

New Consumer Survey Finds More Than 80% of Respondents Turn To the Internet First When Searching for Information

DULLES, VA, JULY 31, 2002 -- America Online, Inc., the world's leading interactive services company, today unveiled its new AOL Search, a comprehensive online search service available to AOL members worldwide that delivers faster and more relevant results across all of AOL and the Web with Google's award-winning search engine. Designed to provide the easiest and fastest way for AOL members to find what they want online, the new AOL Search is one of the many enhancements that will become an integral part of an all-new AOL experience that will be introduced this Fall.

AOL Search brings a new level of ease-of-use to the online search experience. With one click, AOL members can search for information and get the best, most relevant results about any topic available, making AOL Search the only way to get search results not only from Google's comprehensive index of billions of documents, but from across the entire AOL service as well. As an added benefit, AOL members will be able to retrieve localized results that are most relevant to where they live.

"The Internet has helped transform the way people find information they need, and AOL has been a leader in providing easy access to online search services," said David Gang, Executive Vice President, Product Marketing, America Online, Inc. "As the latest enhancement to the AOL service, the new AOL Search builds on these efforts to give consumers what they want most: quick, direct access to relevant results. By offering enhanced results from Google together with the ability to search all of AOL, members can now quickly access the wealth of resources on AOL and the Internet about every topic and find what matters."

"AOL members can now search the equivalent of a stack of paper more than 140 miles high in less than half a second," said Sergey Brin, Google's Co-Founder and President of Technology. "Google's fast and highly relevant search results and targeted ads enable millions of America Online users around the world to find the information and services they need."

New Survey: Consumers Turn to Internet First

According to a national survey conducted by Digital Marketing Services Inc. (DMS), a leading provider of online research and a wholly owned subsidiary of America Online, more than 80 percent of consumers with online access polled say they now turn to the Internet first when searching for information. The Internet ranked significantly higher than many other popular sources of information, such as looking in the phonebook (7%), asking Mom (5%), or dialing 411 (2%).

DMS survey results also showed that the most popular thing people search for online is driving directions (61%), followed by vacation or travel information (60%) and hobbies/interests (57%), respondents also showed a keen interest in searching for information about acquaintances. More than 75% of people polled admitted to going online to seek out former classmates, family members and reflecting a growing trend toward "ego surfing," they also admitted doing a search on themselves.

"Search is no longer just a utility, it's fast becoming a cultural phenomenon," commented AOL Online Advisor, author and Internet trend expert Regina Lewis. "While practical searches like driving directions, information on products and jobs continue to top the charts, it's also getting more and more personal as people look for the scoop on former and current love interests, prospective baby names, and even what's 'out there' on themselves. Who doesn't wonder what ever happened to their junior prom date?"

New AOL Search is Easier, Faster

AOL Search is the only service that enables AOL members to search all of AOL's content and the rest of the Internet quickly and easily - from one place. Readily accessible at Keyword: Search, on the navigation toolbar, and throughout the AOL service, AOL Search combines the depth of information sources from the AOL service with the extensive reach of a Web search powered by Google's advanced technology to quickly deliver comprehensive search results.

AOL Search's streamlined design makes it easier and faster for AOL members to conduct searches and find what they need instantly. Search results are organized into four easy-to-use categories, including:

ú Recommended Sites work with AOL's leading Keyword system to help members find the best content, communities, resources and shopping available online, including relevant, local information; ú Matching Sites present the most relevant results collected from across all of AOL and the Web; ú Local Results provide links to local Yellow Pages listings that correspond to a given search; and ú Sponsored Links display links to recommended partners and advertisers of Google.

In addition, Google is now available within the search areas of Netscape, AOL.COM and CompuServe, and for members in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Netherlands, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Japan, Australia and Canada.

About America Online, Inc.

America Online, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of AOL Time Warner, Inc. Based in Dulles, Virginia, America Online is the world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies and e-commerce services.

Contact Info:
Cindy Harvey, America Online
703-265-1746