Google profit plummeted in the last three months of 2008, amid a tough economy.

Google net income was $382 million for the fourth quarter, down 68 pct from the same quarter a year ago when it earned $1.21 billion, the company reported on Thursday.

Google's revenue for the fourth quarter was $5.7 billion, up 18 percent from $4.83 billion in the same quarter a year ago.

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