Yahoo Inc. and Google Inc. may announce a search-advertising agreement as soon as early next week, according to media reports.

The Wall Street Journal said the companies have been in talks to have Google use its technology to place ads beside Yahoo search results, citing a source familiar with the matter.

Several analysts have estimated that a deal with Google could boost Yahoo's cash flow by as much as $1 billion a year.

Yahoo recently rejected a takeover bid by software giant Microsoft Corp., which is trying to boost its Internet advertising business and increasing competition against Google.

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