Pursuits

Google Benefits as Priceline Outspends Expedia on Web Ads: Tech

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Priceline.com Inc. has boosted annual ad spending to more than $1 billion for the first time, extending its lead over Expedia Inc. in the hotel-booking market and stepping up a rivalry that’s benefiting Google Inc.

Even as social-networking services Facebook Inc. and Twitter Inc. capture a widening share of the Web-advertising market, the top online travel agents still choose to place most of their ads on search sites, where consumers can quickly compare prices and complete a transaction in a matter of clicks.