Google has recorded a 27% surge in net profit for the three months ending August, against the year-ago period.

The search giant made a net profit of $US1.64 billion for the quarter, pegging the gain on a revitalised online advertising market.

The result was handily ahead of analysts' expectations.

Revenue was up 7% from the year-ago quarter to $US5.94 billion.

Google chief executive Eric Schmidt is leaving Apple’s board.

Mr Schmidt’s resignation of his directorship will help head off a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) investigation that is assessing whether Apple and Google are in breach of the Clayton Act (which prevents companies with shared revenue sharing directors).

It is also seen as a signal that competition is intensifying between the two former partners.

The search giant’s earnings rose 9% in quarterly results released this morning on a conference call notable for the praise lavished on the upstart Twitter.

Google chief executive Eric Schmidt said his company is feeling the impact of the recession as he announced its quarterly results this morning.

The company expects is second and third quarters to be “Slow ... If you look at the economic situation, we're still basically in uncharted territory."