With Twitter deal, Google searches show tweets

Jessica Guynn | USA TODAY

SAN FRANCISCO — Tweets are now showing up in Google search results on mobile devices in a bid by Twitter to increase its mainstream appeal.

Google and Twitter made the announcement Tuesday.

"It's a great way to get real-time info when something is happening," Ardan Arac, senior product manager for Google, wrote in a blog post. "And it's another way for organizations and people on Twitter to reach a global audience at the most relevant moments."

Searches turning up tweets will include key phrases such as Mad Men and Malcolm X, and hashtags such as #NBADraftLottery.

The new service is only available in English and on desktops for the time being.

"When tapping on a tweet in Google search, you'll be taken directly to Twitter where you can view the Tweet and discover additional content," Jana Messerschmidt, vice president of global business development & platform at Twitter said in a blog post. "By deeply integrating Twitter's real-time content into Google search, we hope you find it easier than ever to explore your interests across both Twitter and Google."

Twitter and Google inked the deal in February to give Google access to the half-billion daily tweets and the ability to show them in search results.

Twitter is banking the exposure will drive more traffic and more interest in its service, prompting more people to join. Twitter has 303 million monthly active users. It has lagged Facebook in popularity and struggled to attract new users.