Why Google tweeted Twitter

Google's integration of promoted tweets into the real-time search section of its live results, which it rolled out in late November, coincided with revelations it allegedly made two unsuccessful attempts to buy the social communication site.

The search giant supposedly made an initial offer of $2.5 billion which Twitter's founders said was 'insulting'. It then came back offering $4 billion but only again to be rebuffed.

I read this as there being open and ongoing discussions between the two technology companies, with the promoted tweets in Google being an overall greater sign of the emerging integration between both organisations.

Are these the first steps towards acquisition and integration in 2011-12?

Greenlight's Byrne is of the view that an alignment between Twitter and Google makes sense.

It could benefit both companies and their advertisers alike, giving Google a step into all things social, allowing it to remain current with its search engine results pages (SERPS), and propelling Twitter to even more users in markets it has yet to impact.