Google’s advertising system is being investigated by the US Justice Department, the company has revealed.
The internet search giant added that it had put aside $500m (£306m) to settle any potential charges.
The investigation is looking at how Google’s automated advertising system treats some unnamed advertisers.
A similar study is continuing to be carried out by the European Commission. Google’s advertising revenues hit $8.3bn in the first quarter of 2011.
Google revealed the Justice Department investigation in a regulatory filing to the US financial watchdog, the Securities and Exchange Commission.
It said that as a result of putting aside the $500m, its net profit for the first three months of this year would be less than first reported in April, falling to $1.8bn from $2.3bn.
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Google advertising under US probe