The move puts the firm in line to raise as much as $3.3bn (拢1.8bn) and would value it a potential $36bn if the whole company was floated based on 2003 earnings. However, because co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin are to use an online auction to set the eventual price, the value could be much higher.
The IPO is one of the most eagerly awaited for years and, once completed, will lead to the firm trading on the Nasdaq exchange under the ticker GOOG, according to a filing with the US Securities & Exchange Commission.
Risk factors mentioned by to prospective buyers include the "significant competition from Microsoft and Yahoo!", as well as further competition from companies "not yet known to us". It also highlights an expected decline in growth rates.
It has also been announced this week that has extended its relationship with Google as the provider of sponsored advertising links on its search and portal brands through to 2007.
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