Now, consumers can connect to 4Info on their mobile Web browsers to get back search results that also include maps and other images. It will also allow mobile advertisers to place display as well as text ads through 4Info. Search results will show one contextual ad--either banner or text--per mobile Web page.

General Motors and First Republic Bank are among the marketers that are advertising with 4Info. GM ran a campaign during the fall in which users who entered their ZIP code to find local Chevy dealers also received a free tank of gas. Ad campaigns through 4Info have been mainly based on keywords, but the company is starting to offer more advertising targeted by demographic factors, according to company CEO Zaw Thet. He said the company is able to build up a user profile over time, based on consumers' text-messaging history, to target ads more effectively.

In addition to expanding its service to the mobile Web, 4Info today also began offering the ability to create text alerts in its mobile search engine that can be delivered via text-message. With the new feature, users can have sports scores or news updates delivered automatically to their phones.

4Info investors include U.S. Venture Partners, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, and Gannett Company.

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