• Mashable, Friday, January 21, 2011 12:25 PM

Take that, Groupon! As Google executives previously suggested, the search giant is going full-speed ahead with a daily-deal service. "Google Offers is a new product to help potential customers and clientele find great deals in their area through a daily email," reads a confidential fact sheet obtained by Mashable. At first glance, Google Offers looks and operates just like Groupon and other daily deal services, which send subscribers limited-time discounts on local services via email.

"From what we can tell, Google Offers will be powered by Google Checkout," writes Mashable. "It also includes Facebook, Twitter, Google Reader, Google Buzz and e-mail sharing options." As Google admits, it's already actively reaching out to businesses to get them on board with Offers, and has assembled a dedicated writing team to craft the offers. "Google is communicating with small businesses to enlist their support and participation in a test of a pre-paid offers/vouchers program," Google said in a statement to Mashable. Also, according to Mashable, Google plans to pay out 80% of a business' revenue share three days after its deal runs, while holding onto the remaining 20% for 60 days to cover potential refunds.

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