• CNN Money , Tuesday, October 9, 2007 1:30 PM

This finance-focused piece uses feedback from investment analysts to examine Ask and Google's symbiotic relationship -- and the repercussions for the smaller search engine if it is unable to (or chooses not to) renew its ad and content distribution deal with the search giant. The deal expires at the end of this year - and there's been no word yet on whether the two engines have been able to set agreeable revenue-sharing terms.

While Google used to depend on partners like AOL and Ask to bulk up its traffic, the search giant has steadily gained search share quarter-over-quarter. Analysts like Youssef Squali from Jeffries & Co have remarked that Ask.com's contribution to Google's revenue isn't all that significant. "If it's more than 1% (of Google's total ad revenue) I would be shocked," he said.

Meanwhile, despite Ask's traffic surge due to its 3D revamp in June, the engine's market share has since remained relatively flat, according to sources like Hitwise -- and while the company could also pursue similar deals with Microsoft or Yahoo, they would come at a significant risk.

Read the whole story at CNN Money »