The Los Angeles Times reports that on August 13, Google launched Google.ps, a new domain in the Palestinian territories which enables an estimated 2.4 million residents to redefine their searches. The new domain is in addition to other local domains that Google has launched, including google.co.uk (Google United Kingdom) and google.jo (Google Jordan).

According to Google's Arabiya blog, the new domain will allow Palestinian users to "access Google in Arabic ... and to [access] more locally relevant content." Before Google.ps, Palestinian users have had to rely on foreign domains; Google.jo and Egypt's Google.eg in the West Bank and Gaza, respectively.

Google.ps will also allow for more localized searches which will enable more effective targeted advertising via Google's AdWords software. AdWords places ads using search terms and location based on IP address. Nasir M., who runs an online business from the Palestinian territory, believes that Google.ps will allow Palestinians to "use more local services and rely more on local business, especially with the region-specific ads."

Global Voices notes that Palestinians in East Jerusalem will not have automatic access to Google.ps, although anyone can access the engine by typing in the URL directly.

Google.ps brings Google's total number of worldwide domains to 160, says the LA Times. The company, which plans to unroll more domains in the coming months, has launched 6 new domains this year in the Middle East and Africa bringing the total to 30 in Africa and 12 in the Arabic-speaking world.