AOL's new Inktomi-driven Web search product, to be launched later this year, will give AOL and CompuServe customers access to traditional Internet search features as well as Inktomi's new developments, such as the ability to search photos and multimedia elements and conduct queries in foreign languages.

The new service is also designed to allow search personalization by enabling the user to control certain preferences that will be recalled at every search.

"This new agreement with Inktomi represents a significant step in our development of new, best-of-breed search services on AOL brands and will have a direct and positive impact on our members' and Web-based users' search experience," said Barry Schuler, president of AOL Interactive Services. "And by delivering multimedia, photo and foreign language search, we will continue to offer our members and Web-based users state-of-the-art search services."

The deal expands the relationship established in April 1998, under which AOL licensed Inktomi's Traffic Server network cache software.

"Inktomi's focus is on building the infrastructure of the Internet, and today's announcement builds on Inktomi's strong relationship with America Online and marks our broadest alliance with a company across both our portal and network suite of products," said David Peterschmidt, Inktomi's president and chief executive officer.

The new service will be available on several AOL brands, including AOL, AOL.COM and AOL's international properties.