The search engine's forthcoming online payment system has been dubbed 'GBuy', and analysts reckon it'll initially be focused on businesses that sell via Google.

The industry also reckons this is Google's first step in challenging eBay, and it won't be long before it starts its own online auction house.

Paul Allen of Computeractive magazine said:

"This is Google shooting a warning shot across eBay's bow."

eBay currently has 10 million UK users, while 75% of online searches are conducted via Google.