Google shares rise after online ad sales drive revenue higher

Google has received nearly 145,000 requests from people in Europe looking to polish their online reputations. (AP)

Google reported higher quarterly revenue and profit as rising online ad volume offset a hit from the strong dollar, sending the Internet company's shares higher in after-hours trading.

Shares of the world's No. 1 Internet search engine rose after the results were released, climbing 3.5pc on Thursday to $577.

While revenue and profit missed the forecasts of Wall Street analysts, many investors had been bracing for a weaker report, said BGC Financial analyst Colin Gillis.

The company has faced challenges in mobile advertising and is running up more expenses as it invests in new businesses.

"The concern was that the first quarter results could have been much worse," Gillis said. "There's a certain degree of relief rally happening."

Revenue for the quarter that ended in March rose 12pc to $17.26bn, from $15.42bn a year earlier. Analysts on average had expected revenue of $17.5bn, according to Thomson Reuters.

The rising dollar took a toll on results at Google, which generates about half of its revenue overseas.

"Excluding the net impact of foreign currency headwinds, revenue grew a healthy 17pc year on year,” Google Chief Financial Officer Patrick Pichette said in a statement.