Twitter is preparing to “test” a new strategy that will let advertisers have their ads show up as tiny 140-word posts when users search through Twitter or through other search engines that use its API. The platform will be very similar to Google Adsense search ads.

The ads will be coupled to Twitter searches, in a similar way that Google’s original ads were. So a search for, say, “printer,” may generate an ad for Epson. The ads will only be seen in search results. This means users who don’t search for something won’t see them in their regular Twitter streams.

The ads will use the familiar 140-characters-or-less Twitter format–and will be distributed via the third-party software and services that utilize Twitter’s API. The services will have the choice of displaying the ads, and Twitter will share revenue with those that do.

This appears to be a fairly simple way for Twitter to get into advertising, without upsetting its growing user base. A launch date has not been set, though it seems as if the first half of this year is a very safe bet.

Internet users are comfortable with and expect to see search ads, but Twitter’s search capabilities are very basic. They will need to develop their search so users will use it.

Building on the Google model is a smart move for Twitter with plenty of potential.