Google's brand awareness among Chinese users has soared after the company announced last week that it may pull out of the country, according to a domestic research firm.

That may provide fresh fodder for those who believe the threat of Google's possible retreat from China is a market tactic to shore up its No 2 position in the country's search-engine market.

Edward Yu, president of domestic research firm Analysys International, told China Daily yesterday that his company has sensed a significant growth of search inquiries for Google.