Google is testing a feature that enables Google Talk users to embed YouTube and Google Video clips to its instant messaging program.

Gmail users can now send videos while using Google's instant messaging application simply by typing the URL in the chat box. This generates a thumbnail image in the chat window. If they click on the preview, a small video player will open up on the same page.

Select users were given the ability to video and audio chat through Gmail in November of last year.

Google is not the first to support embedded video clips in instant messenger applications; Yahoo Messenger and SAPO Messenger have provided similar services for over a year. But Google's acquisition of the popular YouTube in 2006 puts it at the forefront of video technology — making it easier to integrate services and position itself as a unified mainstream communications hub.

The next step will likely be to create a tool that allow users to watch videos from within an email message, rather than having to visit a URL or open a video viewing application, writes TechCrunch.

Such a capability would be of especial interest to advertisers. Banking on that, Goodmail Systems is already experimenting with ways to insert video into email for marketing clients.