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| logo = [[File:Google logo.png|200px]]
| logo = [[File:Google logo.png|200px]]
| caption = Google's logo since 2015
| caption = Google's logo since 2015
| founded = {{start date and age|1998|09|04}}
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| founders = [[Larry Page]], [[Sergey Brin]]
| foundation = {{start date and age|1998|09|04}}
| headquarters = [[Googleplex]], [[Mountain View, California]], U.S.
| founders = [[Larry Page]] and [[Sergey Brin]]
| industry = [[Internet]], [[Cloud computing]], [[Artificial intelligence]]
| location = [[Mountain View, California]], U.S.
| products = [[Google Search]], [[Google Chrome]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[Google Cloud]], [[YouTube]], [[Google Ads]]
| industry = [[Internet]], [[Cloud computing]], [[Artificial intelligence]], [[Advertising]]
| revenue = {{increase}} $279.8 billion (2023)
| products = [[Google Search]], [[Google Chrome]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[Google Cloud]], [[YouTube]], [[Google Ads]], [[Google Maps]], [[Gmail]]
| num_employees = ~190,000 (2024)
| revenue = {{US$|279.8 billion}} (2023)
| num_employees = 190,234 (2023)
| parent = [[Alphabet Inc.]]
| website = {{URL|https://www.google.com}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.google.com}}
}}
}}


== Introduction ==
'''Google LLC''' is an American [[multinational corporation]] specializing in [[Internet]]-related services and products, including [[online advertising]], [[search engine]] technology, [[cloud computing]], [[software]], and [[hardware]]. Founded in 1998 by [[Larry Page]] and [[Sergey Brin]] while they were [[Ph.D.]] students at [[Stanford University]], Google has grown to become one of the most influential technology companies in the world. It is a subsidiary of [[Alphabet Inc.]], which was created in 2015 to serve as Google's parent company. Google's headquarters, known as the [[Googleplex]], is located in [[Mountain View, California]].


'''Google''' is a multinational technology company specializing in [[Internet]]-related services and products. Founded in 1998 by [[Larry Page]] and [[Sergey Brin]] while they were Ph.D. students at [[Stanford University]], Google has grown into one of the world's most influential companies, dominating sectors such as [[web search]], [[online advertising]], [[cloud computing]], and [[mobile operating systems]]. The company's mission statement, "to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful," reflects its broad technological ambitions.
== History ==
=== Founding and early years ===
Google was founded on September 4, 1998, by [[Larry Page]] and [[Sergey Brin]], who developed a [[search algorithm]] called [[PageRank]] while studying at [[Stanford University]]. The algorithm analyzed the relationships between websites to determine their relevance, a significant improvement over existing search engines at the time. Initially named "BackRub," the project was later renamed "Google," a play on the word "[[googol]]" (the number 1 followed by 100 zeros), reflecting the company's mission to organize the world's information.


Google operates a vast ecosystem of products and services, including:
Google's first office was a rented garage in [[Menlo Park, California]], owned by [[Susan Wojcicki]], who later became the CEO of [[YouTube]]. The company received its first major funding of $100,000 from [[Andy Bechtolsheim]], co-founder of [[Sun Microsystems]].
* [[Google Search]], the world's most widely used search engine.
* [[Google Chrome]], the dominant [[web browser]] by market share.
* [[Android (operating system)|Android]], the most popular [[mobile operating system]] globally.
* [[YouTube]], the largest [[video-sharing platform]].
* [[Google Cloud]], a major player in [[cloud computing]] services.


The company is headquartered at the [[Googleplex]] in [[Mountain View, California]], and is a subsidiary of [[Alphabet Inc.]], a holding company created in 2015 to oversee Google and its various ventures.
=== Growth and expansion ===
In 2000, Google launched [[Google AdWords]] (now [[Google Ads]]), an advertising platform that allowed businesses to display ads alongside search results. This became a major revenue source. The same year, Google introduced the [[Google Toolbar]], which integrated its search engine into [[web browsers]].


== History or Background ==
Google expanded rapidly in the early 2000s, acquiring companies like [[Deja News]] (which led to the creation of [[Google Groups]]) and launching new products such as [[Google Images]] (2001) and [[Google News]] (2002). In 2004, Google held its [[initial public offering]] (IPO), raising $1.67 billion and valuing the company at $23 billion.


=== Early Development (1996–1998) ===
=== Alphabet Inc. and restructuring ===
Google originated from a research project called "BackRub," developed by Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 1996. The project explored a novel approach to ranking web pages using a system called [[PageRank]], which analyzed the quantity and quality of links pointing to a page. This method proved more effective than existing search algorithms, leading to the creation of Google's first prototype in 1998.
In 2015, Google underwent a major restructuring, creating [[Alphabet Inc.]] as its parent company. This move allowed Google to focus on its core businesses (search, advertising, and consumer products) while other ventures (such as [[Waymo]], [[Verily]], and [[DeepMind]]) operated as separate subsidiaries under Alphabet.


=== Founding and Initial Growth (1998–2004) ===
== Products and services ==
Google was officially incorporated on September 4, 1998, with initial funding from investors such as [[Andy Bechtolsheim]] (co-founder of [[Sun Microsystems]]). The company's first office was a rented garage in [[Menlo Park, California]]. By 1999, Google processed over 500,000 search queries daily, prompting a move to larger facilities in [[Mountain View]].
Google offers a wide range of products and services, including:


Key milestones during this period included:
=== Search and advertising ===
* The launch of [[Google AdWords]] in 2000, introducing a pay-per-click advertising model.
* [[Google Search]] – The company's flagship product, handling billions of queries daily.
* The release of the [[Google Toolbar]] in 2000, integrating search functionality into web browsers.
* [[Google Ads]] – An online advertising platform that generates most of Google's revenue.
* The indexing of over 3 billion web documents by 2002.
* [[Google AdSense]] – A program allowing publishers to display targeted ads on their websites.


=== IPO and Expansion (2004–2015) ===
=== Cloud computing ===
Google went public on August 19, 2004, with an initial public offering (IPO) that raised $1.67 billion. The company expanded rapidly through acquisitions and product launches, including:
* [[Google Cloud]] – A suite of cloud computing services, including [[Google Cloud Platform]] (GCP) and [[Google Workspace]] (formerly G Suite).
* The purchase of [[YouTube]] in 2006 for $1.65 billion.
* [[Google Drive]] – A file storage and synchronization service.
* The introduction of the [[Android (operating system)|Android]] operating system in 2007.
* The launch of [[Google Chrome]] in 2008.


=== Alphabet Inc. and Modern Era (2015–Present) ===
=== Software ===
In 2015, Google reorganized under [[Alphabet Inc.]], a newly formed holding company designed to separate its core businesses from experimental ventures like [[Waymo]] (self-driving cars) and [[Verily]] (life sciences). Under Alphabet, Google has continued to innovate in areas such as [[artificial intelligence]], [[quantum computing]], and [[cloud infrastructure]].
* [[Android (operating system)|Android]] – The world's most popular [[mobile operating system]].
* [[Google Chrome]] – A leading [[web browser]] and the foundation of [[ChromeOS]].
* [[Gmail]] – A free email service with over 1.5 billion users.
* [[Google Maps]] – A web mapping and navigation platform.


== Technical Details or Architecture ==
=== Hardware ===
 
* [[Pixel (smartphone)|Pixel]] – A line of smartphones and tablets.
=== Search Engine Infrastructure ===
* [[Google Nest]] – Smart home devices, including thermostats and speakers.
Google's search engine relies on a highly distributed architecture designed to handle billions of queries daily. Key components include:
* [[Chromecast]] – A media streaming device.
* '''Web Crawling''': [[Googlebot]], Google's web crawler, scans and indexes web pages continuously.
* '''Indexing''': Pages are stored in massive data centers, organized for rapid retrieval.
* '''Ranking Algorithms''': [[PageRank]] remains a foundational element, supplemented by machine learning models like [[RankBrain]] (2015).
 
=== Data Centers ===
Google operates one of the largest global networks of [[data centers]], featuring:
* Custom-designed servers optimized for energy efficiency.
* Advanced cooling systems to reduce power consumption.
* Locations spanning the U.S., Europe, Asia, and South America.
 
=== Machine Learning and AI ===
Google has integrated [[artificial intelligence]] into many products, including:
* [[Google Assistant]], a voice-activated AI assistant.
* [[TensorFlow]], an open-source machine learning framework.
* [[BERT (language model)|BERT]], a natural language processing model enhancing search accuracy.


=== Open-Source Contributions ===
=== Other services ===
Google has released numerous open-source projects, such as:
* [[YouTube]] – Acquired in 2006, it is the largest video-sharing platform globally.
* [[Kubernetes]], for container orchestration.
* [[Google Play]] – A digital distribution service for apps, books, and media.
* [[Chromium]], the open-source foundation of [[Google Chrome]].
* [[Google Assistant]] – A virtual assistant powered by [[artificial intelligence]].
* [[Go (programming language)|Go]], a programming language developed at Google.


== Applications or Use Cases ==
== Corporate structure and culture ==
Google operates under [[Alphabet Inc.]], with [[Sundar Pichai]] serving as CEO since 2015. The company is known for its unique corporate culture, emphasizing innovation, employee perks, and a relaxed work environment. Google's offices feature amenities such as free meals, fitness centers, and recreational spaces.


=== Consumer Products ===
The company's motto, "[[Don't be evil]]" (later revised to "Do the right thing"), reflected its early commitment to ethical business practices. However, this has been a subject of controversy as Google has faced scrutiny over privacy, antitrust, and labor issues.
Google offers a wide range of consumer-facing services:
* [[Google Search]]: Processes over 8.5 billion searches daily (2024).
* [[Gmail]]: A free email service with over 1.8 billion active users.
* [[Google Maps]]: Provides navigation, traffic data, and local business information.
* [[Google Drive]]: Cloud storage with collaborative editing via [[Google Docs]].


=== Enterprise Solutions ===
== Criticism and controversies ==
For businesses, Google provides:
Google has faced numerous criticisms, including:
* [[Google Workspace]]: A suite of productivity tools including Gmail, Docs, and Meet.
* [[Google Cloud Platform]]: Offers computing, storage, and AI services for enterprises.
* [[Google Ads]]: An advertising platform enabling targeted digital marketing.
 
=== Hardware ===
Google designs and sells hardware products like:
* [[Pixel (smartphone)|Pixel]] smartphones.
* [[Nest (company)|Nest]] smart home devices.
* [[Chromecast]], a media streaming device.


== Relevance in Computing or Industry ==
=== Privacy concerns ===
Google has been accused of collecting excessive user data through its services. In 2019, the company was fined €50 million by France's data protection authority for violating the [[General Data Protection Regulation]] (GDPR).


=== Dominance in Web Search ===
=== Antitrust issues ===
Google controls approximately 90% of the global search engine market, making it the de facto gateway to the Internet for billions of users. Its search algorithms influence web traffic, SEO practices, and digital marketing strategies worldwide.
Google has faced multiple [[antitrust]] investigations, particularly regarding its dominance in search and advertising. In 2020, the [[U.S. Department of Justice]] filed a lawsuit accusing Google of maintaining an illegal monopoly in search.


=== Influence on Mobile Computing ===
=== Labor and ethics ===
[[Android (operating system)|Android]] powers over 70% of smartphones globally, shaping mobile app development and device ecosystems. Google's partnerships with manufacturers like [[Samsung]] and [[Xiaomi]] have cemented its position in the industry.
Google has been criticized for its handling of employee protests, including the 2018 walkout over sexual harassment policies. The company has also faced backlash over its work with the U.S. military ([[Project Maven]]) and its operations in China ([[Project Dragonfly]]).


=== Cloud Computing ===
== Influence and impact ==
[[Google Cloud]] competes with [[Amazon Web Services|AWS]] and [[Microsoft Azure]], offering scalable infrastructure for businesses. Key differentiators include:
Google has profoundly shaped the internet and modern technology. Its search engine revolutionized information access, while products like [[Android]] and [[YouTube]] have become integral to daily life. Google's innovations in [[machine learning]] and [[artificial intelligence]] (e.g., [[Google DeepMind|DeepMind]]'s [[AlphaFold]]) have advanced scientific research.
* Advanced AI and data analytics tools.
* Global fiber-optic network for low-latency connectivity.


=== Ethical and Regulatory Challenges ===
The company's advertising model has transformed digital marketing, and its open-source projects (e.g., [[Chromium (web browser)|Chromium]], [[TensorFlow]]) have fostered global collaboration in software development.
Google has faced scrutiny over:
* [[Antitrust]] investigations regarding monopolistic practices.
* Privacy concerns related to data collection in services like [[Google Analytics]].
* Controversies over AI ethics, such as biases in machine learning models.


== See also ==
== See also ==
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* [[History of Google]]
* [[History of Google]]
* [[List of Google products]]
* [[List of Google products]]
* [[Google Search algorithm]]
* [[Google Doodle]]
* [[Google and privacy]]
* [[Google X]]
* [[Comparison of web search engines]]


== References ==
== References ==
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== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{Official website}}
* {{Official website|https://www.google.com}}
* [https://about.google/ Google About page]
* [https://about.google/ Google About]
* [https://ai.google/ Google AI research]
* [https://abc.xyz/ Alphabet Inc.]


[[Category:Internet companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Internet companies]]
[[Category:Technology companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Technology companies]]
[[Category:Search engines]]
[[Category:Search engines]]
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