Revision as of 05:51, 6 July 2025

Google

Google is a multinational technology company 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 since grown into one of the world's most valuable companies and a dominant force in the technology industry.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

History

Google was officially founded on **September 4, 1998**, by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, who developed a search algorithm called PageRank while at Stanford. The algorithm analyzed the relationships between websites to determine their importance, providing more relevant search results than existing methods.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Early Years (1998–2004)

The company's first office was a rented garage in Menlo Park, California.
In 1999, Google moved to Mountain View, California, where its headquarters, the Googleplex, remains today.
The company launched AdWords in 2000, introducing a pay-per-click advertising model that became a major revenue source.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Expansion and IPO (2004–2010)

Google went public on **August 19, 2004**, with an initial public offering (IPO) that raised $1.67 billion.
The company expanded its product lineup, introducing Gmail (2004), Google Maps (2005), and Google Chrome (2008).
In 2006, Google acquired YouTube, which became the world's largest video-sharing platform.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Alphabet Inc. and Beyond (2015–Present)

In 2015, Google reorganized under a new parent company, Alphabet Inc., to separate its core businesses from newer ventures like Waymo (self-driving cars) and Verily (life sciences).
Google continues to dominate the search engine market, with over **90% global market share** as of 2023.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Products and Services

Google offers a wide range of products and services, including:

Search Engine

Google Search is the company's flagship product, processing billions of queries daily.
Features like Google Knowledge Graph and Featured Snippets enhance search results with structured data.

Advertising

Google Ads (formerly AdWords) allows businesses to display ads on Google's platforms.
Google AdSense enables publishers to monetize their websites with targeted ads.

Cloud Computing

Google Cloud Platform (GCP) provides infrastructure and software services for businesses.
Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) includes productivity tools like Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Docs.

Hardware

Google manufactures hardware such as Pixel smartphones, Nest smart home devices, and Chromecast.

Artificial Intelligence

Google AI develops machine learning technologies like TensorFlow and Bard, an AI chatbot.

Corporate Structure and Culture

Google operates under Alphabet Inc., with Sundar Pichai serving as CEO since 2015. The company is known for its unconventional workplace culture, including:

20% time, allowing employees to spend one-fifth of their time on side projects.
Open office layouts and perks like free meals and on-site gyms.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Criticism and Controversies

Google has faced scrutiny over several issues:

Privacy Concerns

The company has been criticized for collecting user data through services like Google Analytics and Google Street View.
In 2019, Google was fined **€50 million** by France for violating the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Antitrust Issues

Google has been accused of monopolistic practices, including favoring its own services in search results.
In 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google for alleged anti-competitive behavior.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Censorship and Ethics

Google has been criticized for complying with censorship requests in countries like China (e.g., Project Dragonfly).
Employees have protested the company's contracts with military and government agencies, such as Project Maven.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Influence and Impact

Google has profoundly shaped the internet and modern technology:

Its search engine revolutionized information access, making it the most visited website globally.
Android, acquired in 2005, powers over **70% of smartphones** worldwide.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Google's innovations in AI, cloud computing, and advertising have set industry standards.

References

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-== Introduction ==
+= Google =
-'''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 to become one of the most influential companies in the world. The company is best known for its [[search engine]], which processes billions of queries daily, but it also offers a wide range of products, including [[Google Cloud|cloud computing]], [[Google Workspace|productivity software]], [[Android (operating system)|mobile operating systems]], and [[Google Ads|advertising technologies]]. Google is a subsidiary of [[Alphabet Inc.]], a holding company created in 2015 to better manage its diverse business interests.
+'''Google''' is a multinational technology company 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 since grown into one of the world's most valuable companies and a dominant force in the technology industry.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Google |url=https://about.google/ |publisher=Google |access-date=2023-10-10}}</ref>
-Google's mission statement, "'''to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful'''," reflects its broad ambitions in technology and data management. The company has played a pivotal role in shaping the modern internet, from pioneering advancements in [[machine learning]] to developing open-source software like [[Chromium (web browser)|Chromium]] and [[TensorFlow]]. With offices in over 50 countries and a workforce exceeding 150,000 employees, Google continues to expand its influence across multiple industries.
 == History ==
-=== Founding and Early Years ===
+Google was officially founded on **September 4, 1998**, by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, who developed a [[search algorithm]] called [[PageRank]] while at Stanford. The algorithm analyzed the relationships between websites to determine their importance, providing more relevant search results than existing methods.<ref>{{cite book |last=Page |first=Larry |title=The Anatomy of a Large-Scale Hypertextual Web Search Engine |year=1998 |publisher=Stanford University}}</ref>
-Google traces its origins to a research project by Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 1996. Their work focused on developing a more efficient [[web search]] algorithm, which they initially named "BackRub" due to its reliance on [[backlink]] analysis. By 1997, they renamed the project "Google," a play on the word "googol," representing the vast amount of data they aimed to index. The domain name "google.com" was registered on September 15, 1997, and the company was officially incorporated on September 4, 1998, with an initial investment of $100,000 from [[Andy Bechtolsheim]], co-founder of [[Sun Microsystems]].
-Google's first office was a rented garage in [[Menlo Park, California]], where the team worked on refining their search engine. The company's breakthrough came with the introduction of the [[PageRank]] algorithm, which ranked web pages based on their relevance and authority. This innovation set Google apart from competitors like [[Yahoo!]] and [[AltaVista]], leading to rapid adoption by users.
+=== Early Years (1998–2004) ===
+* The company's first office was a rented garage in [[Menlo Park, California]].
+* In 1999, Google moved to [[Mountain View, California]], where its headquarters, the [[Googleplex]], remains today.
+* The company launched [[AdWords]] in 2000, introducing a pay-per-click advertising model that became a major revenue source.<ref>{{cite news |title=Google AdWords Launches |url=https://www.wired.com/2000/10/google-adwords-launches/ |work=Wired |date=2000-10-23}}</ref>
-=== Growth and Expansion ===
+=== Expansion and IPO (2004–2010) ===
-In 2000, Google launched [[Google AdWords]] (now [[Google Ads]]), an advertising platform that allowed businesses to display targeted ads alongside search results. This became the company's primary revenue source, fueling further expansion. By 2004, Google had grown significantly, prompting an [[initial public offering]] (IPO) that raised $1.67 billion and valued the company at $23 billion.
+* Google went public on **August 19, 2004**, with an [[initial public offering]] (IPO) that raised $1.67 billion.
+* The company expanded its product lineup, introducing [[Gmail]] (2004), [[Google Maps]] (2005), and [[Google Chrome]] (2008).
+* In 2006, Google acquired [[YouTube]], which became the world's largest [[video-sharing platform]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Google Buys YouTube for $1.65 Billion |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/09/business/09cnd-deal.html |work=The New York Times |date=2006-10-09}}</ref>
-Throughout the 2000s, Google diversified its product portfolio, introducing services such as:
+=== Alphabet Inc. and Beyond (2015–Present) ===
-* [[Gmail]] (2004)
+* In 2015, Google reorganized under a new parent company, [[Alphabet Inc.]], to separate its core businesses from newer ventures like [[Waymo]] (self-driving cars) and [[Verily]] (life sciences).
-* [[Google Maps]] (2005)
+* Google continues to dominate the search engine market, with over **90% global market share** as of 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=Search Engine Market Share Worldwide |url=https://gs.statcounter.com/search-engine-market-share |publisher=StatCounter |access-date=2023-10-10}}</ref>
-* [[Google Chrome]] (2008)
-* [[Android (operating system)|Android]] (acquired in 2005, first commercial release in 2008)
-The company also expanded its infrastructure, building data centers worldwide to support its growing user base. In 2006, Google acquired [[YouTube]], the leading online video platform, for $1.65 billion, further solidifying its dominance in digital media.
+== Products and Services ==
+Google offers a wide range of products and services, including:
-=== Formation of Alphabet Inc. ===
+=== Search Engine ===
-In 2015, Google underwent a major corporate restructuring, forming [[Alphabet Inc.]] as its parent company. This move separated Google's core internet services from its more experimental ventures, such as [[Waymo]] (self-driving cars) and [[Verily]] (life sciences). [[Sundar Pichai]] became CEO of Google, while Larry Page and Sergey Brin assumed leadership roles at Alphabet.
+* [[Google Search]] is the company's flagship product, processing billions of queries daily.
+* Features like [[Google Knowledge Graph]] and [[Featured Snippets]] enhance search results with structured data.
-== Products and Services ==
+=== Advertising ===
-Google offers a vast array of products and services, many of which are integrated into its ecosystem. Below are some of the most notable offerings:
+* [[Google Ads]] (formerly AdWords) allows businesses to display ads on Google's platforms.
+* [[Google AdSense]] enables publishers to monetize their websites with targeted ads.
-=== Search and Advertising ===
-* '''[[Google Search]]''': The company's flagship product, handling over 90% of global search queries as of 2023.
-* '''[[Google Ads]]''': An online advertising platform that generates the majority of Google's revenue.
-* '''[[Google Analytics]]''': A web analytics service used by businesses to track website traffic and user behavior.
 === Cloud Computing ===
-* '''[[Google Cloud Platform]]''': A suite of cloud computing services, including infrastructure, machine learning, and data storage.
+* [[Google Cloud Platform]] (GCP) provides infrastructure and software services for businesses.
-* '''[[Google Workspace]]''': A collection of productivity tools, such as [[Google Docs]], [[Google Sheets]], and [[Google Meet]].
+* [[Google Workspace]] (formerly G Suite) includes productivity tools like [[Gmail]], [[Google Drive]], and [[Google Docs]].
 === Hardware ===
-* '''[[Pixel (smartphone)|Pixel]]''': A line of smartphones running the Android operating system.
+* Google manufactures hardware such as [[Pixel (smartphone)|Pixel smartphones]], [[Google Nest|Nest smart home devices]], and [[Chromecast]].
-* '''[[Google Nest]]''': Smart home devices, including thermostats and speakers.
-* '''[[Chromecast]]''': A media streaming device.
+=== Artificial Intelligence ===
+* [[Google AI]] develops machine learning technologies like [[TensorFlow]] and [[Bard (chatbot)|Bard]], an AI chatbot.
-=== Software and Operating Systems ===
+== Corporate Structure and Culture ==
-* '''[[Android (operating system)|Android]]''': The world's most popular mobile operating system, used by billions of devices.
+Google operates under Alphabet Inc., with [[Sundar Pichai]] serving as CEO since 2015. The company is known for its unconventional workplace culture, including:
-* '''[[ChromeOS]]''': A lightweight operating system designed for [[Chromebook]] laptops.
+* [[20% time]], allowing employees to spend one-fifth of their time on side projects.
-* '''[[Google Chrome]]''': The dominant web browser, with a market share exceeding 60% as of 2023.
+* Open office layouts and perks like free meals and on-site gyms.<ref>{{cite book |last=Levy |first=Steven |title=In the Plex: How Google Thinks, Works, and Shapes Our Lives |year=2011 |publisher=Simon & Schuster}}</ref>
 == Criticism and Controversies ==
-Google has faced significant scrutiny over its business practices, privacy policies, and market dominance. Some of the most notable controversies include:
+Google has faced scrutiny over several issues:
+=== Privacy Concerns ===
+* The company has been criticized for collecting user data through services like [[Google Analytics]] and [[Google Street View]].
+* In 2019, Google was fined **€50 million** by France for violating the [[General Data Protection Regulation]] (GDPR).<ref>{{cite news |title=Google Fined €50 Million by France for GDPR Violation |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-46944696 |work=BBC News |date=2019-01-21}}</ref>
 === Antitrust Issues ===
-Google has been the subject of multiple antitrust investigations, particularly in the [[European Union]] and the [[United States]]. In 2018, the [[European Commission]] fined Google €4.34 billion for abusing its dominance in the Android market by pre-installing Google apps on devices.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_18_4581 |title=Antitrust: Commission fines Google €4.34 billion for illegal practices regarding Android mobile devices |publisher=European Commission |date=July 18, 2018}}</ref> Similar cases have been brought by the [[U.S. Department of Justice]], alleging anti-competitive behavior in search and advertising.
+* Google has been accused of monopolistic practices, including favoring its own services in search results.
+* In 2020, the [[U.S. Department of Justice]] filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google for alleged anti-competitive behavior.<ref>{{cite news |title=U.S. Sues Google for Antitrust Violations |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-accuses-google-of-illegally-protecting-monopoly-11603155759 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=2020-10-20}}</ref>
-=== Privacy Concerns ===
+=== Censorship and Ethics ===
-Google's data collection practices have drawn criticism from privacy advocates. In 2019, the company was fined $170 million by the [[Federal Trade Commission]] for violating children's privacy laws on YouTube.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2019/09/google-youtube-will-pay-record-170-million-alleged-violations |title=Google and YouTube Will Pay Record $170 Million for Alleged Violations of Children’s Privacy Law |publisher=FTC |date=September 4, 2019}}</ref> Other concerns include the tracking of user locations and the use of personal data for targeted advertising.
+* Google has been criticized for complying with censorship requests in countries like [[China]] (e.g., [[Project Dragonfly]]).
+* Employees have protested the company's contracts with military and government agencies, such as [[Project Maven]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Google Employees Protest Work on Pentagon AI Project |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/04/technology/google-letter-ceo-pentagon-project.html |work=The New York Times |date=2018-04-04}}</ref>
-=== Censorship and Ethical Concerns ===
-Google has been accused of complying with censorship requests from authoritarian governments, such as in [[China]], where it operated a filtered search engine ([[Google China]]) until 2010. The company has also faced backlash over its work with the [[U.S. military]] and its handling of employee protests related to ethical issues.
 == Influence and Impact ==
-Google has profoundly shaped the internet and modern technology. Its search engine revolutionized information retrieval, while products like Android and Chrome have become ubiquitous. The company's innovations in [[artificial intelligence]] (e.g., [[Google DeepMind|DeepMind]] and [[Google Bard]]) continue to push the boundaries of machine learning.
+Google has profoundly shaped the internet and modern technology:
+* Its search engine revolutionized information access, making it the most visited website globally.
-Google's open-source contributions, such as the [[Chromium]] browser engine and the [[Kubernetes]] container orchestration system, have had a lasting impact on software development. Additionally, its philanthropic arm, [[Google.org]], supports initiatives in education, crisis response, and environmental sustainability.
+* Android, acquired in 2005, powers over **70% of smartphones** worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mobile Operating System Market Share |url=https://gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share/mobile/worldwide |publisher=StatCounter |access-date=2023-10-10}}</ref>
+* Google's innovations in AI, cloud computing, and advertising have set industry standards.
-== See also ==
+== See Also ==
 * [[Alphabet Inc.]]
 * [[History of Google]]
 * [[List of Google products]]
-* [[Google antitrust cases]]
+* [[Criticism of Google]]
-* [[Comparison of web search engines]]
 == References ==
@@ Line 75: / Line 77: @@
 [[Category:Internet companies of the United States]]
 [[Category:Technology companies of the United States]]
-[[Category:Search engines]]
+[[Category:Web search engines]]