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.
See Also
References
<references />