What is Google?
Google, the Internet search engine founded in 1998 by Sergey Brin and Larry Page, is one of the most widely used websites on the planet. It is so popular, in fact, that the company name itself entered the lexicon as a verb: to google something means to search for it on the Internet. The company has expanded to include many other products and services, including Gmail, Google Maps, and Google Drive, in addition to the search engine. Google has also been at the forefront of technological innovation, with projects ranging from self-driving cars to Internet-beaming balloons.
The story of GOOGLE begins in 1996, when Brin and Page developed their first Web search algorithm from the privacy of their Stanford University dorm rooms. Their invention, originally named BackRub, employed a different way of ranking Web pages compared to other engines by tracking how frequently a Web site was linked to from others. This approach allowed for more precise and relevant results, which led to the rapid growth of their new venture.
By the time Google went public in 2004, it was processing some 200 million searches per day. That number grew to billions by the end of the decade, and by 2011, Google was handling some three billion searches each day. The company’s growth has been so dramatic that the name itself entered the lexicon as slang, meaning to search on the Internet.
As the company expanded, GOOGLE forged ahead with its vision of using the power of the Internet to enhance the human experience and solve global challenges. The company has pioneered numerous innovations in artificial intelligence, with applications that have changed the way we live and work.
GOOGLE has continued to push the limits of technological innovation, with its research and development division (known as X) working on ambitious projects such as self-driving cars and delivery drones. This commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology has earned the company a lot of scrutiny and criticism over data collection and the use of personal information.
In 2015, GOOGLE reorganized its structure into a holding company called Alphabet Inc. Internet search and advertising remain part of Alphabet, while other Google ventures like the mobile operating system Android and video-sharing site YouTube are separate. Likewise, the longevity research firm Calico and home products company Nest are part of Alphabet. Founders Brin and Page continue to serve as co-presidents of the holding company, while Sundar Pichai became CEO of Google.
Other Google services include Google Books, Google News, and the Android smartphone operating system. The company also offers cloud storage solutions with Google Drive, and a suite of business tools known as Google Docs. Google Chrome, the most popular browser, is a key feature of Google’s online offerings. In addition, the company has several other popular services, including Google Calendar and the digital voice assistant known as Google Assistant. The company’s corporate philosophy is captured in its famous slogan, “Don’t be evil,” and is embodied by the company dog, Yoshka.
