What is Google?

Google is the world’s most popular search engine, and one of the largest websites on the Internet. Its prominence has made it a cultural icon and even a verb: when someone is unsure of something, they may say “I’ll just Google it.” The company also offers a variety of other services, such as email with Gmail, video sharing on YouTube, maps with Google Maps, and more.

The company was founded by Sergey Brin and Larry Page, two Ph.D students at Stanford University, who began work on a search engine in 1995 while planning for graduate school. Initially called Backrub, their algorithm employed a unique method for ranking web pages based on the number and quality of other websites that linked to them, an approach that soon established them as leaders in search engine technology.

After establishing themselves, the pair set about attracting business. In 1998 they secured $100,000 from Sun co-founder Andy Bechtolsheim and changed the name of their company to Google Inc. A slick logo, featuring interlocking letters, was designed to reflect their passion for technology and their desire to make the web a better place. The company quickly expanded its offerings to include email, maps, and video sharing, along with a range of other online tools.

Many of these are free to use, and all operate through a cloud-based server system that allows for data storage and access from multiple devices. The company has been a leader in the field of artificial intelligence, and is investing heavily in technologies like quantum computing. While some critics have argued that its dominance in search and advertising stifles competition, Google continues to push the boundaries of what is possible with computer technology.

Google is a public company and its shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange. It is a member of the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is headquartered in Mountain View, California, United States.