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[[Category:Google]] | |||
[[Category:Internet search engines]] | |||
'''Google LLC''' is an American multinational technology company that specializes in Internet-related services and products, including online advertising technologies, a search engine, cloud computing, software, and hardware. It is considered one of the Big Five companies in the U.S. information technology industry, alongside Amazon, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft. | |||
[[File:Google 2015 logo.svg|thumb|right|Google's logo]]Founded in September 1998 by '''Larry Page''' and '''Sergey Brin''' while they were PhD students at Stanford University, Google started as a search engine project and rapidly evolved into one of the most influential companies in the world. | |||
== History == | |||
Google was officially launched on '''September 4, 1998''', in Menlo Park, California. The company was incorporated while its founders were still students. The domain name '''google.com''' was registered on '''September 15, 1997'''. The name is a play on the word “googol,” a mathematical term for the number 1 followed by 100 zeros, reflecting the company’s mission to organize vast amounts of information. | |||
In 2004, Google held its initial public offering (IPO) and moved to its current headquarters, the '''Googleplex''', in Mountain View, California. | |||
In '''2015''', Google underwent a major corporate restructuring and became a subsidiary of '''Alphabet Inc.''', with Sundar Pichai appointed as the CEO of Google. | |||
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== Products and Services == | |||
== | === Search Engine === | ||
Google has | Google Search is the most widely used web-based search engine globally. It processes over 3.5 billion searches per day and has become synonymous with web searching. | ||
=== Advertising === | |||
Google’s primary revenue comes from '''Google Ads''', its advertising platform that allows businesses to display ads across its services and partner sites. | |||
== | === Software === | ||
* '''Android''': A mobile operating system used by the majority of smartphones worldwide. | |||
* '''Google Chrome''': A popular web browser launched in 2008. | |||
* '''Gmail''': A widely used email service. | |||
* '''Google Drive''': A cloud storage service. | |||
* '''Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides''': Productivity tools that compete with Microsoft Office. | |||
=== Hardware === | |||
Google has developed a range of consumer electronics, including: | |||
* '''Pixel smartphones''' | |||
* '''Nest smart home devices''' | |||
* '''Chromebooks''' | |||
* '''Pixel Watch''' | |||
* '''Google Glass''' (an experimental wearable device) | |||
=== Cloud Services === | |||
'''Google Cloud Platform (GCP)''' offers infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and serverless computing environments for developers and enterprises. | |||
== Controversies and Criticisms == | |||
Google has faced criticism and legal challenges related to: | |||
* '''Privacy concerns''', especially regarding data collection. | |||
* '''Antitrust issues''' in the U.S. and the European Union. | |||
* '''Censorship''' and operations in countries with restrictive governments. | |||
* '''Workplace culture''' and treatment of employees. | |||
== Corporate Structure == | |||
Google operates under Alphabet Inc. and is led by CEO '''Sundar Pichai''', who also serves as CEO of Alphabet as of 2019. | |||
== Global Impact == | |||
Google has significantly influenced the development of the internet and digital culture. Its services have changed how people access information, communicate, and navigate the world. The verb “'''to google'''” is commonly used to mean searching the web. | |||
== See Also == | |||
* Alphabet Inc. | |||
* Larry Page | |||
* Sergey Brin | |||
* Google Search | |||
* Android (operating system) | |||
* YouTube (acquired by Google in 2006) | |||