Google is the world’s most visited website and the largest search engine in the world. It is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., which was founded in 1998 and has become one of the five largest American technology companies. The company’s core business is still search, though it has ventured into cloud computing, mobile operating systems, software, and hardware.
Google’s initial goal was to organize the world’s information. To achieve that mission, it created a search engine that would combine databases of information from various firms. This technology, known as PageRank, was patented in September 2001. Several years later, Google added Google Maps, an application that helps users locate locations, and Google Earth, a program that lets users view almost anywhere on the planet.
After founding Google, Page and Brin began receiving outside financing. Their first investment came from Andy Bechtolsheim. When Brin left to start a video-sharing site called YouTube, Page became the CEO of Alphabet. However, Page eventually stood down from his role as CEO of the company to pursue other projects.
In 2004, Google launched a free web-based e-mail service, a service called Gmail. A year later, the company introduced its own browser, called Google Chrome. Also in 2005, the company launched its own mapping application, Google Maps. Since then, Google has added more than 50 Internet services.
Another key product of the company is its mobile phone software, Android. Google has also introduced a digital assistant, Google Assistant, which uses artificial intelligence to respond to voice requests. Google’s mobile phone software includes Google Duo, a cross-platform video calling application for multiple operating systems.
Another product of Google is its cloud-based storage service, Google Drive. This service lets users store, edit, and view files in the Google cloud. You can also create and share documents and use features like Google Docs and Forms.
Although Google’s primary income is derived from advertising, its operations have been criticized for using other people’s intellectual property. These criticisms have included concerns over privacy and the company’s monopoly position.
Google has also come under scrutiny for its energy usage and its compliance with Internet censorship policies in China. The company has a data centre in the United States with several hundred thousand interlinked computers.
As of 2013, Google is the top-performing search engine worldwide. This position has led to concerns over the flow of online information and how the search results are interpreted.
Google has also been accused of misuse of its search results. Google Pay allows users to make payments via their smartphones and other devices. The service is available on iOS and Android, and shows recent transactions, loyalty cards, and offers. Some other products of Google include Google Calendar and Google Books.
In addition to its search engine, Google also provides cloud-based storage, productivity applications, and disaster recovery. Google is also one of the leading video sharing platforms on the internet.
The company has several data centres around the world. These offices are mainly located in North America, Asia, and Latin America.
