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What is Google and what does it mean?

Google is an online technology firm that runs the search engine most widely used globally, commonly known by the same name. The word “Google” is commonly used as a verb meaning “Search for something on the Google search engine.” In its name, the search engine alludes to the enormous number of links it can retrieve. …

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what-is-google-and-what-does-it-mean
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Google is an online technology firm that runs the search engine most widely used globally, commonly known by the same name. The word “Google” is commonly used as a verb meaning “Search for something on the Google search engine.” In its name, the search engine alludes to the enormous number of links it can retrieve. (Another way to spell “googol,” or one plus 100 zeros, is “Google.”)


Google also owns subsidiary companies such as YouTube and Blogger in addition to offering dozens of web-based applications and services. Google even owns the Android operating system for smartphones and tablets, and the Waymo self-driving car company. But Google started out in 2000 as a up-and-coming search engine competing with Alta Vista and Yahoo – how did it become a household name?


In this post, we’ll go over the history of Google before sharing some of the great products and services they offer under the Alphabet umbrella company.


When was Google created?


rawpixel.com / Freepik / “Search Find View Information Data Graphic Symbol Icon” / FreePik license

September 4, 1998, is Google’s birthday. However, its history dates back to 1996, when computer scientists Sergey Brin and Larry Page started developing a search engine called “BackRub.” The frequency with which words occurred on a web page determined the search engine results at the moment. This implied that web designers may raise their search engine position by simply repeating the same terms over and over.


PageRank, BackRub’s innovative search algorithm, used backlink analysis (Backlink analysis is the process of evaluating the quality and quantity of links from other websites pointing to your own to improve search engine optimization also known as SEO), to rank websites according to how relevant they were to certain terms. Higher-quality websites eventually emerged as a result. In the end, “Google” replaced “BackRub” as the name of Page’s and Brin’s business.


Over time, Google’s PageRank algorithm has undergone further improvement. To assist web developers in raising their search engine result ranks, a new sector known as “search engine optimization” (SEO) has emerged.


Where is Google?


Google’s original headquarters were in its developers’ garage, located in Menlo Park, CA. Many years later, Google is a global organization with thousands of workers, including a group of quality control specialists who make sure the search engine’s algorithm is accurate. The corporate offices are currently in Mountain View, California. Google has data centers all around the world in addition to offices in over 50 nations, guaranteeing that its services are accessible on every continent.


Google software


Other than Google’s search engine, the most widely used web-based tools from Google are:


Gmail: Google’s web-based email service, which is probably the most commonly used today.


Google Drive: Cloud storage for files and collaboration.


Google Docs: An online tool for creating and editing documents.


Google Chrome: One of the most popular web browsers in the world, with tons of features.


Android: The operating system for billions of mobile and smart devices around the world, directly competitive with Apple’s iOS operating system.


Google Play: The app store for Android devices.


There are many others, but these are the most commonly used.


Google products


Apart from software, Google also creates other products, including hardware, like:


  • Google Pixel smartphones
  • Chromebook and Pixelbook laptops
  • Google Home smart speakers and associated products
  • Waymo driverless cars

Google services


Google provides a variety of services to businesses and consumers, such as:


  • The cellular provider Google Fi
  • The advertising network Google AdSense
  • YouTube and Youtube TV

Final thoughts


Now, Google is not just a search engine; it’s a cornerstone of the digital age that has transformed how we interact with technology and information. From its humble beginnings in a garage, Google, founded by Sergey Brin and Larry Page in 1998, has grown into a global tech giant that touches almost every aspect of our lives. Whether it’s through Android smartphones, Google Docs for work, or YouTube for entertainment, Google has woven itself into the fabric of our daily routines.


The company’s name, inspired by the mathematical term “googol,” symbolizes its mission to organize the vast amount of information available online. Over the years, Google’s innovative algorithms have made finding information highly efficient, influencing the development of the entire internet.


Beyond internet searching, Google has expanded into hardware with products like Pixel phones and Google Home smart speakers, as well as services like Google Fi and YouTube TV, showcasing its versatility and commitment to innovation. Its headquarters in Mountain View, California, and its offices and data centers worldwide, ensure that Google’s reach and impact are truly global.


Ultimately, Google represents more than just a brand; it’s a testament to how a single idea can revolutionize the world and be an engine that drives countless other innovations.


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Achievable SIE - $99
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