Understanding The World Of Google - Part 1

In articles to come, I will spend more time on some of Google's key product offerings as well as listing some pros and cons related to business-use. I thought it appropriate to start with a little history and a time line of Google's journey.

Founded in September 1998, Google is now more than a search engine – way more. Google's very first press release came in June of 1999 with background info on their founding partners and some brief statistical data proving Google's new found success – a growth rate of 50% since inception!! Well, with a company mission statement boldly proclaiming to “organize the world's information, making it universally accessible and useful” Google was destined for greatness.

I've listed Google's major milestones (as I see them) below. Even at a glance, you can see on how many fronts Google is pushing. With clear focus in so many areas, it's no wonder why Google is enjoying worldwide success.

2000

· Google became the worlds largest search engine with over 1 billion searchable websites.

· Google self-service advertising kicks off with 350 customers.

· The Google search toolbar is released.

2001

· Google acquires a discussion group with an archive of 500 million discussions dating back to 1995, adding search/browse features. Google named the "new" service "Google Groups."

· Google's searchable index rises from 1 billion in the year 2000 to 3 billion searchable websites.

2002

· Google adds cost-per-click pricing to their advertising program, AdWords.

· Google partners with AOL, reaching 34 million customers.

· Google Labs releases beta technology from the R&D team.

· Google News launches with 4,000 news sources.

2003

· Blogger is acquired.

· Launch of what is now called "Google Book Search."

2004

· Google's searchable index rises to 8 billion searchable items.

· Introduction of Google Local.

· Google Desktop Search is released for download.

2005

· Searchable images reach 1.1 billion.

· Google Maps goes live.

· Unveiling of Google Earth.

· Google Talk, a downloadable IM platform is launched.

· Google Analytics is released.

· Gmail is released in beta.

2006

· Introduction of Picasa and Picasa Web Albums.

· Beginnings of Google Docs and Google Calendar, called Apps for Your Domain.

· Google Checkout is completed.

· Free citywide WiFi in Mountain View.

· YouTube is acquired.

· Patent Search indexes more than 7 million patents dating back to 1790.

2007

· Google Apps Premier gets in public view.

· Google Maps gets the number one spot on the original Apple iPhone.

· Postini is acquired.

2008

· Google puts in a bid for the 700MHz spectrum auction (we'll see more about open wireless coming very soon).

· Google Sites gets its debut.

· DoubleClick is acquired.

· Google Site Search is available for non-Google domains.

· Google's searchable index has secretly risen to over 1 trillion searchable web sites (remember, this does NOT include all the pages inside each web site!).

· Google Chrome is released.

· T-Moble released the G1 - the first smartphone built on the Android operating system.

2009

· Google Latitude is intruduced.

· Google Voice released to Grand Central users.

· Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Docs and Google Talk are out of Beta.

More about Jesse Spencer

Jesse Spencer

Jesse Spencer has been a technology applications expert for over eight years with a background in business dynamics and project management. Recently he has been focusing in the area of telecommunications and IT services and is quickly becoming a well known voice in the industry. Click here to get more on Jesse!

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