The Evolution of Google: From Search Engine to Tech Giant

Google began as a research project by Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 1996 at Stanford University. They created a search algorithm called 'Backrub' that ranked web pages based on inbound links.

The name 'Google' is a play on 'googol,' representing the company's mission to organize the immense amount of information available online. A googol is 10 to the power of 100.

Google has diversified beyond search into various industries, including hardware, self-driving cars, renewable energy, and healthcare, reflecting its evolution into a multi-faceted tech giant.

Google's search algorithm is constantly updated to improve user experience. Notable updates include Panda to filter low-quality sites, and Penguin to penalize over-optimized content.

The verb 'to google' was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2006, signifying not just the brand's dominance in web search, but also its impact on everyday language and culture.

Google's data collection practices have raised questions about user privacy. Its global influence has led to increased scrutiny by regulatory bodies regarding ethical data use.

Google's parent company, Alphabet Inc., runs 'X' (formerly Google X), a secretive R&D facility aimed at making major technological breakthroughs, known as 'moonshots.'

Google's first tweet was in binary code, translating to 'I'm feeling lucky.'