Google LLC, a global technology powerhouse, was founded on September 4, 1998, by computer scientists Larry Page and Sergey Brin, emerging from their innovative PageRank algorithm developed at Stanford University. Initially famed for its groundbreaking Google Search engine, the company rapidly diversified to offer an extensive array of dominant products and services, including YouTube, Android, Chrome, Gmail, Google Maps, and cutting-edge AI technologies.
Google went public in 2004, and in 2015, it was reorganized as the largest subsidiary under its newly formed parent company, Alphabet Inc., with Sundar Pichai stepping in as Google's CEO. Renowned as "the most powerful company in the world," Google Search and YouTube consistently rank as the world's most-visited websites, leading market share across numerous digital sectors from mapping and email to mobile operating systems and AI virtual assistants. Despite its immense value and pervasive influence, Google frequently faces scrutiny over issues such as privacy concerns, antitrust allegations, and its significant market dominance.