History
Google was established in 1998 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin while at Stanford University. Their PageRank algorithm quickly made Google the dominant search engine, achieving over 1 billion daily searches by 2004. The company's mission to “organise the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful” laid the foundation for expansion beyond search.
Growth
Between 2000 and 2005, Google experienced exponential growth. The launch of Google Ads (originally AdWords) in 2000 revolutionised digital advertising with its pay-per-click model, which quickly became the industry standard. By 2004, Google had indexed over 8 billion web pages. In the same year, Google went public, raising $1.67 billion and reaching a market value exceeding $23 billion. Google Analytics was launched in 2005, providing organisations with free access to powerful website performance measurement tools, accelerating data-driven marketing adoption worldwide.
Expansion
From 2010, Google broadened its business platforms significantly. Google Merchant Centre was introduced in 2010, enabling retailers to manage product feeds for Google Shopping. In 2011, Google Cloud Platform launched, providing infrastructure, storage, and analytics solutions for enterprise customers. By 2017, Google Cloud had grown to support over 1 billion end-users and achieved an annual run rate exceeding $1 billion in cloud revenue. Google’s focus on security and compliance attracted financial, healthcare, and government clients globally.
Productivity
In 2014, Google launched Google My Business (now Business Profile), centralising business location management and boosting local search accuracy for millions of businesses. The productivity suite, originally introduced as Google Apps in 2006, was rebranded as Google Workspace in 2020, offering integrated tools, Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets and Meet to over 6 million paying businesses by 2021. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Workspace adoption accelerated globally to support remote and hybrid workforces.
Maturity
Google platforms are now used by organisations of every size, from startups to multinationals. Globally, over 5 million businesses use Google Cloud, while Workspace and Analytics remain industry standards for collaboration and measurement. In Australia, enterprises such as Woolworths, Canva, Fairfax Media, Monash University, and REA Group rely on Google Cloud and Workspace for secure communication, infrastructure modernisation, and data-driven decision making.
Innovation
From 2022 to 2025, Google has prioritised artificial intelligence and automation across its commercial platforms. Google Ads introduced AI-powered campaign types (Performance Max), and Google Cloud launched industry-specific AI solutions in healthcare and finance. Workspace integrated advanced security features and real-time collaboration tools, while Analytics 4 was updated for predictive analytics and privacy-first measurement. Google’s ongoing investments in AI, compliance (GDPR, CCPA), and sustainability continue to set industry benchmarks.
