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Google Inc.

The latest news about Google Inc.

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Overview
Culture
Recruiting
Facts & Resources
Subsidiaries & Divisions
Competitors

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Overview

Google Inc. operates the world’s leading Internet search service and is the top seller of online advertising. What began as a graduate school algorithm project at Stanford University by founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin now searches billions of Web pages per day.

Google has expanded into other businesses in two ways: through internal development of software applications and with large acquisitions such as its purchase of YouTube, the leading online video site. In 2005, the company purchased the Android operating system, an open-source mobile device platform which became the best-selling mobile OS in early 2011. Still, the Mountain View, Calif., company generates nearly all of its revenue and profit by selling sponsored search advertising, a market which it now dominates over rivals Yahoo Inc. and Microsoft Corp.

Google's stock-ownership structure gives common shareholders little oversight power within the company, with Brin and Page each having roughly 30% voting stakes.

Google wasn't immune to the global economic downturn, laying off several hundred employees in 2008 and again in 2009. Yet those laid-off workers represented just a fraction of the company's total work force.

In January of 2011, Google's longtime CEO Eric Schmidt announced his decision to step down from the role, into the seat of executive chairman. One of the company's original co-founders, Larry Page, was chosen as his successor.

Culture

Google Inc.’s corporate headquarters is nicknamed the Googleplex. Here are a few things you might see in a Google workspace: Bicycles or scooters for travel between meetings, dogs, lava lamps, massage chairs, large inflatable balls, foosball, pool tables, volleyball courts, video games, pianos, ping pong tables, and gyms that offer yoga and dance classes.

Google Inc. nicknames its new employees "Nooglers" and welcomes them with their very own Google buddies.

At Google headquarters in Mountain View, you'll find on-site oil change and car wash services, dry cleaning, massage therapy, a gym, hair stylist, fitness classes and bike repair.

Recruiting

According to its website, virtually every person who interviews at Google talks to at least four interviewers, drawn from both management and potential colleagues.

Google advises that if you are interviewing for a software engineering role then you may first want to visit the website www.topcoder.com. Launch the “Arena” widget and go to the practice rooms where you can solve problems in the first and second division.