Google

Google originated from a Stanford University student - Larry Page. In January 1996 Page decided on search engine algorithms as a theme for his dissertation. He was later joined by a friend Sergey Brin a fellow student at Stanford University. Page and Brin attempted to understand how the search engines ranked their results, what algorithms were used. They believed that ranking was dependant on the number of quality links a website had, linking from other relevant and credible websites. This formed the basis of the research. Today linking continues to be an essential part of the search engine algorithm, hence in order to optimise a website, SEO professionals use various linking techniques.

The Google.com domain was registered on 15th September 1997. Google refers to the number one followed by one hundred zeros, a mathematical term. By the end of 1998 Google had an index of around 60 million pages, that they spidered on a regular basis and cached into a complex database. Page and Brin created the Google algorithm originally with the thought to sell to the leading search engines, for them to adapt and improve their search engine rankings. Although it was publicised in detail at the time that Yahoo refused to purchase the algorithm, there were various proposals and possible partnerships in the pipeline between Google and Yahoo, although nothing came from it. As a consequence Google decided to launch their own search engine facility using their in house complex algorithm. The simple design of the Google search engine was and is today enjoyed by many people, Google has a wide range of loyal followers who respect their algorithms and ethics. Google also use various humorous animations within their logo to celebrate special occasions, for example Christmas, Easter. These are known as "Google Doodles."

In 2000 Google launched their Pay Per Click (PPC) service or adwords, whereby website owners bidded for particular keywords, the highest bidded sites appeared at the top of the search engine rankings under these specific keywords. Google also have an Adsense facility, where Google pays website owners to publish adverts on their website which link to other websites. Google have a wide range of services available, they dominate the search engine industry, setting the standards. For example Yahoo and MSN are always a step behind Google, if Google introduce a new method of searching, it wont be long until Yahoo launch the same service, although as their algorithms are not as efficient, the service they provide are not as effective as Googles.

From an SEO perspective it is the Google search engine that search engine optimisation specialists adhere to. By optimising a clients website to be Google friendly, it will automatically meet the requirements of Yahoo and MSN due to the competitive nature of the search engine industry.