Why Google is the most popular search engine on the net
Ultimately, this comes down to my opinion, but I can say, there are many that share my views. You see, way back before Google, we had Altavista, Cnet, and the most popular at the time, Yahoo. If you went to any one of these search sites to find information, you were face with three things right away.
Clutter. That's right. Even go to Yahoo now and the main page is so over-loaded with a million different things from sales, news, top weather stories, etc., that you can barely find your way around. It is mentally exhausting to deal with clutter and Google didn't have any of that. Even now, as they have a bunch of other services, the look is basically the search box, centered, and a small list of links along the top. Clean, Tidy, and easy to use.
Inaccurate results. You could search for Mother Theresa and still end up clicking on a porn site, just because the webmaster was able to manipulate the system that was used by Yahoo and the like. Google's search results have been labelled accurate, and relevant. People want to find what they're looking for, pretty simple!
Floods of ads. Before Google, every web page on Yahoo, Altavista, and the others, was littered with ads. I'm sure they needed to make their money, but this added to the clutter and made viewing search results was more taxing to the brain. Google didn't have ads, then they added some txt ads that were not too intrusive, and even still have some pretty simple views on ads that don't overwhelm the user.
So, there you have it. My opinion as to why we use Google more than any other search engine. Since it began, it has become quite a powerhouse, and I'm happy to see it. As many services as they add to Google, they still tend to keep the user in mind, and comfortable.
Why Google...
Why Google started G+, or G Plus
I remember reading some stories online just before Google's G+ came out. Google plans social network that will kill Facebook; was a pretty typical headline. Again, I'm sharing my opinion here, not a back-ground checked, interviewed story with any Google reps themselves.
You see, the more Google knows about you, not in general, but you exactly, the better they can tailor each page of results, the list of ads, and any other content they control in front of you. I believe that this was Google's attempt to not just take over Facebook, but to get inside your personal life so deep, that they can predict your next search before you completely type it in… Oh wait! That's happening now. I guess I'm on the right track here. You can toss around many other possibilities, but this is what I came up with.
Why Google...
Why Google is considered one of the best places to work
Have you ever seen a video of the inside of Google? It's a labyrinth of play areas. It's the ultimate playground for adults. Oh sure, they expect results from your work, but they certainly ensure quality break-time. Now, if we combine this with some pretty big salaries, then you've got quite the magical job. I remember reading something to the effect; Google announces they're hiring - Millions apply. No surprise. It would also appear there's some job security, since they continue to be one of the most dominant companies on the net.
Why Google...
Why Google is my search engine of choice
Simple, easy, and fast. I can remember the biggest contract when switching to Google, was the speed in which the main page loaded. Before then I used Yahoo, and had to wait for the 10,000 items on page to load. Videos, images, yada, yada, yada. I just wanted to search for something, not enter a flea market hall of links and ads. Blah. When I first switched, they hadn't yet added the auto-complete search, where they predict based on other popular searches, just what you wanted. This was even more awesome, and because of it, I stay using Google as my primary search site.
Why Google...
Why Google is so successful
"Listen to the people, provide their wants and needs and you shall be a great king". I have no idea if this is even a real quote, but most likely would be. It makes sense too. Google listens to what the users of Google services both want and need. They make efforts to ensure easier use when searching for anything, whether it's a map location, web result, an image, news and more. They also understood things like easy methods of sharing data with services like Google Docs, YouTube, etc. If there is one thing any company can learn from Google, it's that you must listen to the desires of your customers and ensure their happiness. After all, that's why so many of us actually use Google, because we are happy with them.
Why Google...
Why Google Voice is awesome
First off, you get a free phone number, and it can even be something like; PATRICK-IS-1. How cool is that. Now, you can link this number up to 3 numbers such as home, mobile and office. One universal, easy to remember phone number… Wow. You get free Voice Mail, Call Forwarding, and still get Caller ID. Free? Not something we see too often with other 'phone providers'. Plus, after all this, Google will keep a log of everything. You can go back and check on almost anything you did through Google Voice. I don't know about you, but my cell phone only stores the last 20 calls made or received (together). Unlimited, free texting, manage your VoiceMail on your computer or phone, post to your blog using your voice and Google will convert it to text and post it, free long-distance calls, record phone calls, and even have different greetings from groups of people. What a mouthful of things this service offers. No, I don't work for Google, but I still love this service!
Why Google...
Why Google Play is so effective
Google Play is what we once called the Android Market, where you go to get free and paid apps, images, movies and music for your Android devices. Whether you use a tablet, phone or other device for your Droid Apps, this is where you end up. I feel the reason that Google does so well in this area, is just like everything else they make it easy and free. I started with and iPhone, and getting apps was like a root-canal. Definitely not easy to use. Then, I grabbed myself one of those Android Tablets and fell in love with how easy it was to use. Amazingly simple too. Register any device on your Google Play account and when you select the app to download, it sends it right to your device for you. Very cool Google! Plus, if I ever lose the Tablet, I can buy a new one, go to Google Play and re-download all the previous apps, music, etc right to my new device. It's like a backup for my toys and tools!
Why Google...
Why Google has the best email, Gmail
Like most other things from Google, Gmail is easy, simple and free. I always used MS Outlook, and swore I'd never go back to web-based email again after drudging through Yahoo's Mail program. Then, I wanted a way to have email on my phone and my computer at the same time, while ensuring I don't overload my own server with email. Gmail made this possible, and did it painlessly. You can add your own previous POP or IMAP accounts to go through your Gmail account. You can check multiple accounts at once, and even reply from each email from the account you received it. Oh sure, they have some features like themes and stuff to make it more fun, but it's just so practical and easy to use, that you find yourself being more efficient with your email. I would consider this to be an essential business tool. You can easily more things to folders, add rules, labels, etc., just like Outlook, but from anywhere in the world through your phone or computer.
Why Google...
Why Google's YouTube Rock
For work or play, YouTube fills the space. I can view or listen to the latest Pop Hit, or even a cleverly done Mash-up of it. I can also find a visual tutorial on how to make raisin bread. Actually, I seem to be able to find a video lesson for virtually everything on YouTube. Now, I'm not an 'all work and no play' kind of guy, so let me tell you, they have some of the funniest videos I've ever seen. It's all around a great tool to get out your business message, share your mom's pie recipe, teach young girls to apply makeup properly, bring some laughter with Uncle John's bubble snoring, or whatever you can think of, YouTube surely has it.
One of the really great things about YouTube is that everyday people get to post videos. Some videos have been done by a teenager in their basement and simply blown people away. Maybe with their talent, such as Justin Bieber, or simply their ability to mix video so well. Whatever the case, we live in an era where talent is shared with more ease and it makes for a much higher level of quality. YouTube makes this possible.
Why Google...
Why Google's collection of apps and sites work well together
Of all the things about Google, the thing I like most is this; The login. I can stay logged into my computer for weeks without having to re-login. Now, on top of this, I can login to my Gmail, jump over to my Adsense account, Calendar, YouTube, G+ accounts and automatically be logged in there too. Awesome. Having one password to remember for multiple sites is great. We all know how our brains are filled with passwords for 80 different websites, and this makes it so much easier. Every time I open a new Google Page, I feel like I have my own personal access to the universe.
