Google (GOOGL, Financial) went public 10 years ago, and so much has changed since then. Google has completely revolutionized the way we seach, email, use browsers and phones and just about everything. Starting as a search engine, Google is trying to be a one-stop shop for all of your business and personal online needs.
Google is the king of the online advertising model. The bulk of Google's revenue comes from selling ad space on its search engine results page. Companies and people do all that they can to be on Google's top page results. Since Google is now a verb, you can "google" and find so many people teaching you how to land on that front page or how they can create backlinks for your site. Or you can pay Google and be at the very top or side of results.
Of course, Google is much much greater than ad revenue, but it has definitely created the model that almost every other blog or social media site is trying to replicate. Google's motto from the beginning was "don't be evil," which was a direct jab at Microsoft (MSFT, Financial) being the evil empire. Google has exhibited some "evilness." Google has acted in "big brother" ways, using information in gmail for ads specifically targeting the content in email. Google has also mimicked Microsoft in being late to the party when it comes to certain technologies. Google was slow to the social media scene, and Microsoft is very late to the search party with Bing.
Google is a great growth company that seems to be involved in so many industries. I don't invest in growth stocks, or in stocks that don't pay dividends as a matter of fact; both those who invested 10 years ago are definitely reaping the benefits. Those using their products are also reaping the benefits of this entrepreneurial company.
