The Impact of Google

Over the years, I’ve become an avid “googler”. I’ve often taken it for granted, but the work that Google has done (it’s search engine) has made looking for information fast and convenient. Looking for a definition or explanation? Need directions? Working on a project? Pretty much anything you want to know, Google makes finding that information very easy. Try imagining what life would be like without Google’s efficient and easy to use search engine. But taking a closer look at Google’s philosophy, I’ve become even more impressed with the way they handle their business than the actual “product” they provide.

Google’s “Ten Things We Know To Be True” struck me as very accurate. One of the main reasons why Google is so effective is that they focus on the needs of the consumer/user. Many times, businesses focus on how best to increase their net worth, and unfortunately, that often means skimping on the consumer. Instead of a positive-negative effect some businesses may take, Google focuses on making a positive-positive effect, both for itself and their consumers. Personally, that makes sense to me: if you make your consumers/customers happy, then they’ll support you more. Google has a clear understanding of the win-win situation and I think that’s a fundamental aspect to their success. Also, Google works hard to make sure that their search engine provides material related to the topic a user is searching for. That way, the user doesn’t become engulfed with nonsense material that has nothing to do with what they’re looking for. By providing the user with only what is needed or related to the search, Google is focusing on what the user/consumer wants, not necessarily which ad/information benefits Google’s company more.

If more companies and businesses adopted Google’s philosophy, where the consumer is seen as the key to their success instead of the obstacle that needs to be manipulated in order to reach success, then I think people would view consumerism in a more positive view. In the next 10 years, I believe Google will continue to be a successful company (especially if they hold true to their philosophy). Google is a business dealing with information and increasing the speed by which that information is obtained. Because information is constantly increasing and changing, Google will never be out of business. But while Google definitely has its perks, in a way it has a negative effect because it makes people lazy. Google makes information gathering faster, but how do they know that the information their providing is accurate?