What Would a World Without Google Look Like?

I Google, therefore I am. But what if Google had never existed? In today's hyper-connected, tech-driven society, that question feels almost like a philosophical debate fit for Socrates (who certainly didn’t have a smartphone).

As both a search engine and the provider of numerous influential online tools, Google is so ingrained in our daily lives that most of us use its products constantly. Even those who only go online occasionally often find their way through the vast web of Google’s search capabilities.

It's difficult to imagine how the world would be shaped without Google, the most visited website on the planet [source: Alexa]. Yet, there are certain figures that wouldn’t exist without this tech giant. Google employs roughly 30,000 people as of now [source: Google]. They also make a point to give back; in 2010, the company's charitable donations reached over $184 million [source: Google].

Google provides an extensive range of applications, many of which are free. You can use Gmail for emails, Docs for document sharing, Maps for navigation, Earth for geographic and topographic data (including ocean maps), Calendar to manage your life’s events, Analytics to track your website’s performance, and Blogger to create both personal and professional blogs. The list also includes Google Scholar, Patents, Google + (a social network similar to Facebook), Groups, Finance, and much more.

Additionally, there’s Image Search, which allows you to find nearly any image that has been uploaded online. Of course, the Google search engine remains a game-changer in how we access information on the internet. Google provides a wealth of tools for accomplishing various tasks, all at little to no cost.

When Google first launched in 1998, search engines were largely based on personal preference. Some people preferred Yahoo's crowded interface, while others used Webcrawler, Altavista, Dogpile, HotBot, Ask Jeeves, or Excite.

But then came Google, with its advanced algorithms that delivered more accurate results, making it the fastest and easiest way to access web-based information. While older search engines found relevant data by scanning keywords on pages, Google used its unique PageRank system, which considers dozens, if not hundreds, of factors to pinpoint the best results for anything from "Santa Claus hat for dogs" to any other query.

The company has been true to its mission, which is to 'organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful,' and to serve as an engine that 'understands exactly what you mean and gives you back exactly what you want.'

There's no doubt that Google has achieved many of its goals. But where would we be without it? We’ll explore that hypothetical scenario on the next page.

"Google" Might Still Be a Word Only Math Nerds Know

There's no denying that the Internet would look drastically different without Google. Without the innovative mathematical and programming genius of Larry Page and Sergey Brin, no other company might have achieved the same level of search expertise as Google. Without such a search engine, it’s impossible to know how drastically your online experience would differ.

Perhaps the web would be a more fragmented place, harder to navigate, and full of hidden corners only accessible by those with exceptional research skills – basically, the kind of people who knew how to go beyond the limitations of older, simpler search engines. Less tech-savvy users might have turned to Yahoo as their go-to portal, relying on its directories and browsing features to guide their web activities, including shopping and research.

Without Google, the Internet might not have spread so rapidly into all aspects of our lives. Perhaps the widespread use of smartphones and our dependency on digital connectivity wouldn’t have evolved to the degree it has today.

Consider this: Google’s expertise has completely transformed how we engage with the world. Without it, you’d likely have to commit more information to memory rather than instantly Googling (as a verb) answers. If it took you five minutes to find an answer instead of five seconds, you’d probably give up or search for alternatives.

What if Google had ended up as just another average search engine, forgotten among others in the vast landscape of the Web? Without its solid marketing and business strategy, another startup might have taken its place, altering our online experiences in ways that could have been far superior to what we know today.

Google is omnipresent, and you can access it from virtually anywhere with an internet connection. On the next page, we’ll explore how Google’s pervasiveness is reshaping our world.

Google Is Everywhere

Google has its influence in nearly every aspect of technology, with mobile devices and business being prime examples of its widespread reach.

In the smartphone market, Google has had a profound impact. The Android operating system, which powers many mobile devices, now runs on about 50 percent of recent smartphones [source: PCWorld]. Without Android’s success, Apple’s iPhone might still dominate the smartphone market.

In the business world, companies would have a very different landscape without Google’s AdWords. So many businesses rely on this advertising platform that Google earned approximately $28 billion from it in 2010 alone [source: Google].

Without the power of Google, students would face much more effort when conducting research. They would likely spend days, not hours, sifting through various search engines to find the best and most reliable sources for a final paper. Instead of benefiting from Google’s comprehensive results, they’d struggle with inconsistent data from multiple sources. They also wouldn’t have access to the vast collection of books on Google Books, the largest digital archive of books ever created.

Without Google’s suite of apps like Calendar, Docs, and Gmail, the concept of storing critical documents online (in 'the cloud') might still be in its early stages or limited to only the most tech-savvy individuals.

Google has significantly contributed to the growing presence of the cloud. This expansion is largely due to Google's substantial free online storage (nearly 8 gigabytes just for Gmail) and its ongoing dedication to enhancing and updating its apps. These factors encourage users to upload vast portions of their personal and work lives into Google's suite of products, which continues to encroach on Microsoft Office's market share [source: RescueTime].

Google is everywhere, and people seem eager to adopt nearly every product the company rolls out. On the following page, you'll discover that one reason for Google’s consistent appeal is its lighthearted and clever approach to technology, which keeps users coming back for more.

The Cult(ure) of Google

Google has deeply integrated itself into the fabric of society. For example, you don’t hear people saying 'Yahoo' or 'Bing' when searching for something. Yet, no one thinks twice about telling someone to 'Google' a question or topic. Google has become so ingrained in our language that it’s as much a verb as it is a search engine. Without it, we might be using a less catchy phrase, like 'search it up,' when asking others to find information online.

Beyond its name, Google has influenced both online and business culture by emphasizing simplicity and enjoyment. One example of this is the well-known Doodles – the playful alterations of the Google logo that appear during significant holidays or events. Whether it's a festive Christmas design or a spooky Halloween-themed image, these Doodles bring extra joy to the Google experience.

While Google Doodles generally amuse visitors, they sometimes create a stir. For instance, in 2010, to mark Pac-Man’s 30th anniversary, Google released a playable version of the game in its Doodle. The result? An estimated $120 million in lost productivity that day alone, according to one source [source: PCWorld].

However, Google’s impact isn’t all fun and games. The company also invests heavily in social and political causes. Google is making its operations more eco-friendly by reducing energy consumption and increasing its reliance on renewable power sources like wind energy. In some areas, instead of using lawn mowers to trim the grass around buildings, they employ goats [source: Google]. These green initiatives enhance Google’s environmental reputation and encourage other companies to follow suit.

Google has undeniably reshaped the tech landscape and, by extension, changed how we interact with one another. Today, we Google each other before meeting face-to-face, and with a few clicks, we can find the best deals on products from around the world.

Regardless of your feelings about Google, it’s undeniable that the company impacts your daily life. For this reason alone, we can only hope that those working at the Googleplex adhere to their well-known motto: 'Don't Be Evil.'