Abstract

The case examines the reasons for Google.com’s, the California based Google Inc.’s Internet search engine, success. Google became the market leader leaving behind competitors like Netscape and AltaVista. The case explains the contribution of Google’s technological innovations and focus on user-friendliness to its popularity. Google’s unique business model, which made it one of the rare dotcoms to earn profits, has been explained in detail. The case also provides details on various services and tools offered by Google to its corporate clients as well as Internet surfers. Finally, the case throws light on the problems faced by Google in 2003 and discusses their impact on its future prospects.

Learning Objectives

The case is structured to achieve the following Learning Objectives:

• Internet search engines, the dynamics of the search engine market.

Keywords

Google.com, California, Google Inc, Internet, search engine, market leader, Netscape, AltaVista, Google, technological innovations, user-friendliness, unique business model, rare dotcoms, earn profits, corporate clients, Internet surfers, problems, 2003