In this report we have chosen to analysis the innovation that is the ‘Google Search Engine’. We have chosen to base our report on the Google search engine; a revolutionary innovation that has transformed the way in which the internet is used.
1.1 Introduction
Google began life as a research project between two Stanford University graduate students, Larry Page and Sergey Brin in January, 1996. They hypothesized that developing a search engine that analysed the relationships between websites would be more effective than merely counting the words on a page. Thus, the Google search engine differs from other search engines as it uses a programme that checks the amount of back links to a page, therefore assuming that those pages with most links are the most relevant. This theory soon turned out to be an effective reality and Google now account for approximately 75% of all web searches (www.fastcompany.com).
2. What makes Google an Innovation?
We have already discussed how the actual Google search engine works differently to others, but not mentioned any of the other factors that make it an innovation. As a company, the mechanism of Google’s strategic advantage has roots in “Reconfiguring the parts of the process” (J,Tidd et al). In Google’s case, this was simply redesigning the existing search engine model, while also providing unique search facilities and advertising solutions. Listed below are some of the contributing factors that make Google an innovation.
• Adwords – These have been designed for advertisers who want to reach a qualified audience as efficiently as possible. Here advertisers select their own target keywords and only pay when customers click on their ads. The advertisements appear on goggle search result pages and on thousands of other partner sites. This is Google’s only method of advertising and they are strongly opposed to banner advertisements and pop-ups.
• Book search – Allowing users to search and view selected pages from
Bibliography: Websites K.H Hammond, (March 2003) ‘How google grows and grows and grows’ Fast Company article, Issue 69, pg 74 [Online] Coy, P,(2006) ‘The Secret to Google’s Success’ BusinessWeek Online, [Online] http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_10/b3974071.htm?chan=search [Date accessed 2th Feb 2007] Journals Cusumano, M (Feb 2005) ‘Google: What It Is and What It Is Not’, Communications of the ACM, Vol Approx 4 pages. Available: Business Source Premier Joint, N (2005) ‘Aspects of Google: bigger is better – or less is more?’ Library Review, Volume 54, Number 3 Available: Emerald Chen, X (2006) ‘MetaLib, WebFeat and Google-The strengths and weaknesses of federated search engines compared with google.’ Naughton, J (2006) ‘Websites that Changed the World’ The Observer [Online] http://observer.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,,1843263,00.html Books Tidd, J et al, (2005) ‘Managing Innovation-Integrating technological market and organizational change’, 3rd Edition, Wiley & Sons Ltd Calishan, T et al (2005) ‘Google Hacks-Tips and Tools for smarter searching’ 2nd Edition, O Reilly Media. Trott, P (2002) ‘Innovation Management and New product Development’ 2nd Edition, Pearson Education Ltd, Prentice Hall. Video ‘The World According to Google-The money programme’ (20th Jan 2006) BBC 2, [30 minutes] To Organise the Worlds Information’ (Google annual report 2005) Google Corporate Report (2007) ‘Company Overview, Business Overview’ [Online] • ‘My search history’ was launched by Google to aid in the convenience for it customers for repeated searches. 2006 • Google announced an advertising partnership with MTV, Fox media and E-bay