Google

2572 snips

Jun 30, 2025

Learn how Google transformed from a Stanford project called BackRub into a global icon and staple of the internet. Discover the innovative algorithms like PageRank that set Google apart amid a crowded search engine landscape. Hear about the pivotal partnerships and strategic decisions that propelled its growth, including a lucrative deal with AOL. The podcast also delves into concerns over AI competition and investors' skepticism despite Google's robust profits, painting a picture of a tech giant at a crossroads.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

ANECDOTE

Founders' Unique Upbringings

Larry Page grew up with both parents as computer science professors in the 1970s.
Sergey Brin emigrated from the Soviet Union as a child and was also academically precocious, setting both up for Google.

INSIGHT

PageRank’s Citation Insight

Google’s PageRank used hyperlinks as citations to rank website authoritativeness.
Anchor text provided metadata enhancing the ranking beyond page content alone.

ANECDOTE

Excite CEO Rejects Google Search

Excite's CEO rejected Google's superior search due to business model conflicts.
He preferred users stay on Excite for ad revenue, vetoing Google's ranking algorithm adoption.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

We tell the story of the single greatest business ever created: Google search. From its origins as a Stanford research project called BackRub, Google became the front door to the internet. Today it’s an essential service for over half the world, and one that generates more profit than ANY other US company — more than Apple, Microsoft, or Berkshire Hathaway.

But it wasn’t always so obvious. When Larry and Sergey began working on BackRub in 1996, search was a backwater industry in silicon valley. Existing search companies were eking out a living as vendors to the then-dominant “portals” like AOL and Yahoo. Google’s come-from-behind success was the result of three massive step-function leaps forward in algorithms, infrastructure and business model… some invented by Google and some borrowed (and perfected!) by them.

Today, things are not so obvious once again for Google. Despite earning more profits than all of its big tech peers, its stock trades at significantly lower multiples — a $1 trillion or more discount to Apple, Microsoft and Nvidia. Investors are concerned that AI will render Google’s beautiful business model obsolete, even though Google also basically invented modern AI and continues to lead on many dimensions. This episode begins a multi-part series where we dive into the full history that led us to this point. Tune in and enjoy!

Sponsors:

Many thanks to our fantastic Summer ‘25 Season partners:

Links:

Radio City Live Show:

Carve Outs:

More Acquired:

Get email updates with hints on next episode and follow-ups from recent episodes
Join the Slack
Subscribe to ACQ2
Check out the latest swag in the ACQ Merch Store!

‍Note: Acquired hosts and guests may hold assets discussed in this episode. This podcast is not investment advice, and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any financial transactions.