Google is a search engine that was launched in 1998 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin while they were Ph.D. students at Stanford University. Since then, it has grown into a multinational technology company that specializes in Internet-related services and products. In addition to its search engine, Google offers a suite of tools and services including email, online document editing, cloud storage, and the Android operating system for mobile devices. Google has become one of the most widely used and recognized brands around the world, and plays a major role in shaping the modern Internet landscape.