They are a household name now. By many accounts they have the most valuable brand in the world (although I would argue against that with their all but pulling out of the China market). There is no question that they are doing something right. But what is it?

It’s all about data. Google is the best in the world at collecting and examining data. They give away everything: their browser, apps, Android ( and soon Chrome) operating system, because those things all get people onto the Internet. And since using the Internet without using Google is, for most, like going to Disneyland without riding the on Space Mountain, the more people they can get onto the Internet, the more data they can collect and the more ads they can sell ($21 Billion worth in 2008). Read the rest of this entry »