Google Turns 28: A Quarter Century of Shaping Digital Advertising

Google turned 28 years old in September 2026, marking three decades of shaping how people discover information. The company has come a long way since its founding by Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 1998, when it was just a simple search engine. In the early days, Google's revenue came largely from licensing its search technology, but things changed with the introduction of advertising.

In 2000, Google launched AdWords, which allowed advertisers to reach consumers actively looking for products or services. This innovation helped commercialize intent itself, making it a lucrative business for Google. By 2002, advertising accounted for over 93% of Google's revenue, and the company continued to expand its influence across digital advertising with acquisitions like YouTube in 2006.

The $1.65 billion purchase of YouTube has proven to be a savvy move, as the platform now generates over $40 billion in advertising revenue alone each year. YouTube's growth has also fundamentally changed the video landscape, competing for attention on television screens and supporting an extensive creator economy. As connected television expands, YouTube occupies an increasingly significant position in the convergence of television, digital video, and creator-led advertising.