Google was launched in 1998, co-founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin while they were Ph.D. students at Stanford University. Initially, it began as a search engine project named "Backrub" in 1996, aiming to improve internet search capabilities by analyzing backlinks. Google rapidly gained popularity for its efficiency and user-friendly interface. The company evolved into a tech giant, offering a range of products and services, including email, cloud storage, and advertising platforms. Its incorporation on September 4, 1998, marked the beginning of a transformative era in technology and internet usage, leading to significant developments in information access.