So, what kind of a company do you think Google is? I guess the obvious answer – it is a search company. I would beg to differ and say it is on the contrary a data mining company. They make their money from AdSense and the Click-thru and sure, the search was the initial pull but now it is the data mining which pulls in the $$$’s. In some respects it is a one-trick pony, albeit a pretty good trick.
Of course, the reach of Google’s index is quite small (relatively speaking), with much more data sitting inside corporations – something which Microsoft realises and is making strides with FAST .
Something to think about next time you use your Android, Gmail, Google Talk, Google Talks, You Tube, etc. Each of those usage just adds to the data mining, allowing Google to make more money. :)