Google’s evolution has been remarkable: from critic of the Internet and computer business’ big players to domination player itself.

It all started with something as simple, yet complicated, as a search engine. Google was the first high quality search engine, used by millions of Internet users to find relevant information about whatever it was that interested them.

The search engine was created by two students, in their garage. They worked on it day and night, hoping to break through the walls created by the Internet’s gods such as Microsoft.

But then, in 2006, it suddenly became clear that Google was a minor player no more; it had become a verb. People talked about ‘googling’ this or that, meaning they would try to find something about a specific subject.

Google was no longer merely a search engine; no, over the years it had become ‘one of the world’s most powerful companies, whose reach extends far beyond the web searches that made its name and into almost every way in which the internet is used.’

It became a symbol of the Internet itself. When asked about the role the Internet played in their lives, 75% of British Internet users said they felt “lost” when not able to get on the Net. 50% even said they considered the Internet to be more important than religion.

And the same could be said for Google. If Google the search engine would stop working for a couple of hours, tens of millions, hundreds of millions even, of Internet users would have no idea what to do. Google is the Internet.

Not only because of its search engine of course. No, 10 years after it was first created Google has expanded its work considerably; there is Google Mail, Google Maps, and Google Earth. In addition to all that, Google is one of the major advertisers on the Internet; virtually every single website of any value out there has Google Ads. This is, in fact, where most of the company’s money comes from; advertisements, advertisement and more advertisements.

‘By enticing users with free content and programs, it has been able to provide space for increasingly targeted adverts that have proved highly lucrative. Now 40 per cent of all online advertising is controlled by Google – a monopoly that it has good reason to defend.’

‘Today, Google has a $16.6bn (£9.4bn) annual revenue, $4.2bn of which is profit. But its increasing domination of the market is making people uneasy.’

And then there is Google’s acquisition of YouTube, the highly popular video sharing site.

In 2008 Google has become one of ‘the computing giants it set itself up to oppose.’ Especially Google Chrome, the new Internet browser, is a great example of this. It is a direct attack against Microsoft, and the latter should take it very serious.

After all, Google has a lot of influence and power on the Internet. Possibly more than the company founded by Bill Gates. If Google focuses on something, it becomes big instantly. If not because it delivers such high quality products, then because it is so big that consumers almost have to try not to use Google’s products.

Interestingly enough, it was not that long ago when the company’s founders said they would not develop a browser of their own. After all, they said, other companies are far better at developing browsers than they are.

But that changed suddenly. The reason, according to experts? Microsoft’s new edition of Internet Explorer could very well offer a feature that blocks Google’s targeted advertisements. This is, of course, something Google cannot allow to happen.

And so a new browser was developed. The design and features of it leaked out days before it was released; certainly not accidentally. Millions of users rushed to the Google’s homepage in order to download this new browser and give it a try. Reports were in rather quickly; it had some defects, but it was better and faster than IE.

Those millions of Internet users care only about one thing; comfortably surfing on the Net. But millions of others are worried.

Bill Stewart, and internet historian, said Google’s image suffered tremendously last week. “There has been a tremendous amount of goodwill for Google but the announcement of the browser is a tipping point.

“It indicates that they are out to dominate and are mimicking their worst enemy: Microsoft. There has been a change in sentiment. The goodwill has evaporated and turned to concern.” ”I’m worried about Google and I think a lot of people are increasingly worried”, says Mr Stewart. “They set up a structure to avoid the mistakes of others, but I’ve noticed a marked difference in the last year. It would appear they’re turning into their enemy. There’s tremendous concern about the information they hold.”

Stewart is, of course, getting at Google’s habit to collect all information about users it can possibly get its hands on, keeping it indefinitely.  Many do not feel comfortable with this.

Lastly, Lynne Robinson sums up ten ways in which Google tries to dominate the Web.

1. Google Earth: shows images of the Earth and even the galaxies, using satellite imagery and aerial photography.

2. Google Street: gives street- level images of cities in the US and Europe, with 360 degree- views.

3. Google Maps: provides directions to destinations, and street maps which can be a hybrid of a map and aerial view.

4. Gmail: free email accounts accessible from any computer with internet access. Funded using targeted advertising that searches users’ mail.

5. Chrome browser: launched last week, Google has boasted that this will be the fastest browser, showing thumbnails of favourite sites and shortcuts to web applications.

6. YouTube: free website which that users upload, view and share video clips.

7. Google News: aggregates news stories from more than 4,500 English language news sites, and can be customised according to readers’ interests.

8. Google Books: selects books that match search terms. Lets you browse the books online and, in some cases, download the full text.

9. Documents and spreadsheets: free documents that can be integrated into other applications to share information on a real-time basis.

10. Google Android: this software platform and operating system for mobiles could be a major challenger to the iPhone.

And the above is exactly why this particular Internet user will not download Google Chrome, and has switched from Gmail to other mail providers for his correspondence. History has shown that one company becomes as powerful as Google has become, consumers suffer. In order to protect himself, consumers would be wise to use Google a little bit less, and to give other companies a chance.