What is the Difference Between Facebook and Google?

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The main difference between Facebook and Google lies in their primary functions and services. Here are the key differences between the two:

  1. Function: Google is primarily a search engine, while Facebook is a social networking website. Google specializes in internet search functions, allowing users to find information by searching keywords in the content of articles and ads. On the other hand, Facebook is designed for social networking, connecting friends, families, and businesses.
  2. Company History: Google was founded in 1998, making it six years older than Facebook, which was established in 2004.
  3. Company Size and Employees: Google has more employees than Facebook, and it is a more established company. The number of employees at Google dwarfs that of Facebook, which has a leaner approach to resources.
  4. Diversity of Functions: Google has a more diverse range of functions compared to Facebook. Google offers various internet applications and services, such as email, cloud computing, and smartphone operating systems, while Facebook primarily focuses on social networking.
  5. Company Culture: There are notable differences in company culture between Google and Facebook. For example, Facebook has a younger demographic and is more mission-driven. Google is often described as being like a university, with a focus on working on challenging problems and producing high-quality, polished results. By contrast, Facebook has a leaner approach to resources, which can lead to employees working long hours and facing challenges with work-life balance.
  6. Advertising: Google shows searchers ads based on their specific searches, while Facebook users receive ads based on their demographics, interests, location, and behaviors. This difference in advertising approach is due to the nature of their platforms, with Google focusing on search intent and Facebook targeting user interests and characteristics.

In summary, Google and Facebook serve different purposes and have distinct company cultures, histories, and functionalities. While Google is primarily a search engine with a diverse range of services, Facebook is a social networking website that focuses on connecting people.

Comparative Table: Facebook vs Google

Here is a table comparing the differences between Facebook and Google:

Feature Facebook Google
Primary Service Social networking and networking, messaging, photo sharing, etc. Search engine, Gmail, Youtube, Google Maps, etc.
Database Facebook uses a fork of MySQL 5.6 for its relational database and stores the social graph and messenger data in various storage systems like Innodb, RocksDb, Hive, and Cassandra. Google uses various storage systems like Google Sheets, Google Tables, and MySQL for different services.
Authentication Facebook provides a platform for users to log in through their Facebook account, called "Facebook Login". Google provides a platform for users to log in through their Google account, called "Google Login".
Corporate Rebranding Facebook rebranded to "Meta" in 2021, focusing on the "metaverse" concept. Google rebranded to "Alphabet" in 2015, separating the search engine and other services under different subsidiaries.

Please note that the differences listed above are not exhaustive, and there are many other differences between the two companies in terms of services, business models, and strategies.