Google has overtaken Intel to become the world’s number one when it comes to making deals, according to research.
Data compiled by Bloomburg shows that Google has made more deals in the last three years than any other firm.
The Californian search giant has been involved in 127 deals, including investments and acquisitions, since January 2011 – twice the number made in the three years previous.
Bloomburg data shows that Intel was the world’s biggest dealmaker from 2008 to 2011, with 104 deals made during that time.
Google’s sharp increase in its acquisitions followed the appointment of co-founder Larry Page as a chief executive back in 2011. His leadership has seen the firm pour its large cash resources into business services, mobile apps and connected devices.
According to The Telegraph, the company’s mergers and acquisitions group has grown by 50% since 2012. Some of the most notable deals include the acquisition of Nest Labs, a specialist in digital thermostats, mapping software developer Waze and robotics company Boston Dynamics.
While some may see Google’s broadening horizons as a deviation from the search sphere that saw it rise to global success in the first place, we might consider the question of integration – and whether or not Google’s decision to shift its focus to other areas could enhance its product and service offering in the long run. How this will affect brands and their search engine optimization strategies is yet to be seen.
At the time of writing, Google’s most recent deal – and perhaps one of its most significant – was the acquisition of DeepMind, a London-based company that develops artificial intelligence systems, for around $650m (£390m).
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