Categories: Business

Google proves the secret to success is failure, 36% of the time

The secret to Google’s success is in its failures. According to some nice research undertaken by The Next Web, 36% of all Google products since 1998 have failed. Out of a total of 251 independent Google products launched since then, 90 have subsequently been shelved, while the rest remain operational.

9% of all Google products are described as “major” or stand-alone. Coincidentally, 36% of these high-profile products have failed also. Major flops include Google Answers, Orkut and Wave, while major success stories are found in products like Android, Gmail and YouTube.

Google fails gracefully though. It has a culture of trying often and shelving under-performing products early. Google launch most new products in beta and to a small core audience of technology enthusiasts to minimise embarrassment. This community knows Google’s experimental nature and respects their approach.

With Google’s recent closure of Labs though, at least part of the era of experimentation at Google may come to an end.

Albizu Garcia

Albizu Garcia is the Co-Founder and CEO of Gain -- a marketing technology company that automates the social media and content publishing workflow for agencies and social media managers, their clients and anyone working in teams.

Recent Posts

50 travel bloggers driving unique tourism experiences in 2025: Sim Local

Of all the blogger categories, travel is proving to be one of the most enduring.…

4 days ago

Misinformation, polarization amplify armed conflict & climate change: WEF Global Risks Report

Misinformation and disinformation are words unelected globalists use to try to crush narratives that don't…

4 days ago

Relief through innovation: The young inventor changing lives (Brains Byte Back podcast)

In this episode of Brains Byte Back, we welcome 20-year-old inventor and Yale student David…

7 days ago

How Generative AI could speed up innovation in material science: An interview with Infinita Lab’s founder

The employment of generative artificial intelligence across different industries and sectors is old news. From…

1 week ago

WEF pushes track-and-trace ‘own nothing, be happy’ circular economy agenda

Circular economy proponents don't value individual ownership; they favor neo-feudalism & technocracy: perspective The World…

1 week ago

First City Credit Union and Ribbon launch platform to initiate, simplify inheritance claims

The Murdochs — the family led by 93-year old Rupert Murdoch and that inspired HBO’s…

1 week ago