Google Outlines Plan To Spend to Expand

Even with the other search engine giants expanding themselves, Google is really beginning to see some serious growth. As the Washington Post so clearly points out, Google’s careful hiring practices are going to be a bit difficult as the search engine works to spread its employment wings.

Google Inc. is planning to rapidly boost spending this year to expand operations and promote its brand name as the Internet giant braces for increased competition from rivals.

In its first annual filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission since going public in August, Google disclosed this week that it anticipates spending more than $500 million on technology and other capital items in 2005, a substantial jump over the $319 million it spent in 2004 and the $176.8 million it spent in 2003. The company also said that its payroll, which grew from 1,628 employees in 2003 to 3,021 in 2004, must grow significantly to support its global expansion and research efforts, and to compete effectively with the two bigger firms it identified as its chief competitors, Microsoft Corp. and Yahoo Inc. [Read the rest]