In just 0.16 seconds, a user can access more than 861,000,000 results just by typing “Obama” into the Google search bar. The instantaneous speed of information through Google, and the many applications that the site offers, can be accessed where ever there is Wireless Internet (WiFi). With the increase of WiFi in households, in public places, and in many phones, the Google search engine has become more popular than ever.

Some people believe that Google is detrimental because, when instantly receiving information, a user does not retain it as well. When Google is always available to a user, it is hard for them not to totally rely on it. This reliability may take away from the true knowledge a student retains just because he/she knows looking it up again is not that much of a hassle.

But, it was not long ago that the hassle of looking up one fact required driving to the library, finding an encyclopedia, and copying down the information. Now with immediate Internet feedback, it is possible to get the same fact just by typing it into Google and clicking on any of the millions of sites offered. The same facts are still provided to the researcher, regardless of the retrieval speed. By cutting back the time needed to look up the fact, the work process is expedited. Therefore, creating more time to get work done, and more time for leisure activities.

Accessing more information about world history, also,  is made easier for users through Google.  The invention of the printing press, almost two centuries ago, was an advancement that created an easier way to share literature. Rather than in past times when monks copied books down repeatedly, the printing press allowed the production of books at a faster pace. The increase in the number of books has helped human literature knowledge grow even greater. Google is a similar, more recent, invention that has furthered this knowledge by expanding the literature across the web to a larger number of readers.

Google’s broad spectrum of information and sources also helps to spread information on many topics.  For example, advancements in medicine are due part to the convenience of accessing lab results from other researchers and generic information on the same topic. Transferring these facts and discoveries is made faster and easier through web browsers such as Google, signifying the site’s beneficial effect to the world.

Google has started making their site more user friendly, with “advanced search” and “language tools” options. The options allow the user to narrow down his/her search, making the research accessible even faster. More options are also given regarding the type of content needed. The user can select from categories such as web, images, videos, and maps. The variety of sources offered in type, and visually, helps users find exactly what they are looking for.
The speed of information may seem overwhelming, but Google offers great opportunities of knowledge expansion. The invention of Google has changed the history of research drastically and will continue to benefit people all around the world.