We have always tried to concentrate on the long term, and…
“We have always tried to concentrate on the long term, and to place bets on technology we believe will have a significant impact over time. It's hard to imagine now, but when we started Google most people thought search was a solved problem and that there was no money to be made apart from some banner advertising. We felt the exact opposite: that search quality was very poor, and that awesome user experiences would clearly make money.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker emphasizes focusing on long‑term technology bets, believing that improving search quality will create significant value despite early skepticism.
In simple terms: Invest in technology that will matter later, not just short‑term gains.
Prioritize long‑term impact over immediate profit.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- startup planning
- product development
- venture capital
- R&D
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance long‑term vision with short‑term sustainability?
- What risks arise from betting on unproven tech?
It may underestimate short‑term cash flow needs or market volatility.