GOOGLE
Description

If you've never Googled, you probably aren't finding what you want online. Google operates the leading Internet search engine, offering targeted search results from more than 8 billion Web pages. The site, which ranks results based on a proprietary algorithm, offers search results in more than 35 languages and attracts an audience of more than 380 million people worldwide. The company generates revenue through ads that are targeted by keywords. Google also sells ads across a network of more than 200,000 affiliated Web sites. Founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page each have nearly 30% voting control of the company.

Google is increasingly moving beyond its core business of search engine services and advertising. In the past two years, Google has transformed into a provider of Web portal services, including Webmail, blogging, photo sharing, and instant messaging. Other tools Google offers to help its users make the most of their digital life include comparison shopping services (Froogle), an online image library (Google Images), general news stories (Google News), financial news (Google Finance), interactive maps (Google Maps), and Internet discussion groups (Google Groups). The company also purchased YouTube for more than $1.6 billion in order to complement its online video offering (Google Video).

HOT TOPIC
Description

What's the Hot Topic? "Everything About the Music," according to this punkish, teen-oriented retail chain. Hot Topic's 660-plus mall-based stores in the US and Puerto Rico sell rock-inspired clothing and accessories in settings resembling industrial clubs where teens party. The retailer also operates 120 Torrid stores for plus-sized customers. Teens can buy T-shirts from TV shows, such as "SpongeBob SquarePants," and licensed concert apparel from rockers including Eminem, Marilyn Manson, Tool, and Linkin Park. Hot Topic also produces private-label Morbid-brand products (including Morbid Threads and Morbid Makeup). Developed with the MTV generation in mind, Hot Topic targets customers ages 12 to 22.