What does Google do differently?

Obviously Google has become the most important online player, for consumers, advertisers and actually for everybody. So they must have done something differently.

Is it the technology that allows users achieving the best search results and finding the most relevant answers on their questions? Is it the design that doesn't irritate visitors by displaying loads of flashy ads, colours and animations? Or is it just their strategy launching tools early and improving them later on, just for getting out with something rather than nothing.

Probably it's all of the above but apparently there's something else they're doing differently. Thinking! I don't want to defend everything Google does at all. Finally they are a capitalistic corporation as all the others in Silicon Valley. But for me it's still revolutionary that a creature like google gets along completely without display advertising, especially when comparing with Yahoo. And for me it's still exciting being invited for helping them improving their tools. So it's not only them providing software for www users but it's also us helping them developing their strenghts in order for us to have the most relevant tools that fulfill our needs. That's still fantastic! Obviously not only for me.