{"id":1984,"date":"2007-01-08T23:55:24","date_gmt":"2007-01-08T18:25:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2007\/01\/google-tops-list-of-100-best-companies-to-work-for\/"},"modified":"2026-10-28T12:02:51","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T06:32:51","slug":"google-tops-list-of-100-best-companies-to-work-for","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2007\/01\/google-tops-list-of-100-best-companies-to-work-for\/","title":{"rendered":"Google and the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For: The Story Since 2007"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>In January 2007, Google was named number one on Fortune&#8217;s annual list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For, the first of many wins that made it the poster child for employee perks. Lists of the best companies to work for are still published every year and are widely used by job seekers. This post looks at how the Fortune list works, Google&#8217;s record on it, who leads today, and how to use these rankings when you choose an employer.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-68431\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/best-companies-to-work-for.webp\" alt=\"Yellow award ribbon on a bright blue background, for best companies to work for\" width=\"1200\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/best-companies-to-work-for.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/best-companies-to-work-for-300x158.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/best-companies-to-work-for-1024x538.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/best-companies-to-work-for-150x79.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/best-companies-to-work-for-768x403.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong>Quick answer:<\/strong> Fortune&#8217;s 100 Best Companies to Work For list is produced with Great Place To Work and is based mainly on anonymous employee surveys. Google first took the top spot in 2007 and went on to be named number one eight times in the 2007-2017 period, including six years in a row from 2012 to 2017. In 2026 the top spot went to Synchrony. Use these lists as a starting point, then check reviews, benefits for your country and the specific team.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6aee6851b9c00\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6aee6851b9c00\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2007\/01\/google-tops-list-of-100-best-companies-to-work-for\/#How_the_Fortune_100_Best_list_is_made\" >How the Fortune 100 Best list is made<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2007\/01\/google-tops-list-of-100-best-companies-to-work-for\/#Googles_record_on_the_list\" >Google&#8217;s record on the list<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2007\/01\/google-tops-list-of-100-best-companies-to-work-for\/#Who_leads_the_list_now\" >Who leads the list now?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2007\/01\/google-tops-list-of-100-best-companies-to-work-for\/#How_to_use_%E2%80%9Cbest_places_to_work%E2%80%9D_lists\" >How to use &#8220;best places to work&#8221; lists<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2007\/01\/google-tops-list-of-100-best-companies-to-work-for\/#What_changed_since_2007\" >What changed since 2007<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2007\/01\/google-tops-list-of-100-best-companies-to-work-for\/#FAQ\" >FAQ<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2007\/01\/google-tops-list-of-100-best-companies-to-work-for\/#How_many_times_was_Google_the_best_company_to_work_for\" >How many times was Google the best company to work for?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2007\/01\/google-tops-list-of-100-best-companies-to-work-for\/#Who_compiles_the_100_Best_Companies_to_Work_For_list\" >Who compiles the 100 Best Companies to Work For list?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2007\/01\/google-tops-list-of-100-best-companies-to-work-for\/#Is_the_list_only_for_US_companies\" >Is the list only for US companies?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2007\/01\/google-tops-list-of-100-best-companies-to-work-for\/#Do_best-company_rankings_mean_higher_pay\" >Do best-company rankings mean higher pay?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_the_Fortune_100_Best_list_is_made\"><\/span>How the Fortune 100 Best list is made<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The list is compiled with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greatplacetowork.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Great Place To Work<\/a>, which surveys employees anonymously about trust, pride, fairness and how much they enjoy working with colleagues. For the 2026 list, Great Place To Work says it analysed more than 1.3 million confidential survey responses. Companies must be Great Place To Work Certified and have at least 1,000 US employees to qualify, so the list covers large US employers.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Googles_record_on_the_list\"><\/span>Google&#8217;s record on the list<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>2006:<\/strong> Google was not in the top 100. Biotech company Genentech was number one.<\/li>\n<li><strong>2007:<\/strong> Google debuted at number one, ahead of Genentech, Wegmans Food Markets, The Container Store and Whole Foods Market.<\/li>\n<li><strong>2007 to 2017:<\/strong> Google was named number one eight times, including a run of six consecutive years from 2012 to 2017.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Back in 2007, the coverage highlighted free gourmet meals, on-site laundry, dry cleaning, oil changes and massages, and the famous &#8220;20% time&#8221; for engineers&#8217; own projects. It was said that Google received around 1,300 resumes a day at the time.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_leads_the_list_now\"><\/span>Who leads the list now?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Other companies have taken the crown since Google&#8217;s run. On the 2026 list, published in April 2026, financial services company Synchrony was named number one. Rankings shift every year as surveys change, so check the current list on <a href=\"https:\/\/fortune.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fortune<\/a> or Great Place To Work before relying on it.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_use_%E2%80%9Cbest_places_to_work%E2%80%9D_lists\"><\/span>How to use &#8220;best places to work&#8221; lists<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Treat them as a shortlist,<\/strong> not a guarantee. A great company can still have a difficult team or manager.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Check employee reviews<\/strong> on sites like Glassdoor and LinkedIn, and read recent ones.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Look at benefits for your country:<\/strong> perks at US headquarters may differ elsewhere.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ask in interviews<\/strong> about workload, flexibility, growth and how the team works.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Look beyond the US list:<\/strong> Great Place To Work publishes lists for many countries, including India.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Interested in applying to Google itself? Read our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2005\/08\/google-jobs-employment-top-reasons-to-work-at-google\/\">how to get a job at Google<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_changed_since_2007\"><\/span>What changed since 2007<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Our original January 2007 post reported Google&#8217;s first win on Fortune&#8217;s 10th annual list, quoted the perks that impressed the judges, listed the top five companies and noted that Google had not even been in the 2006 top 100. The old CNN Money and Forbes press-release pages we linked no longer exist. Google went on to dominate the list for a decade, and while it no longer holds the top spot, its perks helped set the standard many tech employers followed.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ\"><\/span>FAQ<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_many_times_was_Google_the_best_company_to_work_for\"><\/span>How many times was Google the best company to work for?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Google was named number one on Fortune&#8217;s list eight times between 2007 and 2017, including six straight years from 2012 to 2017.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_compiles_the_100_Best_Companies_to_Work_For_list\"><\/span>Who compiles the 100 Best Companies to Work For list?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Fortune publishes it with Great Place To Work, which runs the employee surveys behind the rankings.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_the_list_only_for_US_companies\"><\/span>Is the list only for US companies?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The Fortune 100 Best list covers companies with large US workforces. Great Place To Work publishes separate lists for other countries.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_best-company_rankings_mean_higher_pay\"><\/span>Do best-company rankings mean higher pay?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Not necessarily. The surveys focus on workplace culture and trust; pay and benefits vary, so compare offers directly.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In January 2007, Google was named number one on Fortune&#8217;s annual list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":68431,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1984","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-google"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1984","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1984"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1984\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":68432,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1984\/revisions\/68432"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/68431"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1984"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1984"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1984"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}