There's no posted evidence for the idea that Google only makes money on advertising, either. Can we have a discussion where we assume that everyone isn't an idiot who needs a link for every statement? Or do you seriously think advertising is the only way Google makes money? If so, sibling comment posted some nice links that one would do well to read.
They're publicly traded. Their revenue sources are open for the public to read. The other guy saying they're diversified linked to their quarterly to show 80% ad revenue. That's pretty much "they're an ad company".
A decade ago when the OP was an intern it was 100%! Non-ad revenue source have grown by infinity percent!
I made a very specific claim and I'm not sure what everyone's problem is. Google has found other sources of revenue and is actively trying to grow those sources. There are other hoses. I have never claimed it's not an ad company or that ads have somehow gone away. Because that would be dumb and factually wrong.
> They've mostly given up on the idea of a clever person finding a new money-hose. They just focus on the one they have now.
The financial numbers suggest they have not given up and have succeeded incrementally towards other sources since. How else do you correct the above statement?