At the time, CFO Patrick Pichette had commented specifically on the benefits of Google's search ads for Google users. "We had a great quarter with 27% year-over-year revenue growth," he said. "These results demonstrate the value of search and search ads to our users and customers, as well as the extraordinary potential of areas like display and mobile. It's clear that our past investments have been crucial to our success today -- which is why we continue to invest for the long term."

There are many investigations facing Google around the world. The company testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee's privacy and technology subcommittee on Tuesday, for instance. That testimony reflected questions of mobile privacy, that Google and Apple have been collecting data about the location of Android and iPhone users without their permission.