More on Google's Big Day

Wall Street's still reeling from Google's (GOOG) jaw-dropping numbers yesterday, as the company's stock has now risen to $552 a share amid news that profits rose 27 percent over this same period the year before. "We believe the worst of the recession is behind us," said a beaming Eric Schmidt yesterday. Indeed, analysts told the Los Angeles Times that the latest news reaffirms the theory that search advertising can stay strong even amid an general downturn. "Search is well-positioned in a poor economy," analyst David Hallerman told the Times. " There are a lot of companies that haven't gone out of business. They still need to get customers."

Even Silicon Alley Insider's got religion on Google, publishing a piece today that argues that the Android smartphone system is poised to be the second largest player in the mobile Internet market by 2012.

Amid all the champagne popping, we thought it would be helpful to remind people that for all its staggering growth, Google isn't as big as it seems. On the Fortune 500 list, the company occupies a lowly number 117. Who's bigger than Google, you might ask? Try some of these companies on for size: Staples (SPLS) (#109), Rite Aid (RAD) (#100), and Target (TGT) (#28). Don't give up on the old economy just yet.

And here's another reality check: plenty of tech firms are still head and shoulders above Google, at least in terms of revenue. Apple's (AAPL) at #71, Intel's (INTC) at #61, and big bad Microsoft (MSFT) is swaggering around at #35.

Sure, you say, but Google's profit is still damn impressive. Yes, but here's one last double-take. While Google's 2008 profit was a solid $4.23 billion, Phillip Morris (PM) had it well and truly beat with $6.89 billion, even after all the tobacco taxes and settlements. Search is great, but addiction always pays the bills.