Sorry this is a long post, but I felt like it may come in handy for some.
I've seen "are" and "is" being used in sort of a funny way, not only on these forums but many in other places in written speech, and I wanted to see if I could put to rest some of the confusion surrounding them.
Collection "is" singular.
Collections "are" plural.
Group "is" singular.
Groups "are" plural.
Squadron "is" singular.
Squadrons "are" plural.
Company "is" singular.
Companies "are" plural.
Google "is" a singular company.
Google "is" a singular noun.
Google "is" not plural.
Employees "are" plural.
Otherwise how do you differentiate between one group vs many groups, or between one company and many companies?
There is a difference.
One group "is" singular.
Many groups "are" plural.
Just as one company "is" singular and many companies "are" plural.
Otherwise it becomes confusing.
A person is made up of many cells.
Should we therefore say, "a person are a many-celled organism?"
No.
A playground is made up of many toys.
Should we therefore say, "a playground are fun to play on?"
No again.
A platoon is made up of many soldiers. Should we therefore say, "My platoon are really good?"
No, that would sound wrong.
So why do we say, "Google are a great company."
I think it should read, "Google is a great company."