This Saturday, September 27, Google celebrated its 27th anniversary. As is tradition, a doodle appeared on the search engine’s homepage, taking users back to the company’s roots—the very first logo, which debuted in 1998. This nostalgic touch not only brings a smile to those who remember the early days of the internet but also highlights how far the company has come since then.
Although Google was officially registered on September 4, 1998, September 27 became the company’s symbolic anniversary. On this day, a record number of indexed websites was reached, marking a significant milestone in the search engine’s development. Since then, this date is celebrated as Google’s birthday, and each year users look forward to a new doodle dedicated to the occasion.
Interestingly, the project was originally called BackRub, as its algorithm analyzed backlinks on web pages. However, as the project quickly expanded, the founders considered a new name. They liked the term Googol—a mathematical term for a number with one hundred zeros—symbolizing the vast amount of data the search engine could process. But when the domain was registered, a typo occurred: instead of Googol, it was entered as Google. This fortuitous mistake gave rise to the brand name now known worldwide.
This year, Google once again returns to its roots, presenting users with a vintage doodle featuring its first logo. This move not only highlights respect for its own history but also serves as a reminder that even the largest tech giants started with simple ideas and small teams. Over 27 years, Google has evolved from a search engine created in a garage into a company shaping the development of technology—from email and mobile platforms to artificial intelligence and cloud services.
Every time a festive doodle appears on the homepage, interest in the company’s history grows. Users discuss on social media what the new image represents and recall how Google has influenced their daily lives. The unusual story behind the name, the tradition of celebrating its birthday on September 27, and ongoing innovation have made Google an integral part of the digital age. And it seems this story is only just beginning.
