How Old is Google

Google is a very popular search engine and most people prefer and love to use it. But do you know how old Google is?

Google was started a long time ago in the late 1990s by two students at Stanford University. They wanted to make it easier to find information on the Internet.

Since it began, Google has become the most used search engine in the world. It has changed how we find things on the internet.

How Old is Google Now?

Google was created on September 4, 1998. So today, Google is 26 years old.

As of 2024, according to seo.ai:

  • Google processes around 99,000 search queries every second
  • This translates to 8.5 billion searches per day
  • And roughly 2 trillion global searches annually
  • The average person conducts 3-4 searches per day
  • Google owns 92% of the global search engine market: 72% of the desktop market and 92% of the mobile market

These stats highlight Google’s overwhelming dominance in search.

The Begining of Search Engine Giant

Way back in the late 1990s, when Google was just a tiny project, the very first lines of code written were super important. Though they seemed small at the time, these coding lines built the base that the massive Google monster stands on today.

These original codes made all the algorithms and computer systems that allowed Google’s famous search engine to even work in the first place. They helped Google take its first technological baby steps with early innovations too.

And perhaps most importantly, they opened the doors for Google to later create all the awesome products and services we use every single day like Gmail, Google Maps, and more.

Simply put, if those pioneering codes were never written, Google would have never gotten off the ground to become the powerhouse it is now!

The name itself was a complete accident! The founders, two students named Larry Page and Sergey Brin, originally wanted to call their creation “Googol”, which is a super huge mathematical number with loads of zeros.

But when they went to register the website domain name, they accidentally typed “Google” instead with an incorrect spelling. Whoops! But rather than fixing it, they decided they actually liked the mistaken version better.

This mistake ended up being very lucky for them. Google is now one of the most recognizable names in the entire world.

Google’s Tiny Garage Beginnings

Can you guess where the world’s most popular search engine got its ultra-humble start? It might surprise you to learn that Google’s very first office was just a teeny tiny garage!

Yes, the same company that now has these massive corporate campuses all over the world once operated out of a garage in a regular residential neighborhood in California. It’s hard to imagine such a huge tech giant having these incredibly modest beginnings.

But that little garage office was absolutely crucial for allowing Google’s growth from just a big idea into an actual company. It gave the two student founders the space to really buckle down and develop all the smart computer coding that makes Google’s search engine work its magic.

More importantly, though, that garage is where Google’s famous employee-friendly office culture was first formed. From the start, the founders wanted to create a casual, collaborative environment for employees to work together as a close-knit team.

That easygoing vibe established in that garage still lives on today across Google’s modern workplace.

History of Google and Key Algorithm Updates in Google’s History

YearKey Events in Google’s HistoryKey Algorithm Updates
1996Larry Page and Sergey Brin start the Google project at Stanford University
1998Google is officially founded on September 4
2003Google launches the “Florida” update, drastically changing ranking algorithm
2004Google goes public with an initial public offering
2005Google introduces “NoFollow” attribute to combat spam links
2005“Jagger” update to tackle low-quality links
2006Google acquires YouTube
2008Google purchases DoubleClick
2009“Vince” update favoring big brands in search results
2010“May Day” update to improve long-tail search results
2011“Panda” update to reward high-quality websites
2012Google takes over Motorola Mobility“Penguin” update to penalize unnatural link profiles
2013Google integrates Waze into its services“Hummingbird” update to improve query precision and speed
2014Google acquires DeepMind Technologies“Pigeon” update for better local search results
2015Google restructures into Alphabet Inc., Sundar Pichai becomes CEO of Google“Mobile” (Mobilegeddon) update for mobile-friendly websites
2016“Possum” update to diversify local search results
2017Google fires James Damore over his controversial memo
2018“Medic” update focusing on health and medical sites
2019Google announces entry into the video game market with Google Stadia“BERT” update for better natural language processing
2019U.S. Department of Justice announces antitrust investigation into Google
2020Google announces cost-cutting measures due to COVID-19 pandemic“Core” update to improve overall relevance
2021Alphabet Workers Union is founded“Page Experience” update focusing on user experience metrics
2023Google removes Canadian news links due to legislation requiring paymentGoogle launches Search Generative Experience (SGE)
2024March 2024 Core UpdateFocused on identifying and reducing low-quality content

Timeline of Google’s Product Launches (1998-2024)

Here is a detailed table of notable products Google has launched since its inception in 1998:

YearProduct NameDescription
1998Google SearchThe original search engine used links to determine page importance.
2000Google AdWordsOnline advertising service where advertisers pay to display brief advertisements.
2001Google ImagesSearch engine for images on the web.
2002Google NewsAggregated news service compiling headlines from various sources.
2003AdSenseService allowing website publishers to display ads relevant to the site’s content.
2004GmailFree email service with a large storage capacity and powerful search capabilities.
2004Google ScholarSearch engine for scholarly literature across various disciplines.
2005Google MapsMapping service offering satellite imagery, street maps, and real-time traffic conditions.
2005Google EarthVirtual globe program that maps the Earth by superimposing satellite images.
2005Google TalkInstant messaging and VoIP service.
2006Google CalendarOnline calendar service that integrates with Gmail.
2006Google DocsWeb-based word processor, part of the Google Drive suite.
2006Google TrendsService showing the popularity of top search queries across various regions and languages.
2006Google FinanceService providing business news, financial data, and stock market information.
2006Google TranslateFree multilingual translation service.
2007AndroidOpen-source mobile operating system.
2008Google ChromeWeb browser designed for speed, simplicity, and security.
2008Google App EnginePlatform-as-a-Service for developing and hosting web applications in Google-managed data centers.
2010Google TVSmart TV platform integrating Google Search, Chrome, and streaming services.
2011ChromebookLine of laptops running Chrome OS, designed for web-based applications.
2011Google+Social networking service aimed at integrating various Google services.
2011Google WalletMobile payment system allowing users to store debit, credit, and loyalty card information.
2012Google DriveFile storage and synchronization service that integrates with other Google services.
2012Google GlassWearable technology with an optical head-mounted display.
2014Google CardboardFold-out cardboard viewer allowing users to experience virtual reality via a smartphone.
2015Google PhotosPhoto storage and sharing service with automatic organization and editing features.
2015Google HomeSmart speaker with an integrated virtual assistant, now branded as Google Nest.
2016Google AssistantVirtual assistant available on mobile and smart home devices.
2016Google WifiMesh-capable wireless router for improving Wi-Fi coverage.
2017Google PixelLine of consumer electronic devices including smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
2017Google LensImage recognition technology integrated with Google Assistant and Google Photos.
2018Google DuplexAn AI system for conducting natural conversations to carry out real-world tasks over the phone.
2019Google StadiaCloud gaming service allows instant play of video games across various devices.
2020Google MeetVideo communication service, part of the Google Workspace suite, replacing Google Hangouts.
2020Google WorkspaceCloud-based productivity and collaboration tools formerly known as G Suite.
2021Google ChatMessaging service for teams, replacing Google Hangouts.
2022Pixel WatchSmartwatch with health and fitness tracking features, integrated with Google services.
2022Pixel 7Latest iteration of Google’s flagship smartphone with advanced camera and AI capabilities.
2023BardConversational AI chatbot
2024GeminiGoogle renamed Bard to Gemini
2024TrilliumTrillium, 6th generation TPU, offering 4.7x better compute performance per chip compared to TPU v5e

From a small startup to a global tech titan, Google’s journey has been an incredible ride.

And considering how deeply embedded Google is in our modern lives, I’d say its founders’ vision for organizing the world’s information has been an amazing success so far. Who knows what the next 26 years will bring?

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Google?

Google was founded on September 4, 1998, making it 26 years old as of 2024.

Who founded Google?

Google was founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin.

What is the parent company of Google?

In 2015, Google restructured and created a new parent company called Alphabet Inc., the same parent company that owns Waze, YouTube, and other acquisitions.

Who is the current CEO of Google?

Sundar Pichai became the CEO of Google in 2019 after founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin stepped down.

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