Google is one of the most iconic and influential companies of the digital age, shaping the way we search for information and interact with the online world. Founded in 1998 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google started as a simple search engine but quickly expanded to become a tech giant, offering a wide range of services from maps and email to artificial intelligence and self-driving cars.

Over the years, the company has accumulated a series of fascinating trivia, such as the meaning of its name, which comes from “googol,” a gigantic number, or the origin of its famous slogan “Don’t be evil.” Known for its innovative work culture and colorful offices, Google also has some of the most challenging interview processes in the world.

Discover more about these intriguing facts and how Google became a central part of our daily lives.

1 – GOOGLE WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE

When Google emerged, it was neither the only one nor the pioneer among the search engines available on the internet.

Initially, its use was restricted to searching for text-based content published online.

However, in a short time, Google Search—the official name of the company’s search engine—underwent various evolutions, adding new features and functionalities to provide a more interactive and efficient experience for users.

2 – IT WAS FOUNDED IN THE ’90s

Google was founded in 1998 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, and its first office was not located in an impressive commercial building in New York but rather in the garage of a friend of the founders, Susan Wojcicki. Susan Wojcicki currently serves as the CEO of YouTube.

3 – THE CREATION OF GOOGLE TRANSLATE

In 2002, Google researchers began developing automatic translation technology to facilitate communication between people on the internet. This project led to the creation of Google Translate, launched four years later, initially offering text translations between Arabic and English.

Today, Google Translate supports over 100 languages, with 24 new languages added in 2022, including Guarani. This indigenous language was highlighted on the big screen during Google I/O 2022, alongside other languages of indigenous peoples around the world.

4 – WHAT DID YOU MEAN?

If you’ve ever typed a search incorrectly on Google, you’ve probably seen the phrase “Did you mean?” suggesting corrections for your typo. This feature was one of the first uses of machine learning on the search platform.

Before that, when a search contained a spelling error, Google would direct users to pages that also contained the same error, which often were not the best sources on the topic searched.

5 – JENNIFER LOPEZ’S DRESS

The creation of image search on Google has a curious origin: a celebrity’s dress. When Jennifer Lopez appeared at the 2000 Grammy Awards wearing a striking Versace dress, the search for her photo became the most popular search on Google at that time.

However, back then, search results consisted only of a list of blue links, which made it difficult for people to find the desired image. This event led Google, in 2001, to develop the Images tab, allowing for more direct visual searches.

6 – COMPANY PRODUCTS WITH BILLIONS OF USERS

According to Google’s CEO, Sundar Pichai, there are currently 15 company products that individually serve more than 500 million people and businesses around the world. Among these, six exceed the 2 billion user mark each.

Some of these high-reach products include Gmail, Google Drive, Google Maps, Google Photos, and others.

7 – GOOGLE HAS HAD FAILURES

You might not remember, but Google hasn’t always had a path of absolute success. Several of its products did not achieve the expected impact and were eventually discontinued by the company.

One example is Google Wave, a platform aimed at the corporate environment that combined various Google tools, such as Docs, Maps, and a messaging app, into one place.

Despite being an innovative proposal, the functionalities were confusing, which made it difficult for users to navigate. As a result, Google decided to shut it down just a year after its launch.

8 – GOOGLE HAD A SOCIAL NETWORK… BUT IT DIDN’T WORK OUT

Another platform that had a longer life but also failed to establish itself was the social network Google+. Available from 2011 to 2019, Google+ managed to gather 250 million users but couldn’t compete with the popularity of Facebook. Just before being discontinued, the company revealed that 90% of visits to the social network lasted less than 5 seconds.

9 – THE SUCCESS OF ANDROID

One of Google’s biggest successes was undoubtedly the Android operating system. As the main rival to Apple’s iOS, Android is present in about 3 billion devices worldwide, from foldable smartphones to simpler models. In Brazil, a survey by Statista revealed that, as of May this year, nearly 80% of Brazilians use Google’s operating system on their smartphones.

10 – IT NEARLY SOLD FOR “ONLY” 1 MILLION DOLLARS

In the early days of the company, the founders tried to sell Google to Yahoo for “only” 1 million dollars. I use the term “only” because, today, Google’s value exceeds 400 BILLION dollars.

It’s almost sad to think about the person who turned down that initial offer. However, the lesson remains: never give up on your dreams and ideas, because you never know how far they might take you.

11 – AROUND THE WORLD MORE THAN 300 TIMES

You know the Google cars that have filmed streets around the world for Google Street View? Well, they have traveled over 13 million kilometers in total.

To put it in perspective, considering that the Earth’s circumference at the equator is 40,000 kilometers, it’s as if Google has circled the globe 325 times.

12 – “EASTER EGGS” INSIDE GOOGLE

Did you know that Google has several “Easter Eggs”? These are little secrets within the site that can help you on certain occasions. Here are five of the most interesting ones:

• If you search for “animal sounds,” you’ll find a list with dozens of options to entertain kids, including dogs, birds, horses, whales, tigers, and even a dinosaur.
  
• If you need to choose a color, type “color picker” and Google will provide all the color information and patterns, such as HEX, RGB, HSV, HSL, and CMYK. You can explore the options with your mouse or adjust HTML color codes on the side.
  
• For raffles and lotteries that need a random number, use Google’s number generator. Set a minimum and maximum range, and Google will make the selection for you.
  
• If anxiety and stress are bothering you, some simple breathing exercises might help. Google offers a one-minute breathing exercise that can be quite effective.
  
• And if you have some free time, the Google Play Store has a variety of games. But if you prefer not to download anything, type “solitaire” and play a card game directly in your browser.
  
  In summary, Google, which started as a modest project in a garage, has evolved into one of the largest and most influential companies in the world.
  
  From its early days, the tech giant has not only transformed the way we search for and access information but has also innovated with products like Android, which is now present in billions of devices around the globe.
  
  In the end, Google is not just a search tool but a pillar of modern technology, shaping and facilitating our digital lives in ways that few could have imagined.