Happy Birthday, Google: Celebrating the digital genie that answers every query!

Every year on September 27, we celebrate the birth anniversary of Google, the search engine that revolutionised how we navigate the vast digital world. From humble beginnings in a garage to becoming the global tech powerhouse it is today, Google has left an indelible mark on the way we live, work, and connect. Whether it’s answering billions of queries each day, mapping the entire globe, or pioneering breakthroughs in AI, Google has become an essential part of our daily lives. 

Believe it or not, while I’m writing this, I’m also Googling facts about it!

Let’s unveil some bizarre facts

Did you know? Google was almost named BackRub

Before Google got its name, it was originally called BackRub, referencing how the search engine analysed backlinks to rank pages. Imagine saying, ‘Let me BackRub that’!

Googol vs Google 

The name Google is a misspelling of Googol, which refers to the Number 1 followed by 100 zeros. The founders wanted to symbolise the vast amount of information Google would index. 

Known as a verb
In 2006, Google officially became recognised as a verb, solidifying its status in the English language — though people had already been casually using it as slang long before that.

Google’s homepage is simple to navigate
Google’s clean and simple homepage design? It’s because the founders weren’t skilled in HTML coding at the time and just wanted to keep things functional.

The ‘I’m Feeling Lucky’ button costs millions annually
Although it’s hardly used anymore, the famous ‘I’m Feeling Lucky’ button costs Google up to $110 million per year. Why? It skips ads and takes users directly to the top result.

Google employees are Known as Nooglers
New employees at Google are called ‘Nooglers’. As part of a quirky tradition, they wear colourful propeller hats on their first day.

Google has a dinosaur statue named Stan
Google’s headquarters features a life-sized T-Rex statue named Stan. The reason? To remind employees that they need to keep innovating to avoid becoming obsolete!

Google owns a flock
One of the most uncommon and funny facts about Google is that it owns a flock of 200 goats, which it rents to ‘mow’ the grass at its Mountain View headquarters. Instead of using noisy lawnmowers, Google opts for these eco-friendly grazers to keep the lawns neat, adding a quirky and green touch to their campus! 

So, let us pause and send a virtual thank you to Google for being the digital wizard of our everyday lives. From endless searches to quirky doodles, you’ve given us answers, maps, and much more faster than the blink of an eye.

Happy birthday! May your algorithmic brilliance continue to light up the world.

From your ever-searching fans!