Google significantly influences everyone’s daily lives. From addressing unusual late-night inquiries and assisting with traffic navigation to resolving heated arguments, Google is always there.
However, in addition to its comprehensive search capabilities, this technology powerhouse has a fascinating history filled with unexpected turns, fortunate mishaps, and truly strange occurrences.
1. Google Handles A Lot Of Questions Every Single Day
Google handles searches at an astonishing speed, processing between 96,335 and 99,000 queries per second, which works in favor of most digital marketing agencies in utah. This translates to roughly 8.5 billion searches daily, culminating in an incredible 2 trillion searches annually. In essence, if Google earned a penny for each search, it would surpass even its own wealth.
2. Google Has Been To Outer Space
NASA utilized Google Earth to create maps of Mars and the Moon, allowing users to explore outer space. Consequently, Google Maps can also assist in viewing Mars. Additionally, Google Earth offers views of eerie locations and some mysterious shipwrecks that have been documented.
3. Google Is Actually An Abbreviation
The name actually originates from a typographical error of ‘googol‘, which represents an extraordinarily large number (1 followed by 100 zeros). The founders chose this name to reflect their goal of organizing an immense volume of information.
4. Google Slides Once Had Laser Vision
Google offers a wide range of over 271 products, including its well-known search engine. Among these is Google Slides, which once featured a playful Easter egg. By pressing Ctrl + Alt + Shift + B during a presentation, users could see a cat with laser eyes appear on the screen.
5. Google Has A Mystery Barge
An intriguing fact about Google is that it previously constructed a mysterious floating barge near San Francisco, which led to various speculations. In reality, it was designed to serve as a high-tech showroom, but the project was ultimately abandoned due to regulatory challenges.
6. Why Google Images Exists
In 2000, J.Lo made waves across the internet and the globe with her legendary green Versace dress at the Grammys. The public was eager to find images of it, but Google Search was not equipped for that at the time.
7. Google Tried To Sell Itself For A Million Dollars
In 1999, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, the founders of Google, attempted to sell their small search engine to Excite for $1 million, but the CEO of Excite declined the offer. Today, Google has a valuation exceeding $1.5 trillion.
8. Google Uses Camels
One of the most fascinating aspects of Google is its innovative use of camels in areas inaccessible to vehicles, such as the deserts of Abu Dhabi. Google Maps employs these camels, equipped with 360-degree cameras, to document the stunning scenery of the sandy dunes.
9. Doing A Barrel Roll
To witness an impressive feat by Google, just enter ‘do a barrel roll’ in the search bar and press Enter. Your screen will perform a complete 360-degree rotation, delivering a moment of excitement. This entertaining feature is a nod to the iconic Nintendo game Star Fox 64, where the expression ‘Do a barrel roll’ became well-known.
10. Google Doesn’t Exist In Some Countries
Certain nations, including China, Crimea, Cuba, and Syria, have prohibited Google due to concerns over national security, territorial conflicts, or a preference for domestic alternatives. In 2021, Russia imposed a significant fine on Google for failing to eliminate content it found objectionable. Although not outright banned, Google experiences delays, service interruptions, and scrutiny from authorities.
11. The Homepage Used To Be Nothing
The founders aimed for simplicity, elegance, and ease of use. However, they were not well-versed in HTML at that time. As a result, they opted for a straightforward design, leading to the creation of Google’s iconic minimalist style.
12. Google Has An Impressive Portfolio
Google is not only a leader in search but also a powerhouse in business acquisitions. As of this article’s publication, Google has purchased over 250 companies throughout its history, such as YouTube, Android, DeepMind, and Waze, solidifying its position as one of the largest technology giants.
13. The Google Doodles
Google frequently enhances its homepage with playful and imaginative doodles during special events, creating a delightful surprise for users. The inaugural doodle appeared on August 30, 1998, showcasing a stick figure relaxing above the Google logo.
14. The Curse Of The “I’m Feeling Lucky” Button
You may have observed the small ‘I’m Feeling Lucky’ button on Google’s homepage. This feature acts as a VIP shortcut for search results, taking you directly to the top result page instead of displaying a list of links, thus saving you valuable time. Interestingly, this unique feature avoids ads, resulting in Google losing millions in revenue annually.
15. There Are Animals At Google HQ
Rather than employing lawnmowers, Google utilizes goats to graze the grass at its California headquarters, providing an environmentally sustainable method for landscape maintenance.
16. Google On Wheels
In 2009, Google initiated its self-driving car technology development through the ‘Self-Driving Car Project’, which evolved into Waymo in 2016, creating vehicles capable of autonomous driving without any human intervention.
17. Doing Pranks
One of the intriguing aspects of Google is its tradition of pranks, which started in 2000 with MentalPlex, a fictitious mind-reading search tool that amused and baffled users. When Google introduced Gmail on April 1, 2004, providing an unprecedented 1 GB of storage, many believed it was another joke.
18. Star Wars Easter Egg
An intriguing fact about Google is that it offers a delightful surprise for Star Wars enthusiasts! When you type “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away” into the search bar, your display morphs into the legendary Star Wars opening crawl, featuring the classic scrolling yellow text.
19. A Name For Every Generation
You might be surprised to learn that the company has distinct titles for its staff. Long-term employees are referred to as Googlers, newcomers are known as Nooglers, and those who have left the company are called Xooglers.
20. Google Goes Green
A key focus for Google is sustainability, as it aims to recycle or reuse all of its outdated electrical equipment. This includes everything from servers to cables, ensuring that nothing is wasted. Components are either refurbished, repurposed, or disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner. Through these efforts, Google minimizes e-waste and maintains eco-friendly operations in its data centers.
Google is more than just the leading search engine globally; it is a technological innovator, a playful entity, and a trailblazer of the digital era. Therefore, when you perform a Google search, keep in mind that you are engaging with a company that is continually influencing the future in delightful and surprising ways.
