On September 15, 1997, the domain name google.com was officially registered, marking a significant milestone in the history of the internet. This action initiated what would become the most influential website in the world, laying the foundation for a tech giant that continues to shape our online experiences today.
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The name “Google” itself is a clever twist on the mathematical term “googol,” which signifies the number 1 followed by 100 zeros. This choice mirrors the company’s founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, and their ambitious mission to “organise the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.” Had the pair opted for their original name, “Backrub,” the internet landscape as we know it could have turned out very differently.
The registered domain was just the starting point. Just under a year later, on September 4, 1998, Google was formally established. The inception of this venture was bolstered by an early investment of $100,000 from Andy Bechtolsheim, co-founder of Sun Microsystems. This funding facilitated an important transition from their university dorms to a more permanent base—a garage in Menlo Park, California. This humble location, owned by Susan Wojcicki, who would later become CEO of YouTube, hosted the new team’s initial operations, complete with a collection of desktop computers and a ping pong table to foster creativity.
Google’s rise was swift. By June 2026, it had secured its position as the most visited website globally, outperforming rivals such as YouTube and Facebook, according to data from Semrush. Beyond its search engine, the company expanded its portfolio to include widely-used products like Gmail, Google Maps, Google Chrome, Google Earth, and Android, benefitting millions of users worldwide.
In 2015, a significant restructuring saw the creation of Alphabet Inc., which became Google’s parent company. This strategic move underscored the organisation’s drive for growth and diversification. Page and Brin held leadership roles as CEO and president of Alphabet until December 2019, guiding the company as its market capitalisation reached an impressive $4.2 trillion, positioning it as the third most valuable publicly traded corporation, trailing only Nvidia and Apple.
Google’s influence extends far beyond the realm of technology. The term “Google” has been integrated into everyday language, with the Merriam-Webster dictionary defining it as a verb meaning “to use the Google search engine to obtain information about (someone or something) on the Internet.” This linguistic evolution illustrates how deeply ingrained Google has become in modern society.
Today, Google stands as a testament to innovation and forward-thinking. With a workforce of nearly 200,000 employees, it plays a pivotal role in the tech industry and continually adapts to meet the needs of its users. The path from a basic search engine to a multifaceted conglomerate is a remarkable journey that has irrevocably changed how individuals and businesses interact with information online.
As we commemorate the registration of google.com, it is clear that the legacy of Page and Brin has not only transformed the world of digital information but has also paved the way for emerging technologies. The ongoing evolution of Google continues to influence millions and reflects the ever-changing landscape of the internet.