How Old Is Google? The Story Behind the Search Engine

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5-minute read

Author

Arthur Andreyev is a marketing enthusiast with 7+ years of experience. As SEO PowerSuite Ltd's content creator, he enjoys writing insightful blog posts about Google's patents, Core Web Vitals, etc.

Date

Feb 19, 2025

How Old Is Google? A Look at Its Origins
- The Birth of Google
Google’s Key Milestones Over the Years
How Google Has Evolved Over the Years
The Future of Google
FAQ: How Old Is Google?

Google has transformed how we access information, becoming an essential part of daily life. From answering simple questions to powering AI-driven innovations, it has evolved into the world’s most influential search engine. But have you ever wondered how old Google is? In this post, we’ll explore its history, from a small research project in a garage to a global tech powerhouse shaping the future of search.

How Old Is Google? A Look at Its Origins

Google was officially founded on September 4, 1998, making it 26 years old in 2025. It started as a research project at Stanford University, created by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, who aimed to improve how information was organized online.

The Birth of Google

Google’s origins date back to 1995, when Page and Brin developed a search algorithm called "BackRub," which analyzed web links to rank website importance. In 1997, they rebranded it as "Google," a name inspired by the mathematical term “googol”—symbolizing the vast amount of data they sought to organize.

On September 4, 1998, Google Inc. was officially established in a garage in Menlo Park, California. This moment marked the birth of what would become the world’s most dominant search engine.

Fun Fact: An early Google employee filmed footage of the company’s garage office in 1998, offering a glimpse into its humble beginnings.

Google’s Key Milestones Over the Years

1998 – Google Is Founded

September 4, 1998 – Google Inc. is officially registered.
The first Google search engine operates from a garage.

2000 – Google Ads & Global Growth

Google AdWords (now Google Ads) launches, revolutionizing digital advertising.
Google becomes the world’s leading search engine, processing over 1 billion searches per day.

2004 – Gmail & Going Public

Google launches Gmail on April 1, 2004.
The company goes public with an IPO of $85 per share.

2006 – The YouTube Acquisition

Google acquires YouTube for $1.65 billion, expanding into video content.

2015 – Google Becomes Alphabet Inc.

Google restructures under Alphabet Inc., signaling its expansion beyond search.

2023 – AI-Powered Search

Google integrates AI-driven search features, enhancing results and voice search capabilities.

2025 – Google’s Latest Innovations

Google strengthens its AI-powered search engine, making multimodal search (text, image, video) more advanced.
Further integration of Google Gemini, its AI assistant, into search and productivity apps.
Expansion of zero-click search results, providing more direct answers without users needing to visit websites.
Increased focus on user privacy, with more tools for controlling search history and AI personalization.

How Google Has Evolved Over the Years

Since its founding, Google has continuously reshaped online search and technology. Some of its biggest innovations include:

✅ AI & Machine Learning – Smarter search results with algorithms like RankBrain.
✅ Mobile-First Indexing – Prioritizing mobile-friendly websites.
✅ Voice Search & Featured Snippets – Instant answers via Google Assistant.
✅ Core Algorithm Updates – Improving search relevance and user experience.
✅ Multimodal Search (2025) – Allowing users to search using a combination of text, images, and videos for more intuitive results.

The Future of Google

Now 26 years old, Google continues to push the boundaries of technology. With AI-driven search, multimodal capabilities, and evolving privacy features, it remains at the forefront of the internet’s evolution.

FAQ: How Old Is Google?

Q: When was Google founded?
A: Google was officially founded on September 4, 1998.

Q: How old is Google in 2025?
A: Google is 26 years old in 2025.

Q: Who founded Google?
A: Larry Page and Sergey Brin, two Stanford Ph.D. students, created Google.

Q: What is Google focusing on in 2025?
A: Google is enhancing AI search, multimodal capabilities, and privacy controls to improve user experience.