Before Google, they worked on a research project called Backrub, designed to analyze links between web pages. That project turned into the foundation for a search engine that ranked results based on relevance — something no one else had done effectively at the time.
The company was incorporated in a small garage in Menlo Park, California, a space rented from Susan Wojcicki, who would later become the CEO of YouTube. That garage marked the beginning of one of the most successful companies in history.
How Old Is Google Today?
As of 2025, Google is 27 years old. It’s interesting that Google has two dates often linked to its start:
- September 4, 1998 — when it was officially founded.
- September 27, 1998 — the day Google celebrates as its birthday, used in many Google Doodles.
So depending on which date you go by, Google is roughly the same age either way — over two and a half decades of growth and innovation.
Who Founded Google?
Google was created by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, who met while studying at Stanford. They shared an interest in improving how people found information online.
Their system, called PageRank, ranked web pages by how many other pages linked to them. It helped users find better results and changed how the web was searched forever. Their goal was simple: to organize the world’s information and make it useful for everyone.
Why Was Google Created?
In the mid-1990s, search engines like Yahoo and AltaVista existed, but they weren’t great at giving accurate results. Larry and Sergey wanted to build a search engine that focused on quality and relevance, not just keyword matches.
Their approach quickly stood out. The results were faster, cleaner, and far more useful. What started as a small university project soon became a company with a mission that shaped the internet.
Major Milestones in Google’s History
From a garage start-up to a global tech giant, Google’s journey is filled with key moments:
- 1996: The Backrub project begins at Stanford.
- 1998: Google becomes a registered company in Menlo Park.
- 2000: Launch of Google AdWords.
- 2001: Eric Schmidt joins as CEO.
- 2004: Google goes public, raising $1.6 billion.
- 2005–2008: Launch of Google Maps, Gmail, YouTube acquisition, and Chrome browser.
- 2015: Google reorganizes under Alphabet Inc.
- 2019: Sundar Pichai becomes CEO of both Google and Alphabet.
These steps show how a simple idea from two students grew into a company that influences every part of digital life.
Where Is Google’s Headquarters?
Google’s global headquarters is in Mountain View, California, and is known as the Googleplex. The campus is famous for its open design, creative workspaces, and eco-friendly features. It’s located in the heart of Silicon Valley, home to many of the world’s leading tech companies.
Fun Facts About Google
- The name “Google” came from a misspelling of Googol, which is the number 1 followed by 100 zeros.
- Google’s first server was built using LEGO bricks.
- The first Google Doodle appeared in 1998 to mark the Burning Man Festival.
- Google’s old motto was “Don’t be evil.”
- Every day, Google processes more than 8.5 billion searches around the world.
These little facts remind us how much Google has changed — yet still keeps a playful spirit.
Conclusion
Google began as a small research project in 1998 and grew into a company that changed how people use the internet. From two Stanford students with a simple idea to a global tech leader, the journey spans more than 27 years of progress and innovation.
So, how old is Google? As of 2025, Google is 27 years old — and still shaping how the world searches, learns, and connects online.
