From helpful images to AI, search engine giant, Google is 25, and it’s marking Quadranscentennial of amazing evolution. As someone who’s been following the world of search engines for more than two decades, it’s amazing to reflect on where Google started — and how far we’ve come.
When Google first launched 25 years ago, it was far from the first search engine. But quickly, it became known for its ability to help connect people to the exact information they were looking for, faster than they ever thought possible.
Over the years, it has continued to innovate and make search better every day. From creating entirely new ways to search, to helping millions of businesses connect with customers through search listings and ads (starting with a local lobster business advertising via AdWords in 2001), to having some fun with Doodles and easter eggs.
For its 25th birthday, it’s looking back at some of the milestones that made it more helpful in the moments that matter, and played a big role in where Google is today.
2001: Google Images
When Jennifer Lopez attended the 2000 Grammy Awards, her daring Versace dress became an instant fashion statement and the most popular query on Google at the time. Back then, search results were just a list of blue links, so people couldn’t easily find the picture they were looking for. This inspired the creation Google Images.
2001: “Did you mean?”
“Did you mean,” with suggested spelling corrections, was one of its first applications of machine learning. Previously, if your search had a misspelling (like “floorescent”), Google’d help you find other pages that had the same misspelling, which aren’t usually the best pages on the topic. Over the years it developed new AI-powered techniques to ensure that even if your finger slips on the keyboard, you can find what you need.
2002: Google News
During the tragic events of September 11, 2001, people struggled to find timely information in Search. To meet the need for real-time news, we launched Google News the following year with links to a diverse set of sources for any given story.
