Google in 1998: Are you on a quest to searching what Google looked like in 1998? If your answer is a resounding YES, then you’ve landed in the right spot.
Google serves us in numerous ways and capacities. While most of us associate it primarily with being the largest and most widely used online search engine, there’s another facet to Google that it offers us—entertainment.
This entertainment could stem from the array of games available or the hidden Easter eggs. If you’ve been hunting for the latter, you’ve reached your destination!
Continue reading this article to uncover more…
Google In 1998
The Google search engine was birthed in September 1998 by two Stanford University Ph.D. candidates, Larry Page and Sergey Brin. Initially conceived as a research project, Google aimed to employ an algorithm for pinpointing relevant search results.
The algorithm, later known as PageRank, gauged the significance of individual webpages by analyzing their cross-references. Interestingly, the name ‘Google’ intentionally misspells the word ‘googol,’ which signifies a staggering number represented by 1 followed by a hundred zeros (10^100).
Are you eager to take a stroll down memory lane? It’s entirely feasible, courtesy of Google. More precisely, it’s achievable through “Google 1998.”
Google developed this feature to celebrate its 15th anniversary. By typing “Google in 1998” or “Google 1998” into your search bar, you can witness what Google’s original interface looked like during December 1998.
What Is An Easter Egg In Google?
Both Google and the internet at large house virtual Easter eggs. These hidden gems encompass pop culture references, images, messages, and other elements. They’ve found their way into a multitude of video games, crossword puzzles, films, and websites.
Discovering these Easter eggs is akin to a delightful treat for inquisitive internet users. Think back to those moments when you stayed a bit longer in the theater to catch bonus scenes or bloopers from your favorite movie—the sensation is akin.
Google has seamlessly incorporated these surprises into many of its services, including Google Search and YouTube.
More On Google In 1998 Easter Egg!
To mark its 15th birthday, Google introduced a playful Easter egg that showcases the site’s original 1998 design. Simply input “Google in 1998” (without quotation marks) into your search bar, and witness the transformation. However, please note that this 1998 Google Easter egg isn’t functional for actual searches.
Upon typing “Google in 1998,” the Google.com page adopts its original layout from its inception. Don’t be surprised if the vintage design and exclamation point evoke a sense of nostalgia reminiscent of Yahoo. Just below the search box, a prominent blue link beckons you to “take me back to present.” Clicking this link will promptly restore the contemporary Google interface.
Pay attention to Google’s playful invitation at the bottom, encouraging users to explore searches on other popular search engines of that era, including AltaVista, HotBot, Excite, Infoseek, and Lycos. Clicking these links offers a glimpse into the archived versions of those traditional search engines.
It’s truly captivating to observe the evolution of the search engine from its early days of ten blue links to the dynamic search engines that now encompass universal search elements such as images, videos, and news. However, while you can’t execute a search in the retro Google version, it’s a testament to the search engine’s remarkable journey.
Other Popular Easter Eggs
Now that you’ve gained comprehensive insight into the Google 1998 Easter egg, it’s time to explore further! Google has sprinkled numerous popular Easter eggs for you to enjoy. Over the years, Google has generously bestowed a plethora of Easter eggs to keep enthusiasts, like myself, thoroughly entertained.
Some of these gems involve posing intriguing queries to the search engine. For instance, asking, “the answer to the most important question in life, the universe, and everything,” yields the iconic response, “42.” Similarly, inquiring about the definition of an anagram leads to a witty reply: “did you mean: nerd fame again.”
Other playful interactions include prompting Google to “do a barrel roll,” which results in a continuous screen rotation rather than a conventional search outcome. And that’s not all—typing certain keywords, like “snake” or “snake game,” brings up the beloved Snake game right on your screen!
Here are some of the most popular Google Easter eggs to keep on your radar in 2023:
- Do A Barrel Roll: This whimsical search term initiates a surprising 360-degree flip, and the results may even appear upside down.
- Google Gravity: Prepare to be astonished as the entire search results page shatters into pieces upon searching for this Easter egg, leaving you with a blank screen. To restore order, you must drag each piece upward.
- BLINK: This HTML-based Easter egg adds an element of fun to your search results. Upon entering “blink HTML,” certain words on the search page begin to blink.
- Snake: Remember the classic Snake game from your childhood? Type “snake” or similar terms, and watch as the game unfolds before your eyes.
Wrapping It Up!
If you were on a quest to unveil the appearance of Google in 1998, I trust that this article has been instrumental in satisfying your curiosity. Should any other queries related to this subject arise, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Simply scroll to the bottom of the page, where you can leave your comments and inquiries in the designated box. I’ll be more than happy to provide you with prompt answers!
Please feel free to ask any further questions you may have.