The Fascinating History of the Google Logo
Google is one of the most widely used companies in the world, and its logo is instantly recognisable to people from all walks of life. But have you ever thought about the fascinating history behind this colourful, playful emblem?
From humble beginnings to global dominance, the Google logo has undergone numerous transformations, each with its own story.
Join us as we delve into the rich history of this iconic symbol and trace its evolution from a simple, unassuming design to a beloved and enduring cultural touchstone. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or just a curious observer, this exploration of the Google logo will surely surprise and captivate you.
Google has a fascinating history dating back to 1995 when it was called BackRub. However, it wasn't until 1997 that the company's founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, decided to change the name to Google.
The name Google is derived from the word “googol”, a mathematical term for the number one followed by 100 zeros. They chose the name to reflect the vast amount of information the search engine would process.
Although the company's name has evolved, its visual identity has remained relatively constant since its inception. The Google logo is a prime example of a brand identity that has become iconic and instantly recognisable.
The logo's bright primary colours and sleek design have become synonymous with the company. They have helped make Google one of the world's most valuable and recognisable brands.
Google's Origin: 1995

The BackRub logo, introduced in 1995, is a classic example of early branding in the technology industry. The logo was simple and contained a red wordmark with two capital letters.
The lettering was done in a bold sans serif font, similar to the PF fonts Fusion Sans Pro Black and Impart Family. The design was minimalist yet strong, representing the company's focus on search engine technology.
The BackRub logo reflects the company's values and culture of innovation and efficiency. The logo's clean lines and bold font were intended to convey a sense of strength and confidence, essential for a company still in its early stages. The red logo was also significant, representing energy, passion and excitement.
Despite its importance, the BackRub logo only lasted for two years. In 1997, the company changed its name to Google, and with it came a new logo. While the BackRub logo was simple and robust, the Google logo took a more playful and whimsical approach, reflecting the company's evolving culture and values.
The Original Google Logo Design: 1997-1998

In 1997, Google introduced its first official logo, which was initially only used for the beta version of the search engine. However, this logo design served as the basis for the brand's visual identity in the years to come.
The logo featured a playful design with three-dimensional jumping letters, each in a different colour. Although the design seemed somewhat amateurish, it was charming and memorable and laid the foundation for the iconic brand image Google is known for today.
At first glance, the 1997 Google logo seems almost whimsical in its design. The three-dimensional letters jump and bounce, conveying a sense of liveliness and movement.
The bright primary colours of blue, red, green and yellow used in the design are both fun and friendly and add to the overall playful feel of the logo. Although the logo was relatively simple and even somewhat amateurish in its execution, it quickly became a favourite among users.
The First Official Google Logo: 1998-1999

In 1998, Google introduced its first official logo. The design consisted of letters drawn in four colours: green, red, yellow or blue. They did the lettering in a transitional serif font, Baskerville Bold. The design reflected the corporate culture of the time – innovative, playful and creative.
Later that year, they added the blue exclamation mark to the logo to emphasise the company's mission to make search results more accessible and user-friendly.
The exclamation mark would remain a permanent part of the logo for a year, but the lettering continued to change. Towards a more modern and dynamic visual identity, the letters were given a three-dimensional effect and a light grey shadow. These changes give the logo depth and movement, making it more visually striking and memorable.
The new design also gave the brand a more professional and polished look while maintaining the playful and innovative spirit of the previous logo. Using a transitional-style serif font gave the design a touch of elegance and sophistication.
At the same time, the bright colours and 3D effect ensured that the logo did not look too serious or traditional.
Refinement: 1999-2013

In 1999, the Google logo underwent a significant redesign that departed from the previous 3D design. The new logo featured a simplified 2D shape, making it look sleeker and more modern. The company also switched to a new typeface, the serif Catull BQ, which featured elegant solid lines and sharp serifs.
This new typeface added a touch of sophistication and elegance to the design while maintaining the playful and approachable feel that had become synonymous with the Google brand.
Although the colour palette remained untouched, they made one notable change to the wordmark. The letters “O” were tilted slightly to the left to give the design a sense of movement and energy. This subtle detail helped to break up the symmetry of the logo and create a more dynamic visual impact.
Later that year, they added a three-dimensional version to Google's visual identity portfolio. This new version of the logo featured a bevelled effect that gave the logo a tactile and dimensional quality. The 3D effect was particularly effective as it gave the logo a sense of depth and space, setting it apart from other brands with flat designs.
Redesigning the Google logo in 1999 significantly evolved the brand's visual identity. The change to a 2D design and the introduction of a new font helped modernise the logo, while the slight slant of the “O” and the addition of a 3D version helped create a more dynamic and memorable design. These changes set the stage for further developing the Google brand and its visual identity in the years to come.
Killing the Shadow: 2010-2013

In 2010, Google made another significant update to its iconic logo, which helped cement the brand's position as one of the most recognisable in the world. The redesign removed the light grey shadow that had been part of the logo since 1998, giving it a cleaner and sleeker look.
This change made the logo more modern and visually appealing but also helped to make it more legible and easier to read in small sizes.
Another significant change to the Google logo in 2010 was lighting and intensifying the colours. The hues of the logo were more vibrant, creating a more eye-catching and attention-grabbing design.
This change made the logo more visually striking and helped reinforce the brand's identity as a fun and playful company constantly pushing boundaries and exploring new frontiers.
One of the most exciting features of the 2010 redesign came when many other brands were simplifying their logos and opting for more minimalist designs. Instead of following this trend, Google doubled down on its bold and colourful aesthetic, which has since become synonymous with the brand.
This decision has not only helped Google stand out from other brands in the technology industry. Still, it has also helped create a sense of consistency and continuity across all of the company's products and services.
Going 2D: 2013-2015

In 2013, Google underwent another redesign of its iconic logo. This time, the focus was on a more minimalist and modern design that reflects the company's commitment to simplicity and innovation.
The new logo features a flat design with no shadows or three-dimensional effects, giving it a sleek and streamlined look.
One of the most significant changes made to the logo in 2013 was the refinement of the colour shades. The hues of the logo were brighter and more vibrant, giving the design a livelier and more dynamic look.
The new colour scheme also helped provide the logo with a more modern and youthful look, which aligned with Google's brand identity as a company constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
Another meaningful change in the 2013 redesign was the more distinct serif letters. They revised the serif font used in the logo to make the serifs sharper and more defined, which gave the logo a more sophisticated and refined look.
This change helped make the logo easier to read, especially at smaller sizes and also helped reinforce Google's identity as a company dedicated to quality and attention to detail.
Current Google Logo: 2015-Today

In 2015, the Google logo underwent a significant transformation. The company shifted its typeface preference, moving from a serif to a sans-serif font. This change was aimed at enhancing readability and accessibility on various digital platforms.
The redesign was part of Google's broader strategy to convey the company's evolution beyond being merely a search engine. This pivotal update aligned with the introduction of its new parent company, Alphabet Inc., marking a complete rebranding initiative.
The new logo retained Google's core values of simplicity, friendliness, and accessibility. The design blended geometric precision and the straightforward charm reminiscent of schoolbook lettering. According to Google's lead designers, the approach was to maintain these essential traits amidst the aesthetic overhaul.
Another notable change in the 2015 redesign was using round shapes for the two letters “O” in the title. This decision departed from the previous versions, with letters sloping to the left.
Using circular forms in the logo helped create a more harmonious and balanced design and strengthened Google's identity as a company that values simplicity and clarity.
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Redesigning the Google logo in 2015 significantly changed the company's visual identity.
The new logo was more modern, streamlined and fresh, retaining the iconic colour scheme that had become synonymous with the Google brand.
The introduction of the Product Sans font and the use of circular shapes in the logo helped to reinforce Google's identity as a company that is always looking to the future and pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
Why did Google decide to make a change to the logo?

Every day, Google processes approximately 8.5 billion searches. On an annual basis, this adds up to an astounding 3.1 trillion searches worldwide.
The decision to change the Google logo was driven by several factors, including the evolution of technology and the way people interact with the internet. With more and more people accessing the internet via mobile devices, the existing logo seemed less relevant and practical.
To address this challenge, Google designed a new logo that better reflects modern life's realities, where people use various devices and platforms to access information and connect with others. The new logo has been designed to work seamlessly across multiple devices, including desktops, laptops, Chromebooks and smartphones.
In addition to improved functionality, the new logo has also been designed to be simpler and easier to read. Using a clean, bold sans-serif font and emphasising circular shapes makes the new logo more legible and distinctive, making it easier for users to identify with the Google brand.
Another critical factor in changing the Google logo was improving performance and reducing bandwidth usage. With its complex design and high number of bytes, the old logo did not meet the needs of modern internet users who require fast-loading, optimised content.
With its simplified design and smaller file size, the new logo helps Google display its brand identity quickly and efficiently, even on slower connections.
How the Google logo is yet to create a miracle in the industry

The Google logo has undergone numerous changes over the years, with each redesign reflecting the company's evolution and commitment to branding. The current design features a colour scheme that has been updated several times to ensure it remains relevant and visually appealing.
Since its introduction in 1995, the Google logo has evolved from a simple, red wordmark to the colourful, multi-dimensional design we know today. Despite these changes, Google has managed to maintain a consistent visual identity that remains recognisable to millions of users worldwide.
Google's commitment to rebranding and rebuilding has helped the company remain dominant in the internet world. By continually revamping its logo design and refining its brand strategy, Google has managed to stay ahead of the competition and remain a leading innovator in the technology industry.
We will likely see more innovative versions of the Google logo. Whether it's new colour schemes or typography, Google's commitment to branding excellence ensures that the company will continue to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of its users.
Google excels at maintaining a cohesive brand identity across its diverse products, such as Gmail and Google Docs, through a consistent application of colour, shape, and simplicity. Here's how:
Unified Colour Palette and Design
At the core of Google's branding strategy is its iconic colour palette. Each product, from communication tools to productivity services, leverages the same vibrant colours to facilitate immediate recognition. This strategic use of colour acts as a visual thread, seamlessly linking products to the leading brand.
Distinctive Shapes and Minimalism
Google's approach extends beyond colour.
It employs simple yet distinctive shapes across its product logos. For instance, the triangle theme is visible in several applications, where it maintains visual cohesiveness and symbolises the diverse functionalities — such as those for documents, spreadsheets, and presentations — within these products.
Despite the uniqueness of each service, the minimalist design ensures that they remain relatable to the overarching Google brand ethos.
Symbolic Icons
Icons play a crucial role in brand identity. Google effectively uses symbols that represent the essence of each service. Whether it's the envelope shape of Gmail, highlighting its role as an email platform, or the pin shape in navigation tools, these icons convey the purpose of each application while staying true to the brand's visual standards.
Strategic Branding Across Subsidiaries
While each Google product has distinct characteristics, the consistent style across its logos provides a sense of familiarity and reliability. This strategic uniformity enhances brand recognition and allows each product to exhibit its unique traits without losing its connection to the parent brand.
In summary, Google maintains its brand identity through meticulous attention to a unified colour scheme, simple shapes, and purposeful iconography, ensuring each product stands out while collectively representing a coherent brand image.
The Google Doodles

The tradition of Google Doodles began in 1998 when Larry Page and Sergey Brin designed the first Doodle in honour of the Burning Man Festival. The Doodle, which showed a stick figure standing behind the second “o” in Google, was intended to notify users if the servers went down while the founders were at the festival.
Initially, Google Doodles were created by contractors. However, Larry and Sergey wanted more creative control over the designs and asked Dennis Hwang to design a logo for Bastille Day in 2000. This began Google's internal Doodle team, which is now responsible for creating the various doodles on the Google homepage.
Over the years, the Doodle team has grown to design Doodles for various events and holidays, from Valentine's Day to International Women's Day to the Olympics. The team has even created interactive Doodles that allow users to play games or participate in virtual events.
Google Doodles have become an essential part of the company's brand identity, and millions worldwide look forward to seeing what the Doodle team comes up with next.
Wrapping Up
The Google logo has come a long way since it was founded as BackRub in 1995. Over the years, the company has continuously evolved its visual identity to reflect changing times and technology.
From the simple red wordmark to the bold Product Sans sans serif font, the Google logo has become an iconic symbol of the brand's commitment to innovation, simplicity and accessibility.
The introduction of Google Doodles added a touch of creativity and fun to the brand, making it more than just a search engine. Today, Google is more than just a company; it is a cultural phenomenon that has changed how we live and work.
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The history of the Google logo is a testament to the brand's commitment to staying relevant and connected to its users. We can't wait to see what new iterations and innovations are yet.
Interesting breakdown of the changes in the Google logo.