on September 27, 2025, Google turned 27 years old — and to mark the occasion, it went retro. The search giant replaced its homepage logo with the original 1998 Google design, giving users a nostalgic glimpse of its humble beginnings.
This doodle is more than just a playful graphic. It’s a reminder of how far the company has come since its garage-startup days, how design shapes identity, and how even the most futuristic tech companies can stay rooted in their origins.
Why Does Google Celebrate on September 27?
Here’s a fun fact: Google was actually incorporated on September 4, 1998. So why is the birthday celebrated on September 27?
Over the years, the company shifted the date to September 27, possibly to mark an important indexing milestone in its history. Today, this date has become the official tradition, even if it’s not the literal incorporation day.
So, when you see “Google’s birthday” every year on September 27, know that it’s more about celebration than exact dates.
The 1998 Logo: A Simple Yet Iconic Start
The doodle on display is a revival of the very first Google wordmark. Back in 1998, the logo was created using basic design tools, yet it carried the same iconic color palette we recognize today.
Key Features of the Original Logo:
- Classic Colors: Blue, red, yellow, and green were already part of Google’s brand identity, even in the rougher design.
- The Green “L”: The quirky green “L” stood out, breaking from the primary color pattern — a playful touch that hinted at Google’s unconventional spirit.
- Pixelated Feel: The retro, blocky look captured the raw energy of the late ’90s internet era.
Google described the doodle with a short message:
“We’re celebrating by getting nostalgic with our first-ever logo. Search on.”
Why Bring Back the Old Logo?
Reintroducing a vintage design isn’t just about fun — it’s also a powerful branding move.
- Reconnects with Roots: Reminds users of Google’s startup story.
- Shows Brand Continuity: Despite redesigns, the color palette and playful tone have remained intact.
- Elicits Nostalgia: Long-time internet users feel a rush of memories seeing the old logo.
- Highlights Progress: Juxtaposed with today’s AI-powered tools, the old logo shows how far the company has advanced.
From a digital marketing angle, doodles like this also generate buzz, media coverage, and trending search queries around Google’s history.
A Quick Timeline of Google Logos & Doodles
To understand the throwback better, here’s a quick look at how Google’s identity evolved:
- 1998: First colorful logo created by the founders.
- 1999–2015: Graphic designer Ruth Kedar refined the logo into the well-known serif style.
- 2015: Google adopted the flat, sans-serif Product Sans font, aligning with modern digital design.
- Doodles: What began as a quirky “Burning Man” stick figure in 1998 has grown into interactive games and global celebrations on the homepage.
The 2025 doodle is a mix of celebration and storytelling — a nod to the past while embracing the present.
SEO Takeaways: Why This Matters Online
For bloggers, marketers, and content creators, Google’s birthday doodle offers some useful insights:
- Search Trends Spike: Keywords like Google 27th birthday, Google 1998 logo, and Google doodle history attract traffic.
- Evergreen Angle: While the doodle is temporary, the story of branding and logo evolution is timeless.
- Highly Shareable: Nostalgic content gets coverage across tech, design, and pop culture spaces.
- Content Expansion: Creators can connect the doodle with topics like color psychology, logo evolution, and internet history.
Final Thoughts
By showcasing its 1998 logo on its 27th birthday, Google did more than just change its homepage. It told a story — of humble beginnings, design evolution, and 27 years of shaping the internet.
This little doodle reminds us that even the most powerful tech brands started with simple, pixelated ideas. And sometimes, going back to the start is the best way to celebrate how far you’ve come.b