Google Turns 27: Evolving Beyond Search with AI Power

Google turned 27 years old on September 27, 2025, marking nearly three decades since its start as a research project at Stanford University. Today, it is far more than just a search engine; it is a global technology powerhouse influencing billions of people worldwide. The company celebrated this milestone with a nostalgic doodle featuring its original 1998 logo as a reminder of its humble beginnings and ongoing evolution.

Originally founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google began as a project called BackRub based on the PageRank algorithm, which efficiently ranked web pages. Its foundation date is September 4, 1998, but September 27 was chosen as the official birthday to commemorate a key growth milestone when its search index size dramatically increased.

Over the years, Google has expanded far beyond search. It now operates as part of Alphabet Inc., managing a wide portfolio of services like Gmail, YouTube, Google Maps, Android, and Pixel devices. In 2025, Google remains deeply committed to artificial intelligence (AI), integrating advanced AI features into nearly all its products. Notable AI innovations include the Gemini platform, which powers smarter search, digital assistants, and new device capabilities such as mixed-reality eyewear. These developments underline Google’s mission to make information and technology more accessible and useful.

Google’s growth from a university project to a $3 trillion market valuation company shows the scale of its transformation. It has influenced digital lives on multiple fronts, shaping how people work, communicate, shop, and entertain themselves. This journey also reflects broader trends in technology where AI and data continue to shape the future of digital services.

From a neutral perspective, while Google’s rise benefits users with powerful tools and innovations, it also raises ongoing discussions about data privacy, market dominance, and the impact of such a giant on competition and user choice. Nonetheless, Google's continuous innovation remains a landmark example of technology development in the 21st century.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies