Google is one of the most recognizable brands all around the globe, with millions of people using its services every day. While the search giant has been around for more than two decades now, there are some surprising facts that you might not know about Google. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the most unexpected and fascinating things about Google that you probably didn’t know.

1. Google Was Originally Called Backrub

Before Larry Page and Sergey Brin founded Google, they had created a search engine called Backrub. After working on the idea for a while, they decided to change the name to Google, which is a play on the mathematical term “googol,” which represents the number 1 followed by 100 zeros.

2. Google Was Originally Housed in a Garage

When Google was founded in 1998, Larry Page and Sergey Brin housed their new company in a friend’s garage in Silicon Valley. Today, Google is headquartered in Mountain View, California, and has offices in multiple locations around the world.

3. Google Has Its Own Zip Code

Google’s headquarters in Mountain View, California, has its own zip code – 94043. The company has its own postal system, including internal mail delivery and a post office on campus.

4. Google Is Not the Most Visited Website

While it might come as a surprise, Google is not the most visited website in the world. That honor goes to YouTube, which is also owned by Google. Other popular sites that outrank Google include Facebook, Twitter, and Amazon.

5. Google Uses Goats to Mow Its Lawn

Instead of using traditional lawnmowers or landscaping equipment, Google rents a herd of goats to help maintain its expansive campus. Not only is it a sustainable and eco-friendly practice, but it also provides a unique and interesting sight for employees and visitors.

6. Google Has a Dinosaur Named After It

In 2000, a new species of dinosaur was discovered in China, and scientists named it “Dracorex Hogwartsia” after the fictional Hogwarts School and the “Googleplex,” Google’s headquarters.

7. Google Processes Over 40,000 Search Queries Every Second

Since its creation, Google has become the go-to search engine for millions of people worldwide. As a result, Google processes more than 40,000 search queries every second, which amounts to about 1.2 trillion searches per year.

8. Google Was Almost Sold for $1 Million

In 1999, Google’s founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, were considering selling the company for $1 million. Luckily for them, they decided to keep working on it, and today, Google is worth more than $1 trillion.

9. Google’s First Tweet Was in Binary Code

In 2009, Google created its Twitter account and tweeted its first message in binary code, which translates to “I’m feeling lucky.”

10. Google Launched a Search Engine for China Without Censorship

In 2010, Google launched a search engine for the Chinese market called “Google.cn” that was not censored by the government. However, after coming under pressure from the Chinese government, Google ultimately decided to remove the uncensored search engine from China and redirect users to its Hong Kong-based site.