Google in 1998 is among the most intriguing hidden Easter eggs at Google. Type in the exact keyword phrase “Google in 1998” in the search box, and you might just get a nostalgic version of this search engine’s interface reminiscent of its early days.
The trip to the past will remind you of the vintage style, the iconic Google! logo, and the design features that will seem alien to the modern search page.
However, there is more to the trick than nostalgia. The vintage interface contains a fascinating story behind the success of this huge company from a Stanford University research project.
How to See Google in 1998 (The Easter Egg)
Getting the Google in 1998 Easter egg is straightforward. There is no software to download or browser plugin you have to install.
Here is how:
- Go to Google.com
- Type “Google in 1998” exactly
- Press the Enter key
If the Easter egg is compatible with your individual browser and location, the results page will change to an old version of Google that resembles the old Google layout from its early years.
This simple Easter egg for Google from 1998 can easily be done, although the particular search term is significant in this case; using another term such as “Google 1998” may not necessarily yield the intended results.
But how would Google appear in 1998? You get a quick and easy answer through this Easter egg that shows you an extremely simplified design of the interface featuring old links, old fonts, and an old-school layout.
It is functional in recent testing, despite the fact that Easter eggs can differ depending on the device, browser, region, and even the current Google Search interface.
What You Actually See
What makes Google in 1998 really interesting is all those little details which add to the feeling of old internet experience.
First of all, this is an iconic “Google!” logo with the trademark exclamation point. Today’s Google looks very flat and minimalistic, but its previous incarnation is more cheerful and playful.
Among the other elements related to the original experience of using Google there were:
- The original Google! logo with an exclamation point
- Stanford Search links
- Linux Search links
- A minimalistic, uncluttered layout
- Light cream-colored background
- “Copyright © 1998 Google Inc.” at footer
- The “I’m feeling lucky” button is one of its kind
Conclusion: Thus, to answer the question “How did Google appear in 1998?” it can be said that Google was minimalistic, elegant & purely search-oriented.
There were no cards, endless menus, personal feeds, or any form of artificial intelligence present. The design aimed at helping people to search the web.
If one asks about Google’s appearance in 1998, one should mention that the minimalistic approach used then is the most notable difference from today’s Google.
Its original identity was based on search and a simple interface, not on numerous products.
Historical coverage of the Easter egg also noted its retro search-result styling and period-specific references to search engines.
Is It Real or a Recreation?
Here is one crucial point that most of the websites forget about: the 1998 Google experience is different from visiting a real archive of a website.
This experience should be considered a recreation.
While an archived copy of the page tries to represent how it looked at a particular point in time, the Google in 1998 easter egg recreates the atmosphere of the original page design within the contemporary environment of the Google Search.
It means that the outdated design and the underlying technology of the website cannot be considered together.
The design may seem old, but Google Search remains working in the present. It becomes important if you conduct research on Google’s history.
One way to make sure of the difference is to conduct a search using the retro-styled Google Search. If you get results that refer to the modern world, then you are obviously not visiting an archived website of 1998.
This is what makes the experience quite fascinating since you are visiting a tribute to the past rather than the actual Google of 1998.
Google in 1998 Not Working?
Sometimes, the Google Easter egg from 1998 is not accessable correct away. This does not automatically imply that anything is wrong with your web browser.
Try the following troubleshooting techniques:
1. Type In the Exact Phrase
When searching, use:
Google in 1998
It’s not enough to use variations like:
- Google 1998
- Old Google homepage
- Google from 1998
As you may see, the trigger phrase plays an important role here. It’s probably one of the most frequent reasons why the Google in 1998 trick doesn’t work.
2. Clear Your Browser’s Cache or Force Reload
Your browser might be showing you an older copy from your cache memory.
For individuals using Windows users, do the following:
Ctrl + F5
If you’re on a Mac, follow the steps below:
Cmd + Shift + R
And try the search one more time.
3. Make Sure That JavaScript is Turned On
Most of the modern features require JavaScript to be turned on. Otherwise, there might be problems with page updates.
4. Disable Browser Extensions
Browser extensions such as Ad Blockers might be causing issues in executing scripts.
One can try looking up Google using a private/incognito mode of browsing.
5. Switch to Another Browser
One can try using browsers like Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari.
It could be that there is an issue with the web browser.
6. Be Aware of the Regional Differences
Some of Google’s Easter eggs may have different behavior depending on the geographical location, device, and Google’s actual implementation of its Search features.
Thus, if a Google Easter egg from 1998 isn’t working for you, it’s because this Easter egg is just temporarily unavailable in your region/your current Search.
Why Google Built This Easter Egg
The Google in 1998 easter egg was unveiled as part of Google’s homage to their history.
Google came up with the vintage experience close to the company’s 15th birthday anniversary in September 2013, giving users a chance to appreciate how much the company and the internet have changed.
Matt Cutts, who was Google’s head of webspam at the time, promoted the Easter egg on Twitter. The early coverage referred to the Easter egg as a nostalgic tribute to Google’s old search results page.
One interesting detail is that the experience focused on recreating the search results page, rather than providing a fully functioning copy of every part of Google’s original website. That gap is one reason third-party old Google recreations became popular over time.
Google’s Early Timeline
15 September 1997: google.com was registered
4 September 1998: Google Inc. was incorporated
27 September: Google later adopted this date for its annual birthday celebrations
Google itself has acknowledged that its exact “birthday” is a little complicated. The incorporation date of the company was September 4, whereas Google celebrates its birthday on September 27.
What Google Was Really Like in 1998
It should be noted that the history of Google in 1998 goes far beyond a mere Easter egg.
Google was founded as a research project initiated by Larry Page and Sergey Brin when they studied at Stanford University.
Prior to being Google, the project had another name – BackRub.
The idea behind it was different from many search engines of the time. Instead of focusing only on how often keywords appeared on a page, Google’s technology looked at links between websites.
This became the foundation of PageRank.
The basic idea was powerful: links could help indicate the importance or relevance of a webpage. A page referenced by many important websites could potentially be more valuable than one with no meaningful connections.
That strategy allowed Google to distinguish itself from its competitors in the search-engine niche.
Another fact associated with the history of Google and well-known in public opinion relates to a garage owned by Susan Wojcicki in Menlo Park and used as the first office premises of the company.
There is one historical fact that is less known in relation to the financing of Google – that is, the financing of the company was provided not only by one famous investor in the world of technologies.
In particular, according to the story, Jeff Bezos invested roughly $250,000 into Google back in 1998, which explains why one often needs to find answers to the question “Who from Amazon founders supported Google in 1998?”
Nevertheless, on the official site of Google, there is an interesting story of how in August 1998, Google managed to receive $100,000 investment from Andy Bechtolsheim, who is a co-founder of Sun Microsystems and has written a check to Larry Page and Sergey Brin.
Therefore, when you are trying to understand what was Google in 1998, the answer is quite simple – it was a revolutionary search engine.
Other Ways to See Old Google
The Google in 1998 Easter egg is fun, but it is not your only option if you want to explore old Google.
Wayback Machine
The Wayback Machine is one of the best places to find genuine archived versions of websites.
Unlike the Easter egg, archived pages are historical snapshots. They can show how websites actually appeared at specific points in time.
This makes the Wayback Machine useful if you want to research the real evolution of old Google.
Web Design Museum
Another important source for learning about the history of web design is the Web Design Museum.
Here one can find samples that illustrate the development of websites, including the development of such popular internet brands.
elgooG
elgooG is a well-known third-party creation of fun Google recreations and experiments.
It might be valuable for those who wish to have more nostalgic experience since Google’s own Google in 1998 easter egg is rather a visual search tribute than a historical website replica.
What is really important here is to know the difference between archiving history and recreation.
Other Google Easter Eggs That Still Work
If you enjoyed the Google in 1998 trick, Google Search has plenty of other surprises worth trying.
Do a Barrel Roll
Search “do a barrel roll”, and the page performs a full rotation.
It remains one of Google’s most famous visual tricks.
Askew
Search “askew” or sometimes “tilt”, and the results page may appear slightly tilted.
It is simple, but that is exactly why it is memorable.
Google Gravity
Google Gravity is a famous physics-style experiment where page elements fall downward.
Availability can depend on whether you’re using Google’s original experience or a third-party recreation.
Zerg Rush
Zerg Rush was one of Google’s classic interactive games, where animated letters attacked search results.
The original experience has changed over time, but recreations remain available.
Atari Breakout
Atari Breakout turned image results into a brick-breaking game.
Like several older Easter eggs, availability may vary because Google sometimes retires or changes Search experiences.
Pac-Man
Google’s Pac-Man experience remains one of the most recognizable interactive Google games.
It was originally created as a Google Doodle celebrating the classic arcade game.
Recursion
Search “recursion”, and Google famously plays with the concept by suggesting recursion again.
That is a perfect joke for programmers and computer science fans.
Google’s available Easter eggs change over time, so it is best to treat these as experiments to try rather than permanent features guaranteed to appear everywhere.
FAQ
Does Google in 1998 Easter Egg work?
Yes, according to tests conducted in 2026 and some other Easter Egg guides, Google in 1998 works. Moreover, this may different from browser to browser, from region to region, from device to device, & even from the Google Search interface used by Google.
Who are the founders of Google in 1998?
Google started in 1998. Larry Page and Sergey Brin founded it. They did the early research that led to the main technology. In September 1998, they also launched Google Inc.
What was the name of Google before 1998?
The BackRub is the name that was given to the project Google before it was renamed as Google. This was the period when the project was analyzing links between webpages.
What Amazon founder invested in Google in 1998?
Some individual Jeff Bezos put cash into Google during an early funding round. In the official Google history notes, Andy Bechtolsheim gave $100,000 in August 1998.
Why does Google not load in 1998 for you?
Try a few basic fixes:
- Search using the exact keyword.
- Clear your browser cache.
- Turn on JavaScript.
- Turn off extensions.
- Open an incognito tab.
- Or try a different browser.
Final Thoughts
The Easter egg of Google in 1998 is more than just an amusing internet prank. The Easter egg serves as a reminder of the past when the Internet was much simpler and how far Google has come from the time of its creation at Stanford University.
If you are interested in the Easter egg of Google in 1998, the history of Google, or simply want to find out how Google looked in 1998, the retro interface provides great insight into internet history.
Do not forget, however, that it is just a recreation, and for getting the real historical experience, you should resort to the archives.
And it just adds some interest to the experience: 1998 interface but modern search technology inside.