Can you imagine if Google—the tech colossus we all rely on—had been named something like “BackRub”? I mean, the very thought is bizarre yet fascinating. Before Googling meant anything to us, before it morphed into the verb we can’t live without, the founders almost went with a name that sounds like a dubious massage parlor. So, what’s the story behind this strange, almost laughable original name? Let’s unravel how the biggest search engine in the world almost got a name nobody would’ve taken seriously in any boardroom or marketing meeting.
Why “BackRub” Anyway?
To truly appreciate how goofy and random “BackRub” was, you’ve got to step into the shoes of Larry Page and Sergey Brin around 1996. These two Stanford PhD students weren’t just tinkering with random algorithm ideas; they were pioneering a fundamentally new way to rank web pages based on the number and quality of backlinks pointing to them. Instead of focusing solely on on-page content, they looked at the web as an interconnected graph, where a link to a page from another was like a “vote” of confidence.
BackRub referred directly to how their algorithm evaluated the “back links” to any given site. It was, essentially, a very literal label for their project—checking and analyzing the “back links” or “back rubs” between web pages. It sounds cool in a nerdy sort of way, but also, well, a bit awkward and unprofessional when you say it out loud. Imagine telling your boss, “Yeah, I just used BackRub to find that info” — it doesn’t quite have tech startup swagger, does it?
The Etymology of BackRub: Web’s Oddball Baby Name
“BackRub” was the baby name Larry and Sergey picked because it conveyed a core aspect of their innovation. Backlinks weren’t a hot topic in user-friendly internet news back then. The concept of search was still crawling out of the dusty corners of academia, and these guys were obsessed with deep relevance rather than flashy presentation. It’s funny, because nowadays, every SEO guru worships backlinks like they’re the holy grail. BackRub as a name was this primeval nod to SEO before SEO was a thing.
But the name’s quirky literalness might have hurt the project’s chance to soar in a market that prizes slick branding. Can you imagine venture capitalists getting serious about BackRub? No way. It’s like naming your startup “Widget Maker 3000.” Not exactly a brand that rolls off the tongue or looks good on a business card.
When “Google” Entered The Picture
Enter Sean Anderson, a fellow grad student friend, who suggested the name “googol.” A googol, as many math nerds will happily remind you, is a 1 followed by one hundred zeros. This whimsical number fascinated Larry and Sergey because it echoed the founders’ goal of creating a search engine that could organize immense quantities of data.
There was just one tiny snag—someone misheard or mistyped “googol” as “google” during a brainstorming session. And rather than correcting it, Larry and Sergey liked the altered version. It had a playful, catchy ring to it that BackRub utterly missed.
Maybe it was fate or branding brilliance or just pure luck. “Google” is clean, quirky, and friendly without being too technical or obscure. Plus, it rolls off the tongue and looks punchy in lower case. The name screamed uniqueness, but in a way that was approachable, a perfect fit for a company that wanted the entire world using its product.
Branding Brilliance Vs. Brutal Honesty
“BackRub” could not scale psychologically. Sure, it described the function of their search engine accurately, but it lacked creativity and failed to inspire. You’d struggle to see a BackRub logo on a mug or a sticker on your laptop. There’s a dullness to it, a sort of cold academic tone that sidesteps the fun and imaginative thrill of the internet.
In contrast, “Google” was anything but dull. It felt electric—a new word, a creation, ripe with personality. The name’s quirkiness mirrored the company’s later culture: irreverent, innovative, and willing to take risks. It didn’t just hint at a massive data catalog; it made you smile. And that smile made people want to engage.
Maybe we underestimate how critical names are. They shape perception, attract early adopters, and create a psychological anchor. All great startups share one key trait: a memorable name that’s easy to say and even easier to forget. “Google” nailed that in a way “BackRub” never could.
Would We Love BackRub as a Brand? Nah
Okay, let’s be honest—if Google were still BackRub today, the world would be a very different place. Imagine trying to pitch BackRub to advertisers or users. “Come use BackRub,” you’d say. And the reaction? A confused squint or, worse, a chuckle. It’s the kind of name that doesn’t invoke trust or technological supremacy.
When you think of tech giants, you want names that evoke scale, power, and vision but with a touch of personality. Apple felt fresh and approachable, Facebook sounded friendly (even if the reality was more complicated), and Amazon conjured vastness. BackRub? It conjures a spa service or maybe some weird, outdated desktop app nobody uses. Not exactly the brand legacy you’d want.
BackRub really is a lesson in how naming isn’t just about accuracy — it’s about emotion, identity, and potential. That missed chance almost redefines the art of naming. It also reminds us how randomness plays a huge role in success. A happy accident or a slip of the tongue birthed the biggest brand in search, all while BackRub faded into tech folklore.
Fun Fact: The Domain Game
BackRub.com was acquired by Google but eventually redirected. Can you imagine if Google had to buy BackRub.com instead of Google.com? Domain names are ridiculously important in branding and user experience, especially in the early days of the internet. “Google.com” looks snappy, professional, and modern. “BackRub.com” definitely sounds like a startup with an identity crisis.
Would people have shared URLs like “Hey, check this out at BackRub.com” and actually felt cool? Somehow, I doubt it. The internet has a weird way of rewarding catchy names with viral power. And Google’s name was destined for that viral crown.
Why This Story Matters Even Now
Understanding this odd origin story gives us insight into the wild, unpredictable nature of startup culture and innovation. Two brilliant minds can create an algorithm poised to change the world, but it takes a tiny, seemingly insignificant decision to launch their vision into the stratosphere: the right name.
Startup founders often spend months, sometimes years, agonizing over names, logos, domain names, and brand identities. The pressure is enormous because these decisions shape how people experience the product before even using it. Google’s story shows that sometimes the right name comes from the universe’s happy accidents rather than perfect formulae.
Also, it reminds us not to be too obsessed with function when branding. Journey, emotion, personality—these matter far more to users than dry literals. BackRub was accurate, but Google is iconic. And as users, we connect better with stories and names that spark curiosity, joy, or wonder.
What If BackRub Made a Comeback?
I can’t help but wonder—what if the founders had stuck with BackRub and tried to force it into relevance? Could it have worked? Stranger things have happened in tech.
Perhaps if BackRub evolved into a multi-faceted tech brand and invested heavily in rebranding, people might have grown accustomed to it. Or it might have pivoted into a different domain, say an AI-driven wellness app ironically capitalizing on its name.
Or what if Google had kept it as an internal project name only? We might have never known about the curious joke tucked in the early days of Silicon Valley’s most famous search engine.
BackRub: A Quirky Artifact of Internet History
BackRub survives in tech trivia and business school case studies but never in everyday speech. That, I think, is for the best. It’s a snapshot of a time when the internet was chaotic, raw, and full of endless possibility. It represents the humble beginnings of a tech giant before marketing genius and cultural zeitgeist turned a name into one of the most beloved digital brands on Earth.
The next time you Google anything, spare a thought for BackRub—the almost forgotten experiment whose name makes us smile and shake our heads. It’s a reminder that behind every giant unicorn lies a messy, unpredictable story. And sometimes, all it takes is a quirky name to make or break the biggest thing you’ve ever built.
So, back rub or Google? I know which one I’d rather have powering my searches—and which one I’d rather avoid on a t-shirt!
