Before Google, the search engine was initially named “Backrub.” Backrub was created by Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 1996 as a research project while they were Ph.D. students at Stanford University. However, the name “Backrub” was eventually changed to “Google” in 1997, inspired by the term “googol,” which refers to the number 1 followed by 100 zeros. The name “Google” was chosen to signify the vast amount of information the search engine was designed to organize and make accessible to users.

The brand strategy behind the name “Google” is centered around several key aspects:

1. Simplicity: The name “Google” is short, easy to remember, and has a playful and friendly tone. It avoids complex or technical terms, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
2. Uniqueness: At the time of its introduction, the name “Google” was distinct and stood out from other search engines or internet companies. It helped create a memorable and recognizable brand identity.
3. Association with Searching: The name “Google” is derived from the term “googol,” which represents an extremely large number. This association conveys the vastness and comprehensive nature of the search engine’s indexing capabilities.
4. Approachability: The use of the name “Google” reflects the company’s mission to make information universally accessible and usable. It evokes a sense of curiosity, exploration, and discovery, encouraging users to explore the internet’s vast resources.
5. Brand Expansion: Over time, the name “Google” has become synonymous with not only the search engine but also a wide range of digital products and services, such as Gmail, Google Maps, Google Docs, and more. The simplicity and recognizability of the name have allowed for easy brand extension and diversification.

Overall, the brand strategy behind the name “Google” revolves around simplicity, uniqueness, association with searching, approachability, and the ability to expand the brand into various domains.