The verb "google" is synonymous with Internet search. There is no other word to describe this activity.
Collins English Dictionary, 30 Anniversary Edition defines “google” as a verb meaning “to search for (something on the Internet) using a search engine.” Likewise, Dictionary.com defines “google” as a verb meaning “to search the Internet for information about (a person, topic, etc.). In addition, Google Inc. has been promoting the term “google” as a verb used synonymously with “internet search.” Two examples from YouTube, Google's own website (Google purchased YouTube in 2006) include: "Googling with Bing" - viewed by more than 500,000 users, and “googlemyself30Rock” - viewed by more than 75,000 users (demonstrates the use of “google” as a verb in an excerpt from an episode of the popular NBC program “30 Rock,” in which the characters refer to the common practice of “googling” themselves).
When searching for “google verb” on Bing, Yahoo, AOL and Google's own search engine, the first result is the Wikipedia definition which states that:
“[t]he transitive verb google (also spelled to Google) refers to using the Google search engine to obtain information on the Web. However, it can also be used as a general term for searching the Internet using any search engine, not just Google.”
Wikipedia is the first result when searching “google verb” on search engines of Bing, Yahoo, AOL and Google. Wikipedia has become a reliable source. Not only is it the first result presented in the above search engines, including Google's own search engine, but it is also the sixth most visited site in the world. This serves as an example of the far-reaching understanding that “to google” means “to search on the Internet.”
An ad campaign by Palm stating “go places. google things” also indicates how “google” is commonly used as a verb. In addition, large volumes of google-related domains are currently being offered for sale to the public through GoDaddy. There are well over 1,000 google-related domains for sale through GoDaddy, many of which are categorized as “Premium,” and others with values at or near $80,000.
How many times today have you either said or heard someone saying the verb google? It's in our everyday language, and, like other popular brands before it (eg Asprin), google is now part of our vocabulary.
Please sign this petition if you agree that google is a verb meaning to search the Internet, and NOT solely a term only Google, Inc. has the exclusive rights to use at their discretion.
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The Emperor's New Clothes (google verb)
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