Google Domain Was Once Sold For Just $12 To An Indian Man: Here’s What Happened Next
Sanmay Ved’s Unbelievable Purchase: Owning Google.com
In a remarkable turn of events back in 2015, Sanmay Ved, a former employee of Google hailing from Mandvi, Gujarat, found himself the temporary owner of one of the most famed domains in the world, Google.com. This astonishing occurrence was the result of a simple, yet unexpected discovery on Google Domains, where the domain was momentarily available for purchase. Ved seized the opportunity and bought it for the modest sum of just $12, a move that temporarily granted him access to a plethora of Google’s webmaster tools. However, this ownership was short-lived, as Google quickly realized the oversight and canceled the transaction.
A Reward Turned Into Generosity
Recognizing the unusual incident, Google decided to reward Ved for his discovery, offering him $6,006.13, which humorously spells “Google” numerically. This amount was approximately Rs 4.07 lakh. In a gracious act of kindness, Ved chose to donate the entire reward amount to charity, prompting Google to double the initial amount. The donation went to a charitable foundation that operates 404 free schools across 18 states, providing essential education to over 39,200 children in underprivileged areas.
Global Acknowledgment and Security Awareness
Google also took the opportunity to acknowledge the crucial contributions of researchers worldwide who participate in its security rewards program, highlighting the company’s commitment to enhancing security and rewarding those who assist in identifying vulnerabilities.
Ved’s Account of the Unforeseen Event
Sanmay Ved shared a detailed account of the incident on LinkedIn, offering insights into how he stumbled upon the availability of “google.com” on Google Domains. He recounted that at 1:20 a.m. Eastern Time, while exploring the platform, he unexpectedly discovered the domain listed as available. Contrary to the usual indicators, the option to add the domain to his cart was visible, a rare sight unless a domain is genuinely available for sale.
The Purchase Process
Curiosity piqued, Ved clicked the “add to cart” icon, successfully adding the domain to his cart, confirmed by a reassuring green checkmark. Proceeding to checkout, he was astonished to find that the transaction was indeed processed. “I was hoping I would get an error at some time saying the transaction did not go through, but I was able to complete the purchase, and my credit card was actually charged!” he recalled. This incredible sequence of events, though brief, left a lasting impression and stands as a testament to the unpredictable quirks of the digital world.