Google copies icon from Japanese portal goo (maybe not)
You might notice that Google changed their favicon image which you see on your browser addressbar this week.
Here is NTT Resonant’s portal site “goo“’s icon,
goo is one of the biggest portal in Japan, though the gap to the leading Yahoo/Google is big, goo is ranked at 10th among Japanese websites in Alexa traffic.
If you think their name “goo” sounds like a Google’s copy, that’s not possible. “goo” was established in 1997/3 as a Japanese search engine based on Inktomi technology, whilst Google was founded in 1998/9.
So does this mean Google try to steal goo’s popularity in Japan? Of course not. The icon change seems to be applied all over the world. It’s just a designer’s accident but also shows how Google does not care about their local competitors.
Thanks for letting us notice > Tatsuwo
Author Information Akky Akimoto is a one of the first pro-bloggers in Japan [J]. As an individual he writes for Asiajin and his own weblog [J]. He also produces web services including Twitter book recording service IvRead.com and comparison-chart community Narabe.com. Currently traveling in Taiwan. 7 Responses to “Google copies icon from Japanese portal goo (maybe not)”
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Google copies icon from Japanese portal goohttp://asiajin.com/blog/2008/06/03/google-copies-icon-from-japanese-portal-goo/（↑追記）
昔のやつが良いと思�&$s$@$1$I!”$J$s$GJQ$($?$s$@$m!# そ�&$$$($P!”Appleのマ�<%/$b@N$N6色が良かったよ�&$K;W$&!# そもそも6色なのは…と語り始めるとおっさんは長い。 追記: 「Google copies icon from Japanese portal goo (maybe not)」(Asiajin) なんて記事が出てた。笑った。
Ahh. Thanks for the explanation about Google’s new favicon. I thought I must have installed some add-on that caused the change. I personally don’t like the new favicon at the moment. It looks amateur and doesn’t feel Google-like at all. I guess I’ll get used to it.
I wonder if this is the sign of a bigger brand change to come?
Just for interest, do you happen to know where the name ‘Goo’ comes from. I checked Japanese Wikipedia but couldn’t see anything.
NTT group explained the name “goo” came from “g∞”, “g” plus infinite symbol “∞” (I hope you have appropritate font to read).
And the “g” means “the global network”. So in total, it symbolizes “the global network is growing infinitely”.
Interesting. Thanks Akky.
Looks like Google are searching for new favicon ideas (until 20 June) http://www.google.com/faviconideas/
[...] Asiajin – a great Japanese blog written in English and co-founded by Akky. Check out this entry: Google copies icon from Japanese portal goo (maybe not) | Asiajin ] Afterwards we head to a great restaurant, loud and raucous, a type of Japanese “pub” where [...]
[...] Goo is an acronym for “Gateway of Optics” but Masaki said he doesn’t know what this term actually means. He also introduced the company by saying the company’s favicon is not a copy of Google’s. [...]