Happy birthday, Google. It’s been 13 long years.

It’s hard to believe there was ever a time when you weren’t around.

Ever since I was old enough to use the Internet, Google has been my search engine crutch.

 

 As we celebrate 13 years of dominating the web, trying to imagine how people found their information before we had search engines at our disposal is challenging.

 

 I can count on one hand the amount of times I’ve used a phonebook in the last few years.

 

 I can also guarantee there are very few people who consult a fold-out map instead of Google Maps before stepping out the door

 

 When we need directions, phone numbers, facts, translations, advice and so much more, we rely on Google to point us in the right direction. Gone are the days when the Internet is not relied on for everything.

 

 When people want to find something out, they say I’ll “Google” it. They don’t say, “I’ll look it up on the Internet.” It’s obvious Google has become a daily fixture is many people’s lives.

 

 On a daily basis, it receives about a billion search requests.

 

 If search engines like Google did not exist, those billion inquiries would be directed elsewhere. Where exactly, I’m not quite sure.

 

 So happy birthday and thank you, Google. It’s 9 a.m. and you already made my life easier six times.