Meaning
What does Search Google or Type a URL mean?
Sometimes, when we’re bored while browsing the internet, and we’re in need of something to do, we’ll type Search Google or type a URL into the Google search bar. This semi-transparent prompt usually yields results on Google that are either humorous or somewhat useful. Online, this has become a meme, similar to the Qwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnmmnbvcxzlkjhgfdsapoiuytrewqqazwsxedcrfvtgbyhnujmikolp search trend.
So, what does “Search Google or type a URL” mean? In short, it’s another way to pass the time in your browser when you’re bored. Of course, you can always just use your own imagination to come up with something to do, but sometimes it’s nice to have a semi-pre-made activity to fall back on.
Google homepage pays homage to Travis $keet. Stroke that ????️actus my nathans
Origin
What's the origin of Search Google or Type a URL?
The “Search Google or Type a URL” meme had only become popular in the past few years.
The phrase is thought to have originated from the 2005 search bar of the Google search engine, which had the text “Search Google or Type a URL” in it, serving as instructions for users, to find a website or results.
It started gaining traction among procrastinating students and office workers, who were determined to do anything but their actual tasks, attampting to pass the time in Chrome or another browser.
“Search Google or Type a URL” had already appeared on screenshots in the late 2000s and the early 2010s, the dawn of image macro memes.
Spread & Usage
How did Search Google or Type a URL spread?
The expression didn’t cease to grow To This Day, appearing in a wide array of contexts in the 2010s.
Initially, it was featured on screenshot memes, uploaded to iFunny, 9GAG and Reddit. Over time, it became especially popular on Reddit, propelled by the first Urban Dictionary entry, added on “Search Google or Type a URL” in 2018.
Since then, Reddit subs, as well as various other meme oriented pages regularly feature “Search Google or Type URL” image macros, GIFs and other memes, including photoshop edits and parodies.
External resources
- Custom Search Engine – Pros & Cons of Google search & URL search
- Urban Dictionary – Search Google or type a URL