In 2015, ex-Google employee Sanmay Ved stumbled upon an astonishing discovery: Google’s own domain, “google.com,” was listed as available for purchase on Google Domains – and for just $12! Out of curiosity, he proceeded with the transaction, and to his surprise, it went through. For a brief moment, Ved held ownership of one of the most valuable domains on the internet, receiving confirmation emails and even access to Google’s internal admin tools.
However, this unexpected ownership was short-lived. Within minutes, Google detected the glitch and quickly revoked Ved’s access, returning the domain to its rightful ownership.
Google’s Generous Reward
Google responded with gratitude, offering Ved a reward. The company initially awarded him $6,006.13 – a number that, upside down, spells “Google.” When Ved chose to donate his reward to charity, Google doubled it to $12,012.26, turning this mishap into a story of generosity on both sides.
Legacy of a $12 Purchase
For many, this quirky story is an entertaining reminder of the complexity of the digital world and the human values behind it. Ved’s decision to act responsibly made a difference, and Google’s generous response set an example for how companies can handle unexpected situations with grace.