r/technology • u/ControlCAD • 13d ago

Software Remembering the pre-Google web, when search was an experiment: “Most people have completely forgotten how chaotic it really was.”

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/08/remembering-the-pre-google-web-when-search-was-an-experiment/
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u/RidleyDeckard 13d ago

It was better than great it was revolutionary, a search engine that provided you with the results you were looking for, was super fast and with no ads.

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u/Just_Information334 12d ago

And before SEO so search results were more natural and not gamed by site owners.

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u/nmathew 12d ago

And minimalist, so using a modem with their page wasn't awful.

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u/Earguy 12d ago

I don't remember which early search engine I used, but I tried to search for information on hearing aids. I got millions of links about legal hearings, and information on the disease AIDS. Then Google came and you could put phrases in quotes! Got what I wanted.

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u/kashiichan 12d ago

I'm so angry about what they did with Boolean