October 2001, first @WIRED feature article about @Google, “I’m feeling lucky.” The article focuses on AdWords, which was a pretty massive innovation in its time. Made it the only search engine to turn a profit. (1/2) #wiredarchive 
What’s particularly striking in retrospect is the timing here.
The mid-90s Internet was an “infobahn.”
The late-90s Internet was “portals.”
The early 2000s Internet is going to be search. That’s the dominant model and the prevailing metaphor. (2/3)
The mid-90s Internet was an “infobahn.”
The late-90s Internet was “portals.”
The early 2000s Internet is going to be search. That’s the dominant model and the prevailing metaphor. (2/3)
And the Search Internet era takes off in the *immediate aftermath* of the dotcom crash.
Google had been gaining popularity for years, but attention to Google’s business model takes off immediately after the smoke clears.
Google had been gaining popularity for years, but attention to Google’s business model takes off immediately after the smoke clears.
