Natural consequence of 1) google being shit, and 2) "looking something up" and similar phrases automatically meaning the internet. No one is going to assume the library anymore.
I miss the encyclopedia I had growing up. It was huge - like 5 inches thick. It knew everything and never let me down. And there were no ads or cookie banners to click out of.
They went from a great tech shop where engineering excellence was the main driver to a strictly ad business the moment MBAs took over. Story as old as SV capitalism. They did the same to Boeing, HP and many others.
It’s a trademark not copyright. You don’t lose copyright but a trademark can be diluted to meaninglessness. Still would be funny for them to have to say: “Google brand search” like “Kleenex brand tissues”!
yeah, most people just search on their phones and/or using their browser. they usually use whatever the default is and don't question it much.
it's moved off of Google sometimes, and when it hasn't it's not obviously labeled as Google. especially when they use siri or ok Google or any other newer interface for it.
I've started using "search it" or "kagi it" just to avoid using the term google. I can't even remember the last time I used Google on purpose and got useful results.
I think maybe 1-2 people in my entire time of doing it, but now at least the people I talk to regularly in software engineering know.
I know Kagi has its drama, but I can't get past how useful it has been to me. I did get a new home lab server recently so I may start setting up something for SearXNG.
I saw that on some TV show years ago - Microsoft was obviously sponsoring since every laptop and phone had a windows logo on it, and at one point one character said to another "Just Bing it!" (in a context where you'd normally say "just google it")
I usually just say Bing It tbh. It's what my computer starts with, no reason to change it, you know? I miss Internet Explorer and Edge just feels different, Internet Explorer meant Internet kinda like AOL was the Internet for America if that makes sense.