Replying to @☭𝕵𝖔𝖍𝖓 𝕲☭ Did you know Google once put the phrase ‘Don’t be evil’ at the very front of its company values? It wasn’t a joke it was part of their 2004 mission statement when they first went public. The idea was simple: stay focused on helping people, even when the company grows.
Fast forward to today, and that original motto has shifted. In 2015, Google reorganized under a new parent company called Alphabet Inc., and the updated guidelines swapped the old phrase for something new: ‘Do the right thing.’ A few years later, the original motto was moved down in the document, tucked away near the end.
The change raised questions inside and outside the tech world. Some people see it as a natural evolution after all, the company expanded far beyond search into phones, video, navigation, AI research, and more. Others view it as a sign of how complicated things become when a team of a few thousand grows into a company of over 180,000 spread across dozens of countries.
This video is just a look at the history behind the slogan change and how a simple three-word phrase became one of the most talked-about parts of tech culture. No drama, no conspiracy just context.
What do you think: does a motto still matter when a company becomes this big?
Google's original motto, 'Don't be evil,' was more than just a catchy phrase; it embodied a commitment to ethical conduct and user-first principles during the company's early days. Founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google sought to differentiate itself by focusing on providing valuable, free services like Gmail and search that prioritized users over advertisers. However, as the company expanded rapidly into new domains such as smartphones, video streaming, navigation, and artificial intelligence, maintaining a singular motto became more complex. In 2015, when Google restructured under the parent company Alphabet Inc., the phrase 'Don't be evil' was replaced with 'Do the right thing.' This subtle but impactful change signaled an evolution in Google’s approach to ethics and responsibility, aiming for a broader guiding principle that could adapt to the company’s vastly diversified operations and increased scale, now boasting over 180,000 employees worldwide. The transition did not go unnoticed, sparking discussions within tech circles and among the public about corporate ethics in the modern era. Some argued it was natural for a tech giant growing from a startup to a global conglomerate to update its values, while others pondered if the shift symbolized a softening of ethical commitments. Importantly, Google’s challenges with privacy, data use, and advertising practices further complicated perceptions of the company's ethical stance. Understanding these motto changes offers insight into the balancing act Google faces: staying true to its foundational values amid relentless growth and technological advancement. While mottos alone don't guarantee ethical behavior, they provide a framework and communicate priorities both internally to employees and externally to users and stakeholders. For anyone interested in corporate culture, the story of Google's motto is a fascinating case of how companies evolve their identities over time to reflect new realities while striving to maintain the essence of their original mission. Whether or not a motto still matters at the scale of Alphabet, the ongoing dialogue about ethics in technology continues to shape how such companies operate and are perceived worldwide.