Last Week Some Random Guy Bought Google.com for $12

Proof that sticking it to the man is still totally possible.

About five times a week I say to myself “I’d be rich if I could go back in time and buy all the popular domain names.” Yes, it’s ridiculous that a) I talk to myself and b) I think about domains so often, but I have a feeling you’ve thought the same thing as well.

Last Week Some Random Guy Bought Google.com for $12

So that’s why I was amazed when I read last Wednesday about a random guy who was able to purchase Google.com for a whopping $12.

Samay Ved, an ex-Googler and current MBA student, wrote a piece on Linkedin documenting how he was able to buy Google.com because of a glitch in Google’s new domain buying service.

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In his article, Ved explained how he bought Google.com and owned it for roughly one minute on September 29 at 1:19 AM. Unfortunately, Google caught the glitch and reverted ownership.

“As soon as I completed purchase, I received two emails [from Google], which is not the norm when you book domains via Google Domains.” Ved said.

“I was hoping I would get an error at sometime saying transaction did not go through, but I was able to complete purchase, and my credit card was actually charged!” Ved wrote.

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Ved even provided screenshots to prove that he had successfully bought Google.com and that Google reached out to him to acknowledge the error. Vice reported that a Google spokesperson is investigating the issue.

Amazingly, Ved explained that he temporarily had access to Google’s Webmaster tools and a few other bits confidential from Google.

Here’s to you Mr. Ved, for pulling a fast one on the man. Score one for the nerds.

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