The Incredible Tale of a Man Who Briefly Owned Google.com for Just $12
In a remarkable twist of fate, a former Google employee briefly became the owner of the infamous Google.com domain for a mere $12. This astonishing story, which sounds almost too good to be true, highlights the unexpected surprises of the digital age and the generosity of one individual.
A Surprising Discovery
In 2015, San May, originally from Gujarat, India, was casually browsing the internet when he stumbled upon the Google.com domain listed as available for purchase. At 1:30 AM Eastern Time, he entered the domain into the search bar and was shocked to see that the option to add it to his cart was visible—a rarity for such a well-known domain. Without hesitation, he seized the opportunity and completed the transaction, hoping that he wouldn't receive an error message indicating a glitch. To his astonishment, his credit card was charged, and he gained access to Google’s webmaster tools.
A Momentary Ownership
San May’s ownership of Google.com, however, was fleeting. Within minutes, the tech giant realized the error and promptly canceled the transaction, restoring ownership of the domain. Despite the brief moment of glory, San May's story did not end there. Google recognized his diligence in reporting the glitch and rewarded him with $6,613, a figure that coincidentally spells out “Google” numerically.
A Generous Gesture
In a heartwarming turn of events, San May chose to donate the entire amount to charity, specifically the Art of Living India Foundation, which provides free education to underprivileged children across India. His selfless act did not go unnoticed; Google was so impressed by his generosity that they decided to double the donation, further amplifying the positive impact of his brief ownership.
Conclusion
This incredible story of San May serves as a reminder of the unexpected opportunities that can arise in the digital landscape, as well as the power of giving back. His minute-long reign over Google.com, while short-lived, transformed into a significant contribution to a noble cause, leaving a lasting legacy beyond the realm of tech mishaps.
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