Google, the world’s most popular internet search engine which handles over 70 percent of internet requests, is just as well-known for its artsy, fun ‘Google Doodles‘ commemorating special events. But when events are religious, like Easter, Google Doodles are overtly absent. So come on, Google! No Easter Doodle?
There are no Google Doodles for Easter or other religious holidays and events, purposely. Google Doodles are distinctive for their creative way to recognize special world events and people, but according to Google policy, it abstains from highlighting events that are religiously affiliated.
The Google Doodles are themed designed logos that the company uses and posts to honor a significant person or notable date. The page logo is changed almost daily to celebrate these moments, keeping in mind that the ‘doodles’ are also frequently interactive games or videos.
Google Doodles highlight the birthdays of recognized artists, scientists, public figures, and historical dates around the world. However, the company has a policy of “no religious commemorations”, which would include Easter, bringing about some controversy with it.
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Why Did Google Do Nothing for Easter?
Easter is one of the biggest celebrations in Christianity, the world’s largest religion according to Pew Research Center, if not the biggest. It even has an entire week of significance leading up to it called ‘Holy Week’. So why does Google do nothing for Easter, given its monumental importance for so many people around the world?
Google apparently has an official policy not to commemorate religious holidays including Easter, a significant holiday for the world’s largest religion, Christianity. Because of this policy, there are no regular Easter Google Doodles, or doodles celebrating any religiously-connected holidays.
To learn more about Google, check out Google It (on Amazon) about how two Stanford college students started it as a way to ‘organize the internet.’
But this policy hasn’t necessarily always been the case, or followed for that matter, for Google.
The first time that Google celebrated Easter with a Doodle was back in 2000 just two years after the first Google Doodle (source: Wikipedia). It was a very simple design, with two Easter eggs standing in for the double ‘Os’ in the Google name. It didn’t allow another Easter doodle for 18 years.
But in 2019, Google did another Easter Doodle. Fox News even called Google out for this too.
The doodle that Google did for Easter in 2019 was quite limited, as it was only available in desktop form. You could say that it wasn’t a doodle itself since the Google logo wasn’t even modified.
Instead, Google did an interactive home page where people had to click on the “I’m feeling lucky” button. Google changed the word “lucky” for an Easter Egg, and the background would change to a green one filled with chocolate Easter eggs and bunnies. If you clicked on them, Google would give results about Easter customs.
However, Google didn’t archive the interactive theme on the Doodle page, which is somewhat underhanded, in my opinion.
An interactive page like the Easter theme of 2019 hasn’t been applied again since either. But its not as if Google didn’t acknowledge Easter in some way. For 2020, Google placed an ‘Easter egg’ and a “Happy Easter” text between the search buttons on their browser. It wasn’t a doodle, to be clear, and certainly didn’t showcase their trademark interactive videos or a Google game.
The following year Google went silent again on Easter (in 2021). Google didn’t do anything for this special holiday-no hidden eggs, no interactive letters or words, no mentioning of customs.
And it certainly isn’t because Easter is unpopular, unknown, or insignificant. As stated before, Easter is one of, if not the most, important celebrations for the largest religion globally, making up 31% of the people worldwide! So yeah…Come on, Google! Why No Easter Doodle?
I also suggest these articles from Hopeful Holidays:
Does Google Celebrate Religious Holidays?
Over the years, it has become more noticeable how Google never celebrates important religious holidays. This topic is controversial since so many people worldwide are religious.
In 2018, Google made a statement explaining their official rule that it won’t post religious doodles. Yet, controversy ensued since Google made a few exceptions such as with Holi and Tu B’Av. To avoid confusion, Google Doodles should be consistent.
People have complained about Google’s decision since the company has occasionally made exceptions (without clarity) with Doodles connected to some religious holidays, notably not Christian either.
For example, Google added a special ‘Holi Doodle’ of interactive colors, in honor of the Indian religion of Hinduism.
As well, Google provided a doodle for Tu B’Av, a minor Jewish holiday, celebrating love and ‘the coming Messiah’…certainly religiously affiliated.
Is There A Way To Do A Non-Religious Easter Google Doodle?
Since Google has a policy against observing religious holidays/celebrations, is it possible to have a Google Doodle for Easter (or Christmas or other)? Well, yes, it is- and they’ve already demonstrated it!
The Easter doodles already part of ‘Google Doodle history’ are actually non-religious creations. These doodles featured colorful Easter eggs and text saying, Happy Easter. These alone aren’t religious or Christian at all.
The Christian/Catholic observance of Easter is about the resurrection of Jesus Christ, foundational to the faith. There is a week of observances leading up to Easter Sunday called Holy Week, too, including Good Friday where Catholics are obligated to ‘fast and abstain’ as in mourning for the crucifixion prior to the resurrection.
The cultural inclusion of Easter eggs, baskets, candy, and the Easter bunny have no real connection to Easter other than being fun, festive features. People who aren’t Christians still often celebrate Easter with these additions and simply skip over the religious meaning of the holiday.
So Google could easily continue observing Easter in the manner they’ve already done and still keep with their policy.
Do Christians Want A Non-Religious Easter Google Doodle?
There’s no doubt that Christians would prefer a religious Easter Doodle. After all, Easter is first and foremost an important religious celebration and integral to Christianity and Catholicism.
That being said, the few attempts at Easter Doodles were welcomed by Christians and non-Christians who also observe Easter. So, yes, a doodle featuring the Easter Bunny or colorful eggs and a basket would be liked and well-received, too!
With over 30 percent of the world population part of the Christian faith, plus those who celebrate Easter ‘non-religiously’, it makes 100 percent sense for Google to include Easter Doodles in the future.
Come on, Google! Include an Easter Doodle!
What Is the Purpose of Google Doodle?
Google Doodles are interactive home and search pages commemorating special holidays and important figures. Google uses these interactive themes to honor important dates all over the world. Thus, the main purpose of Google Doodles is to praise special dates all over the world in a fun, engaging way.
The first Google Doodle was launched in 1998 to celebrate American Thanksgiving. Since that date, Google has created doodles to celebrate every year. Holidays like Valentine’s Day, Lunar Year, International Women’s Day, Christmas Day, Halloween, and many other important international holidays have their own ‘Doodle’ every year since.
Google Doodles started as just a logo alteration, but have since, improved over the years. Most doodles are now interactive and have games and videos embedded, making it not just a learning experience but also very engaging for the user.
All Doodles are hyperlinked to search about the special date Google is commemorating, so people can know more about it.
Google also supports young and unknown talent with their Doodle Project. Google launched a competition named Doodle 4 Google where participants can compete to have their doodle ‘win’ and then they receive a scholarship. So far there have been over 54 winners!
It’s an opportunity for children between kindergarten and twelfth grade to create a drawing based on a celebrated topic. The first competitive event was in 2008, and today it includes competitors in the US, the United Kingdom, India, and many European countries.
What Is the Most Popular Google Doodle Ever?
It is really impossible to decide which is the best Google Doodle ever since something artsy like this is subjective, even under the most standardized criteria. Yet there are many epic Doodles that people have loved and still remember fondly, from doodles celebrating traditional holidays to those resembling iconic figures.
Google doodlers have created amazing interactive drawings to commemorate special holidays, people, and events. From celebrating the Beatles to honoring video games, iconic Google Doodles are the ones that stick with us long after the day has passed.
Listed below are some of the more memorable (though debatable) and iconic Doodles that come to mind for most people, and I must agree.
Robert Moog’s 78th Birthday Google Doodle – This doodle allows users to create their own electronic music on the home page. Who’s Robert Moog and why did he even get his own doodle? He is the inventor of the electronic synthesizer which has certainly made its mark on music since!
Charlie Chaplin’s 122nd Birthday (April 16th, 2011) Doodle– Google’s doodle for Chaplin paid tribute to him by creating their first live-action doodle, essentially feeling like the silent films Chaplin was/is known for!
Pac-Man 30th Anniversary Google Doodle- Everybody has played Pac-Man at least once in their life. This game is a must in the video games culture, so Google decided to celebrate this date with the Doodle game. The logo turned into a Pac-Man map where users could actually play! This was the first game integrated into Google doodles.
Halloween Google Doodles- Google always find a fun way to celebrate Halloween, yet one of the most iconic doodles for this holiday was the 2012 Halloween Doodle. The doodle was an interactive game where the user could decide among 5 doors to click on. Once clicked, a Google “scary” logo appeared.
Wrapping Up ‘Come On, Google. No Easter Doodle?’
In conclusion, Google Doodles are very popular, innovative and interactive ways for Google-the most used internet search engine (and company)-to acknowledge special events, people, and holidays.
Some other things to remember about Google Doodles…
- Google Doodles change up the logo on the Google search page in a creative, artsy theme.
- There’s also a special Google Doodle Project allowing k-12th grade children to compete with their own theme-related doodle to be selected and posted from time to time. Winners also receive a Google scholarship.
- Despite some exceptions now and then, Google’s official policy is to not recognize or celebrate religiously-tied holidays, people, or events. And thus, one should not expect an Easter Doodle from Google in the future. That is, unless I’ve changed their minds! Come on, Google!
To read next, I recommend these Easter-related articles from Hopeful Holidays:
SOURCES: Daily Mail; BBC
