Google Docs is a free online word processor offered by Google. It is part of the Google Docs Editors suite, which includes other productivity tools like Google Sheets, Google Slides, and Google Forms. Google Docs can be accessed through a web browser, mobile app (Android and iOS), and as a desktop application on ChromeOS.
August 2005: Writely Launches
Writely, a web-based word processor and the precursor to Google Docs, was launched in August 2005 by Upstartle.
March 9, 2006: Google Acquires Upstartle
On March 9, 2006, Google acquired Upstartle, the company behind the innovative web-based word processor, Writely.
July 2009: Google Docs Exits Beta
In July 2009, Google announced that Google Docs was out of beta testing, marking a significant step in its development.
March 2010: Google Acquires DocVerse
Google acquired DocVerse, an online document collaboration company, in March 2010, further enhancing Google Docs' collaborative capabilities.
April 2010: DocVerse Integration Released
In April 2010, Google released improvements based on the DocVerse technology, enhancing real-time collaboration within Google Docs.
October 2011: Early Warnings of Potential Threat
As early as October 2011, security researchers had raised concerns about potential threats related to third-party app access and phishing vulnerabilities similar to the May 2017 attack.
June 2012: Google Acquires Quickoffice
Google acquired Quickoffice in June 2012, a move aimed at bolstering its mobile office suite offerings.
October 2012: Google Drive and Google Docs Rebranding
Google Drive products were renamed, and Google Documents became Google Docs in October 2012, simplifying the product naming structure.
2012: Basic Research Tool Introduced
Google Docs introduced a basic research tool in 2012, laying the foundation for the later "Explore" feature.
April 2013: Google Discontinues Cloud Connect
Google Cloud Connect, a plugin for Microsoft Office to synchronize with Google Docs, was discontinued in April 2013, with Google Drive offering superior functionality.
March 2014: Google Docs Introduces Add-ons
In March 2014, Google introduced add-ons for Google Docs, allowing third-party developers to extend the functionality of the platform.
June 2014: "Suggested Edits" Feature Introduced
Google Docs introduced the "Suggested edits" feature in June 2014, allowing collaborators to propose edits without altering the original document directly.
June 2014: Dedicated Google Docs Website and Mobile App Launch
Google launched a dedicated website homepage exclusively for Google Docs files and released dedicated mobile apps for Android and iOS in June 2014, enhancing accessibility and user experience.
2015: Mobile Website Update
The Google Docs mobile website received an update in 2015, featuring a simpler and more unified interface, further optimizing the mobile experience.
September 2016: "Explore" Feature Enhanced With Machine Learning
Google's "Explore" feature in Google Docs was enhanced with machine learning capabilities in September 2016, providing more relevant and context-aware search results.
October 2016: "Action Items" Feature Introduced
Google launched "Action items" in October 2016, enabling users to assign tasks within Google Docs documents and streamline workflow management.
December 2016: Quick Citations Feature Introduced
In December 2016, Google introduced a quick citations feature to Google Docs, leveraging the "Explore" feature to simplify the process of adding footnotes and citations.
December 2016: PC Magazine Reviews Google Docs and Drive Suite
PC Magazine published a review of Google Docs and the Drive software suite in December 2016, highlighting its strengths in collaboration, user interface, and performance while noting areas for improvement compared to desktop-based suites.
May 2017: Google Docs Phishing Attack
In May 2017, a widespread phishing attack exploiting Google Docs sharing functionality impacted users. The attack involved fraudulent emails designed to steal user credentials by granting a fake "Google Docs" app access to their accounts.
October 2017: Google Docs "Terms of Service" Flag Error
In October 2017, a Google Docs server-side update incorrectly flagged numerous documents for violating "Terms of Service". This event highlighted Google's control over user content and their ability to restrict access, raising concerns among users.
February 2019: Grammar Suggestions Introduced
Google Docs expanded its spell check capabilities by introducing grammar suggestions in February 2019, leveraging machine translation to enhance writing accuracy.
January 2022: Text and Image Watermark Feature Introduced
Google added the text watermark feature to Google Docs in January 2022, allowing users to apply text or image watermarks to their documents.
2023: New UI Theme for Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets
In 2023, Google introduced a new user interface (UI) theme for Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets, offering a refreshed look and feel.