Google’s 2007 Logo vs. Its Current Design
A focused visual comparison of the Google logo from 2007 and the current wordmark, covering type changes, flat design, legibility and what the redesign means for vector logo work.
Contents
The essential answer
The 2007 Google logo is the wordmark Google used until the company adopted a flatter, more refined version in 2013 before moving to the current sans-serif identity in 2015. In 2007, the logo still followed the long-running classic formula: four colors, a serif-dominant letter structure, and subtle dimensional treatment. The current logo keeps the same four-color sequence but replaces the old letterforms with a cleaner geometric sans-serif and removes the bevel, shadow and highlight effects for a flat vector finish.
What the 2007 version looked like
The 2007 Google logo remained close to the identity the company had used since 1999. It spelled Google in lowercase with blue G, red first o, yellow second o, blue g, green l and red e. The letters had a traditional serif form, most visible in the double-story g and the bracketed terminals, while the overall shape appeared rounded and friendly.
This version was not strictly flat. The letters carried a light bevel and highlight, giving a soft dimensional or glossy look that matched the web aesthetic of the period. A drop shadow also helped separate the wordmark from the white search page background.
How the current design changed
The current Google wordmark uses a custom geometric sans-serif typeface. The letters have consistent stroke weight, open counters and a larger x-height than the older serif forms. The double-story g becomes the clearest point of continuity with the classic logo, but it is now drawn with simpler, more uniform curves and no ornamental serif detail.
The treatment is completely flat. Google removed the bevel, inner highlight and shadow, so the logo renders as clean vector shapes in four solid colors. This makes the wordmark easier to scale, reproduce on screens and adapt to product interfaces, icon sets and marketing materials.
What stayed the same
- Blue G
- Red first o
- Yellow second o
- Blue g
- Green l
- Red e
The color order has not changed even though the letterforms were redrawn. This consistent sequence means designers working with old and new vector assets can align the palette, but they should not assume the letter shapes are interchangeable.
Practical implications for vector work
For vector logo comparison, the main difference is construction, not identity. The 2007 version is heavier with dimension, while the current version is lighter in visual texture and built for flat reproduction. If you are reproducing either mark, trace or source the actual letterforms rather than applying a generic font, because the old serif details and the current custom sans-serif shapes are specific to Google.
A filename such as SVG or a vector file extension does not prove that a logo uses clean vectors or that it is licensed for reuse. Availability of an asset is also separate from permission to use it. For editorial comparison, keep the shapes as they appear; for any reuse, verify licensing through the official brand resource.
Gaps in the available evidence
This comparison is based on observable design features and commonly documented redesign context, but the supplied material does not include dated design memos or named designer credits for the 2007 or current marks. Where Google has not published a precise internal rationale, statements about motivation should be treated as editorial interpretation rather than confirmed brand intent.