Man Buys Google Domain for $12 and Returns It With a Twist!
Imagine stumbling across listed for just $12. Sounds like a scam, right? But for Sanmay Ved, this bizarre moment became reality — and what he did next is truly inspiring.
The Day Google.com Was “For Sale”
On September 29, 2015, Sanmay Ved, a former employee, was browsing the Google Domains platform. Curious, he typed in the iconic “google.com” — and to his complete shock, the site showed the domain as available for purchase.
Not thinking twice, Ved clicked “Add to Cart.” The green check mark appeared, confirming the domain was added to his cart. Still in disbelief, he proceeded with the checkout.
And just like that, Google.com — one of the most visited websites on the planet — was in his possession. He was even charged for it.
Owning Google.com… For a Minute
After completing the purchase, Ved received two official confirmation emails from — something that doesn’t usually happen when buying other domains. Even more proof came when his Google Search Console updated itself to include webmaster messages for Google.com, indicating that ownership had, indeed, transferred to him.
He also began receiving backend notifications tied to websites hosted on Sites — all of which confirmed the impossible: he owned Google.com, if only briefly.
Google Steps In
Of course, this didn’t go unnoticed for long. Soon after, Ved received a cancellation email from it . Since the purchase was made through Domains — It’s own domain registrar — the company quickly revoked the sale and took back ownership of the domain.
Ved, being a self-described “Googler and Xoogler” (former employee), didn’t try to fight it. In fact, he reported the entire incident to Google Security out of good faith. acknowledged the glitch and thanked him for his honesty.
A Reward With a Twist
In return for his ethical actions, offered Ved a cash reward. But he declined to keep it. Instead, he asked the company to donate the money to The Art of Living India Foundation, a nonprofit that runs free schools for underprivileged children across rural India.
In a touching gesture, doubled the donation, helping support education for more than 39,000 children across 404 schools in 18 states. These schools focus not only on academics, but also on nurturing children’s well-being and personal growth.
A Happy Ending With a Message
What started as a surreal internet fluke turned into something powerful. Ved could have exploited the situation, or made headlines trying to sell the domain back. But instead, he chose to do something meaningful — using a rare moment of internet fame to bring about real-world impact.
His story is a perfect mix of humor, tech drama, and heart. And it reminds us that sometimes, even a mistake (or a glitch) can lead to something good — if you’re willing to do the right thing.
