Google Space (Floating Google)
👇 Scroll down to start the experience!
Quick Facts
Watch the Google homepage enter zero gravity as every element floats freely — drag them around at will, and you can even complete a search!
Mr.doob,
elgooG
2012-10-15
Active
(Enhanced by elgooG)
Try the Easter Egg
Google’s Official Version
How It Started
Created by developer Mr.doob, “Google Space” is a playful zero-gravity physics demo that showed off what browsers could do. It wasn’t an official Google Easter egg, but it was featured on Google Chrome Experiments. You can still visit the original on Mr.doob’s site and on Google Experiments.
What It Did
The effect simulates weightlessness on a Google search page. The search box, buttons, and links break free and float as if in space. Click and drag anything to send it drifting and bouncing across the screen. The original also used Google’s Web Search API, so you could run real searches while everything floated around.
Impact and Reach
“Google Space” became a well-loved example of interactive, playful web design. Its approachable physics and lively visuals highlighted what modern browsers were capable of, showing how far a simple idea could go.
What’s Enhanced Here
When Google discontinued its Web Search API in 2014, the original lost built-in search. We carefully brought that back by emulating the API. We also added mobile optimizations and a dark theme so the classic experiment feels right at home on today’s devices.
The Enhanced Experience
What’s Different Here
Our version keeps the spirit of the original and adds modern comforts. API emulation restores in-page searching while elements float. Full mobile support makes it smooth on touch screens, and a tidy dark theme offers a comfy viewing option. The result: a more complete, accessible experience for everyone.
The Easter Egg Experience
Step into a zero-gravity playground where the Google interface ignores gravity! Grab and fling the floating pieces and watch them glide. The search bar works as usual — type your query and see results drift into view. Switch between light and dark themes anytime. Enjoy weightless searching on any device!
How to Try It
- Click the button above to launch into space.
- Watch as Google’s elements begin to float freely and weightlessly.
- Click and drag items to interact with them and send them bouncing.
- Use the floating search bar to perform real-time searches.
- Toggle dark mode for a comfortable view in the void.
This restoration goes beyond preservation. By emulating Google’s retired API, we revived a core part of the original experience. Mobile tuning keeps motion smooth on touch devices, and the dark theme adds modern comfort. Together, these updates make the classic experiment easier — and more fun — to use today.
Final Thoughts
“Google Space,” originally by Mr.doob, lives on through this faithful, modernized version. With search restored, full mobile support, and a dark theme, the zero-gravity experience feels fresh again. Float through our other restored web experiments for more physics-defying fun!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Floating Google?
Floating Google is an enhanced version of Mr.doob’s “Google Space” browser experiment, first published in October 2012. It turns a Google-style homepage into a zero-gravity toy where the logo, search box, buttons, and links drift around the screen.
Google Gravity drops the page into a pile, and Underwater Search turns the scene into water. Floating Google follows the zero-gravity branch, where the pieces drift, the search box still works, and new results can float with everything else.
How do I play with Floating Google?
Open the page, wait for the homepage to float loose, then grab anything on screen. You can drag and throw the logo, search box, links, buttons, and results, or run another search to add fresh floating pieces.
Why is this version enhanced?
The old experiment relied on Google’s Web Search API, which retired on September 29, 2014. This website restores the missing in-page search flow, then adds touch support and theme switching so the drift still feels easy on modern screens.