New Google logo

The old Google logo on the left, with the new Google gradient logo on the right.

Google’s new ‘G’ – a subtle shift with big implications.

As a graphic designer, I’m always keeping an eye on the tiniest design changes, especially when they come from brands as globally visible as Google. This week, Google quietly updated its iconic 'G' logo for the first time in almost a decade. And while to the casual observer it may look like a small tweak, it actually signals something much bigger in the design world.

Gone are the four crisp segments of red, yellow, green, and blue. In their place is a smooth, seamless gradient that softly blends the colours into each other. It’s a transition that echoes the visual language of Google's Gemini brand and aligns more closely with the current wave of generative AI aesthetics. In short, it's a smart move, and a very 2025 one.

This isn’t just about looking good, either. Google has clearly been aiming for a more unified visual identity across its products. And while the full 'Google' wordmark remains untouched (for now), this subtle logo shift is an intentional nudge toward a fresher, more fluid brand ecosystem.

Visually, it ditches the harsh geometry of flat design, a style and embraces a slightly softer, more dynamic look. Some are calling it "Instagram-esque," but I’d argue it’s more refined than that. The blending adds a sense of depth, vibrancy, and modernity, something that, ironically, makes the old "G" look all of a sudden, when compared to it, very dated.

What’s also interesting is how this is rolling out. At the moment, you’ll only see the new gradient logo on the Google app for iOS and some Pixel devices. The web version and other platforms are still using the older design. This staggered reveal feels like a live A/B test at global scale — or perhaps just a careful transition to avoid jarring the brand’s billions of users.

One thing I always stress to clients is that great design is often invisible. A logo tweak like this might not be instantly obvious to everyone, but the overall impression, the feel, is more contemporary. And when a logo update makes its predecessor look a little clunky, you know the designers have done something right.

Of course, this also raises the question: what’s next? Will Google now start rolling out similar updates to its suite of app icons?

For now, though, this small change speaks volumes. It's a reminder that the best branding evolves quietly, confidently – and always with intent.