Who doesn't love a contest? If you trawl the web for online contests, then you must have bumped into Google contests. Google competitions are built around special events; some are annual, some are team-based, and some Google contests are just for students.

Some events have already passed us by, and we can only wait for the turn of the dates when the next challenge comes back. Use this list to keep an eye on the next cool Google contest that comes along.

1. Doodle for Google

Doodle for Google contest

Doodle4Google is the most well-known (and loved) of all Google contests. We as adults can't participate because it is meant for K-12 students of US schools.

If you have one in your family, prod him towards this drawing competition. All they need is a bit of creative flair to design the Google homepage logo which transforms into the unique Google Doodle on special occasions.

This year's theme was on friendship and inclusion, titled “Together As One.” The winner walked away with a $30,000 college scholarship and a $50,000 technology award for her school. The contest is closed for the year, but you can be sure that you'll know when the next one comes along.

In the meantime, learn a few fun facts about the Google Doodle.

2. Google Code Jam

Google Code Jam is just one of the annual programming competitions hosted by Google. It is open to coding professionals and student programmers who are asked to solve complex algorithmic challenges in a limited amount of time. You can use any programming language available on the CJ Contest website.

Participants must finish a series of algorithmic puzzles to advance through the rounds. Every Code Jam contestant gets a certificate. The World Finals awards the championship title and a cash prize of $15,000 to the winner.

Use the archive to see previous years' puzzles, their solutions, and how everyone fared.

3. Google Ad Grants Marketing Challenge

Google Ad Grants Marketing Challenge

This one is for the students who have a knack for digital marketing. You have to manage and update a Google AdWords campaign using sound marketing principles. The team competition is a great way to build online advertising skills by working with an actual non-profit.

You must be Google Ads Certified. At the end of the four-week contest, teams get the experience working for an actual non-profit with a social impact. As a team member, you can also use the business, marketing, analytical, and consulting skills to get an edge in the job market.

4. Android Developer Challenge

The Android Developer Challenge combines two concepts: social innovation and the Android mobile platform to come up with functional apps that serve a greater good.

The 2019 Android Developer Challenge announced its winners in 2020. The focus was on helpful innovation that used on-device machine learning. Google hasn't announced the next date yet, but keep an eye out for it. Catch the winners on the Developer Challenge Homepage.

5. Tech Challenge

The Tech Challenge used to be called Google Games earlier. Now, it has a simpler moniker. This global puzzle and coding challenge is for engineering students and those interested in computer science. You must be a currently enrolled freshman, sophomore, or junior (first, second, or third-year undergraduate student) to enter. Contests are held across the year.

The team competition is meant to give students a peek at Google's culture and the skills necessary to become a software engineer at Google. Apart from logical thinking, you have to be creative and collaborative to solve the puzzles on the spot.

The top three teams that solve the most puzzles walk away with cool swag and special mentions from Google.

6. Kickstart

Kickstart Google competiton homepage

Kickstart could be one of the best ways to get hired at Google without a formal degree to your name. You can join as a solo competitor and test your algorithmic skills against the best in the world.

The virtual competition is held throughout the year. You can sign on and join any round anytime. Each Kickstart Round is open to all participants, no pre-qualification needed, so you can try your hand at one or give them all a shot.

Ready yourself to go through three-hour rounds of algorithmic problems. The problems give you an idea about the challenges faced by Google engineers every day. There are no concrete prizes except that Google recruiters can contact you for an interview at the company.

7. Google.org Impact Challenges

Google AI Impact Challenge

Google is at the forefront of AI developments. It also wants to promote it through local and global causes. The Google.org Impact Challenge wants to address many social and environmental problems using artificial intelligence as an aid.

Google says,

We award community-driven nonprofits and social enterprises with support to make their community—and beyond—a better place.

The last challenge awarded 20 selected organizations with coaching from Google’s AI experts and grant funding from a $25 million pool. They also got credits and consulting from Google Cloud. The selected winner also benefitted from a nine-month accelerator program to push their work.

The latest challenge hasn't been announced yet, but you can keep an eye on the homepage.

8. Google Capture The Flag Competition

This Google contest isn't a traditional "capture the flag" event, but a team-based online cybersecurity challenge where you have to crack a series of computer security puzzles. The puzzles involve reverse-engineering, memory corruption, cryptography, and other web technologies.

Solve the puzzles and you get a flag. Move up the leaderboard by capturing more flags. The first stage is online. The top three teams win 13k, 7k, or 3k USD. Also, the top 16 teams will be invited to another contest to compete for additional prizes. There are prizes for the other stages too.

How to Win Google Goodies

It's not so easy. As you noticed, Google's competitions are meant to advance technology and popularize its benefits across the globe.

Google also hosts many local competitions for school students to pique their curiosity like the Web Rangers contest in India. Some, like The Design Challenge, can even net you a college scholarship.

The biggest Google goodie you can win is a job at Google. For that, you can start practicing with the help of other online coding challenges too.