8.8.4.4 is the secondary address.
8.8.8.8 is so easy to remember that it became the default address for testing connectivity: if ping 8.8.8.8 works but websites don't, DNS is the problem. According to Google's privacy page, temporary logs with the full IP are deleted within 24–48 hours, and some anonymised data is kept longer; Google doesn't filter or redirect results.
Facts
- Address
- 8.8.8.8
- Owner
- Google (AS15169)
On a Mac
Add 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 (IPv6 2001:4860:4860::8888) in System Settings › Network › Details › DNS. It's also the classic address to ping when testing whether the internet works: ping -c 5 8.8.8.8.
Frequently asked questions
What is 8.8.8.8?
Google's public DNS resolver. Using it as your DNS server means Google answers your name lookups.
Is 8.8.8.8 safe?
Yes. It's reliable and doesn't redirect or filter results. Google logs some query data; read its privacy page if that matters to you.
Why do people ping 8.8.8.8?
It's a reliable, easy-to-remember address. A reply shows your internet connection works, independent of DNS.