Before Google, I remember guessing relevant-sounding URL's just as often as I remember actually using a search engine. Now if I'm looking for Volkswagen, I don't even try vw.com, volkswagen.com, etc. etc.--I just google "Volkswagen".
And you almost have to out of fear of hitting a dodgy site. I don't think it's as much about "before google" and "after google" as it is about how much the landscape has changed in terms of safe browsing. I remember surfing astalavista.box.sk without a care in the world and now I would never risk it (assuming it even still exists).
