Secondary grain growth in thin Au films on SiO2substrates is reported. Secondary grains have {111} texture which minimizes the surface energy. This indicates that surface energy anisotropy provides selectivity in the driving force for growth of secondary grains. In thin Au films on SiO2, surface‐energy‐driven secondary grain growth occurs at room temperature as soon as a film becomes continuous. This mode of grain growth is, most likely, responsible for the development of the frequently observed {111} deposition texture in thin Au films.