There is a button on the front page of Google called I’m Feeling Lucky. Since the very beginning, it has been included in the search engine’s interface which gives some fun to regular web-searchers. The “I’m Feeling Lucky” button, min totally foreign to a generation of Google users, sounds arcane — who cares about this silly little search option that was only really relevant during the dark ages of dial-up? Today, we will take a look into the history, main purpose, and some hidden secrets behind Google’s “I’m Feeling Lucky” button.
What’s exactly the use of I am feeling lucky?
Search the internet as you normally would, but Google will know exactly what page you are after and take you straight there, bypassing a list of search results. In other words, it takes you out of the search page and sends you directly to what Google considers is the most relevant to popular websites based on your search. For example, searching Eiffel Tower into the search bar and then clicking I am Feeling Lucky will take you straight to the website or authoritative page.
The story of ‘I am feeling lucky’
The “I’m Feeling Lucky” button has been a part of Google search since day one. Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin have always told us that their goal is to provide search — fast, effective search. We designed the button to demonstrate how accurately Google could pinpoint the most relevant web pages for any given query.
The Prize of I’m Feeling Lucky
Ironically, the “I’m Feeling Lucky” button was once thought to cost Google potential ad revenue. Users who click on “I’m Feeling Lucky” skip the search results page, which is where an ad that funds the site typically appears. By some estimates, the feature is costing Google many millions of dollars each year by reducing the number of ad impressions and clicks—where Google makes most of its money.
But far more significantly, Google is still going that way instead of ditching the button at a cost. The move signals the company aims to keep the game user-friendly and continues with what has been a successful aspect of previous iterations of their interface.
Beastly Features and Secret Power-ups
Over time, Google has added a little twist to the “I’m Feeling Lucky” button, making it more playful and interactive. Hovering over this button without entering search text you will notice the text changes to display other phrases, like screencasts.
I am Confused – Automatically gets you to a puzzle game
Feeling Artistic — An art search on our site.
Another very simple shortcut, typing it will take you to the complete archive of Google Doodles. It is mentored as “I’m Feeling Doodle”.
Put Game-related content or, in other words, fun.
These changes help user engagement by making the feature new and interesting, and broaden content discovery for users beyond standard search queries. The altered behavior of the button is another reminder of Google’s dedication to fun and user delight, taking something as mundane as search and turning it into an opportunity for discovery.
How to Utilize “I am Feeling Lucky”
- Go to the Google homepage.
- Type in a search query to the search bar.
- Click “I’m Feeling Lucky” instead of “Google Search.”
- You are brought to the top ranked page for your search.
If you hover over the button without typing a query, you can see some alternative versions by clicking on the text changing. That’s a fun way to get introduced to something new or unusual.
Conclusion: A Bit of “I am Feeling Lucky”
The “I’m Feeling Lucky”, one way or another, is a tiny knob on the immense Google with a dozen buttons: it occupies but an extraordinary niche of our online existence. From its inception as a chip on the shoulder of Google to its recent interpretation with interactive elements, the button injects an undeniable element of whimsy and surprise into otherwise pedestrian web search.