Google Tests Replacing 'I'm Feeling Lucky' with 'AI Mode' on Search Homepage

Google tests replacing 'I'm Feeling Lucky' with 'AI Mode' | TechCrunch

Google is testing a redesign of its Search homepage in which "AI Mode," the experimental AI-powered search feature the company rolled out earlier in May, replaces its longstanding "I'm Feeling Lucky" button under the Search bar. A company spokesperson confirmed to The Verge, which was the first to report the change, that the feature began rolling out to some users in Google's experimental Labs environment. However, it may not launch publicly. The test comes just a week ahead of Google I/O, where the company is expected to announce some major updates to its AI-powered search offerings. Google rarely makes changes to its Search homepage, but may now feel pressure to do so. An Apple executive testified in court last week that Google Searches on Safari declined for the first time last month, attributing the change to the rise of AI tools such as ChatGPT.

Google might replace the 'I'm Feeling Lucky' button with AI Mode

Jess Weatherbed is a news writer focused on creative industries, computing, and internet culture. Jess started her career at TechRadar, covering news and hardware reviews. Some Google Search users are starting to see the platform's AI Mode search engine chatbot in the wild. Several user reports across X and Threads show that Google is testing different locations to display the AI Mode tab -- while some examples show it in the search bar itself, besides the "search by image" button, in others it replaces the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button underneath the search bar. There's also some variation to the appearance of the AI Mode button, with some users seeing a rotating rainbow border when the cursor hovers over it. In another example where AI Mode has replaced "I'm Feeling Lucky," the rainbow border is seemingly the default design, and makes the search-focused AI chatbot button stand out among Google's other offerings. Google said on May 1st that a "small percentage" of people in the US would soon start seeing an AI Mode option in Google Search, but the screenshots of these tests give us some idea of where it may be placed when (or if) it rolls out to the wider public. For now, Google spokesperson Ashley Thompson told The Verge that AI Mode in Search is currently limited to users of Google's experimental Labs environment. "We often test different ways for people to access our helpful features," said Thompson. "This is just one of many experiments." It's not guaranteed that the "I'm Feeling Lucky" option will officially be replaced by AI Mode, but even the knowledge that Google is considering it may upset folks who use the niche feature. The button that takes users directly to the first webpage of any search results has been a fixture of Google's homepage since the search engine launched. This may be Google's way of suggesting that AI Mode's chatbot-like responses to search queries are more efficient than allowing users to bypass the traditional search results page.

Google's 'I'm feeling lucky' button might soon be replaced by AI mode

Since its inception, Google Search has had an "I'm feeling lucky" button alongside the regular search button. Instead of taking you to a page of results for your search, the lucky button takes you straight to the site for the first result. It was a time-saving trick in the days of slower internet, but now it's more of a playful throwback. Also: Google's Gemini 2.5 Pro update makes the AI model even better at coding Over the past several days, users have reported that the lucky button is gone. In its place is a button for AI mode. Instead of taking you to actual search results, AI mode opens a chatbot that gives you information about what you searched for and lets you have a conversation to learn more (given its AI history, though, perhaps a simple rebrand to "I'm feeling unlucky" is more apt). At least one editor at ZDNET has seen AI Mode replace the "I'm feeling lucky" button, as shown in the screenshot above. Earlier this month, Google announced that since users were finding it so helpful, it was expanding AI mode. "In the coming weeks," the company explained, "a small percentage of people in the US will see the AI Mode tab in Search." Google didn't say where this button might appear, but it's clear from user reports that at least one potential option is where the lucky button is now. Also: How Google's AI combats new scam tactics - and how you can stay one step ahead Fortunately, the lucky button is not guaranteed to disappear. Users are also seeing it in a few other locations, including inside the search bar. While both options are about bypassing traditional search, it's hard to imagine that many people actually use the lucky button these days. Still, it's always nice to see it there. While a lot of people are averse to Google's seeming insistence on injecting AI into its products, you have to imagine AI mode will almost certainly see more use. Get the morning's top stories in your inbox each day with our Tech Today newsletter.

Google Tests Swapping 'I'm Feeling Lucky' Button for 'AI Mode'

The 'I'm Feeling Lucky' button bypasses Google search results entirely, so it's experimenting with keeping people on Google.com with easier access to its conversational AI Mode. Google is no longer feeling lucky, at least on its homepage. The search giant expanded access to its AI Mode earlier this month, which provides more conversational AI responses to queries. And as Search Engine Roundtable notes, AI Mode now has a prominent position on Google.com, in some cases replaces the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button. On X, some people spotted the AI Mode button on the right side of the search bar, with the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button still below. At PCMag, we see it replacing the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button on personal accounts with AI Mode activated (above). AI Mode builds on the AI Overviews feature released last year. Instead of providing a snippet, AI Mode comes up with a detailed AI-generated response to search queries on a dedicated results page. To use it, you can type your query and click the dedicated AI Mode button along the top menu or go to google.com/aimode. Its appearance on Google.com "is just one of many experiments," Google tells The Verge. The "I'm Feeling Lucky" button bypasses Google's search results page and takes you directly to a website that Google thinks will answer your question. It's unclear how many people actually use it. These days, many of us just type our queries into the URL menu rather than going to Google.com first. In 2007, Google estimated that only 1% of all searches went through the button. Another notable change is that Google has updated its "G" logo for the first time in 10 years. Instead of placing four colors in four blocks, the new logo that flow into each other. The same pattern has also been observed around the AI Mode button.

Google is testing AI search on its homepage

The artificial intelligence feature is being tested directly beneath the Google search bar beside a "Google Search" button, replacing the "I'm Feeling Lucky" widget. The new feature, though not widely available yet, is being tested in a location where Google rarely makes changes. A company spokesperson confirmed the feature began rolling out to some users over the last week. The spokesperson said the company tests many experiments with its users of "Labs," Google's experimental unit that tests new features for those who opt-in. They added that tested products don't always go on to launch broadly. The latest feature test shows Google is considering using its most valuable real estate to expose users to its AI technology as it continues to be under pressure to compete in generative AI-driven search.

One of Google's most iconic Search features may be getting canned

One of the biggest threats that the rise of AI poses to traditional search engines is reducing the number of clicks the user makes from two to one. Google's longstanding I'm Feeling Lucky button used to be the closest thing the tech giant offered to a one-click solution, but some users are now starting to see a new AI Mode button in its place. As The Verge reports, Google's previously announced plans to test the feature are now starting to materialize for users. Some people enrolled in Google's Labs program are spotting it in different parts of the search interface -- sometimes embedded directly in the search bar, other times replacing the I'm Feeling Lucky button beneath it. One example of AI Mode replacing I'm Feeling Lucky, from X user Glenn Gabe, is shown below. Another X user shared images of the option inside the search bar.

AI Mode might cannibalize I'm Feeling Lucky on the Google homepage

Google Search now lets you debate results like it's a forum, but there's a catch Summary Google may retire 'I'm Feeling Lucky' for an AI Mode button. Users report various in-testing layouts replacing the classic feature with different button appearances and mouse hover behaviors. Google's focus on AI Mode illustrates its constant evolution and development, with the novelty of 'I'm Feeling Lucky' wearing off long ago. With all the important Google news floating around, one potential change is flying somewhat under the radar. A feature present on Google's homepage since before it lived at google.com could soon get the axe, if a new in-testing layout pans out. The I'm Feeling Lucky button, once a testament to Google's precise algorithmic search capabilities, could become AI's latest victim, as some users report the long-running one-shot search function disappearing in favor of an AI Mode button (source: The Verge via 9to5Google). Related The new Google Search widget is a game changer that you should download ASAP A small shortcut with big potential Posts 4 Another sign of Google's clear evolution The times, they are a-changin' Source: Neocities Somewhat a relic of a bygone era, I'm Feeling Lucky hearkens back to when Google was just a search engine and nowhere near the information repository it is today. After entering search terms, the button bypasses the results page and takes you directly to the first result. Clicking the novel button with an empty search box takes you to widely varying, essentially random results, while simply hovering over it causes the button to flip to various moods, such as "I'm feeling hungry." As reports from some US users indicate, the iconic button could be on the chopping block. In its ever-advancing embracing of AI, Google is considering giving AI Mode the venerated homepage real estate where I'm Feeling Lucky has lived for decades. Related Google Search is not what it used to be: Here are my 5 favorite alternatives Try these search engines instead Posts 1 Google is no stranger to A/B testing, and this appears to be A/B/C/D testing, at least. Some users see the AI Mode button directly replacing I'm Feeling Lucky with no fanfare. Others see a colorful border around the new homepage inclusion, which (in some cases) animates when the mouse hovers over. Still more users see an AI Mode shortcut in the search bar itself, with I'm Feeling Lucky remaining unaffected below. The potential death of I'm Feeling Lucky probably wouldn't affect most people's typical Google searches. But it's clearly worth doing right, which explains the multiple approaches currently under testing. Whichever AI Mode implementation Google settles on, it's an interesting development that underscores how far Google and the internet have come over the years. Because Google doesn't change its homepage just for a flash in the pan.

Google tests replacing iconic 'I'm Feeling Lucky' with AI Mode button

As AI continues to be a core focus of its search experience, Google appears to now be testing the replacement of its iconic "I'm Feeling Lucky" button with a new button for its AI Mode. "I'm Feeling Lucky" has been a part of Google Search essentially since its inception. While the "Google Search" button leads to a page with links and other information, "I'm Feeling Lucky" immediately sends users directly to a website related to that search. We often test different ways for people to access our helpful features. This is just one of many experiments. Whether or not Google goes wide on this change remains unclear as, for now, it seems to be merely a test. Still, it'd be a considerable shakeup to a homepage that's been relatively static for decades. Then again, it's not the only change on the Google homepage's horizon. Earlier this week, Google also quietly updated its "G" logo for the first time in a decade with a new gradient design.

Google is testing an 'AI Mode' button in place of 'I'm Feeling Lucky'

The iconic button may about to be replaced by a new AI Mode button as the search giant aims to move away from traditional search results. Several users are now reporting that Google Search has swapped its classic "I'm Feeling Lucky" button for an "AI Mode" button instead. In some cases, the AI Mode button appears to the right of the search bar with the I'm Feeling Lucky button remaining in its usual spot. AI Mode is an experimental feature that offers an AI-generated search experience powered by Google's Gemini 2.0 language model. Google spokesperson Ashley Thompson told The Verge that the search engine's AI Mode is currently only visible to a limited number of users in Google's experimental Labs environment. It's unclear at this point when -- or if -- the redesign could become the new standard for Google Search. You can see some examples of the new design in the tweets below:

Google's AI Mode reportedly replacing iconic 'I'm feeling lucky' button

It might be time to say your goodbyes to the iconic "I'm Feeling Lucky" button below the Google Search bar. In its place will be AI Mode, a feature that's been quietly rolling out to users this week, according to The Verge. It's part of Google's ongoing push to merge its core search engine with Gemini, its flagship AI model. First announced in March, AI Mode started as an experimental opt-in via Google Labs. Earlier this May, it became available to all Labs users. Now it's reportedly breaking out onto the main stage: the Google homepage. Giving AI Mode such prominent real estate suggests Google is accelerating its vision for what search should become. That's bad news if you're nostalgic for the playful nature of "I'm Feeling Lucky," which has appeared on Google's homepage since its launch. The button, which once whisked users to the top search result (or something randomly delightful), is potentially being nudged out for good in favor of something Google sees as far more ambitious. It's worth noting: AI Mode is not the same thing as AI Overviews. The latter summarizes search results using generative AI. AI Mode goes a step further. Instead, it lets Gemini do the searching for you, and then you can dive deeper with follow-up questions. Think of it as Google's version of ChatGPT Search, OpenAI's own attempt to reimagine the search engine as a conversational assistant. Google almost never touches its homepage. But the timing here isn't random. I/O kicks off next week on May 20, and AI will be the star of the show. Meanwhile, last week in court, an Apple executive casually dropped a bombshell: for the first time ever, Google searches on Safari declined last month. That adds a layer of urgency to Google's rollout.

Google sticks an AI button on its search bar as it defends itself against ChatGPT

The search giant is testing a feature that places an "AI Mode" button directly underneath the search bar. It replaces the "I'm feeling lucky" button, which takes users directly to the top search result instead of showing a list of options. A company spokesperson confirmed to TechCrunch that the feature became available for some users over the past week and said it's rolling out for some users of its "Labs" feature, which often tests new products. Not all of them go on to be launched widely. The new feature is Google's latest attempt to keep up in the field of AI. The company has felt the heat from OpenAI's popular ChatGPT tool, with Alphabet investors showing concern that the upstart could steal market share from Google when it comes to search. OpenAI launched a ChatGPT web search feature for some users in October. The tool allows users to ask questions "in a more natural, conversational way," the company said in a blog post at the time. "Go deeper with follow-up questions, and ChatGPT will consider the full context of your chat to get a better answer for you," OpenAI said. The feature rolled out to all users in February. Google raced to build its Gemini AI chatbot after ChatGPT launched in 2022, with the company giving its engineers 100 days to build the tool to avoid falling too far behind. Gemini and ChatGPT have consistently rated among the top-ranked chatbots. Despite that, there is a massive discrepancy in usership between the two tools. Google's Gemini AI has about 35 million daily active users, while ChatGPT has about 160 million, according to an analysis revealed during an antitrust hearing in April. Alphabet has a market cap of $1.95 trillion. Of the $237.9 billion the company generated in ad revenue in 2023, $175.0 billion, or 73.6%, came from Google Search, according to Yahoo Finance.

Google's iconic 'feeling lucky' button is under threat from you-know-what

Google's "I'm Feeling Lucky" button has been a familiar part of its homepage since the launch of the search engine 27 years ago, but the company could be about to ditch it. The web giant is currently testing with select users how to integrate its AI chatbot into its homepage. One option is to replace the "lucky" button with one that reads "AI Mode." Selecting AI Mode leads to a more conversational interaction regarding your search, eliminating the need to sift through a long list of search results. Google announced the feature earlier this month. Recommended Videos Let's just remind ourselves about what the I'm Feeling Lucky button does, as there's a chance that you rarely, if ever, use it. In a nutshell, it bypasses the results on desktop search, taking you directly to the webpage that most closely matches your query. There's not much data on how many people ever hit the "lucky" button, though back in 2007, former Google executive Marissa Mayer estimated that 1% of all Google searches went through it. But with more people searching on mobile (where the button is absent) or performing searches via the address box on desktop, it's likely that even fewer people select the button these days. Google is also considering putting the AI Mode tab at the right end of the search box, which, if fully implemented, would allow the lucky button to live another day. It's not the first time that the lucky button has come under threat. In 2010, the company launched Google Instant, a feature that displayed search results in real time as users typed their queries, with the aim of making searches faster and more intuitive. While the button remained in place, it was covered by the results that cascaded over it as the user typed. Google ditched Instant in 2017, with the 'lucky' button once again clearly visible for everyone. This time, however, the threat seems more serious. Can Google's I'm Feeling Lucky button survive the ever-expanding tentacles of AI? Watch this space.

Google Might Be Removing the 'I'm Feeling Lucky' Button

"I'm Feeling Lucky" has been a core feature of Google Search since the company launched in 1998. Most of us, of course, choose the typical Search experience, scrolling through the various links until we find the URL we're looking for. But when you're feeling confident that your search query has a clear destination, I'm Feeling Lucky can direct you straight there. I admit, I haven't used the button much through all my years of googling. Truth be told, I hardly ever go to google.com -- once browsers integrated Google Search with the address bar, I began searching directly from there. But whenever I do find myself on Google's homepage, it's nice to see I always have the option -- if I am, indeed, feeling lucky. That might not be the case for much longer, however. As reported by The Verge, some Google users are missing the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button. In its place is something else entirely: AI Mode. Google first introduced AI Mode back in March. Don't confuse this for AI Overviews, the AI-generated summary that appears at the top of some Google searches. Instead, AI Mode turns Google Search into a bit of a chatbot, allowing the user to ask multi-part questions in one go. The feature is meant to combine multiple searches into a single, complex query. For example, you could ask AI Mode something like, "when is the best time to book a flight to Hawaii, and what should I pack for the trip?" You then get breakdowns of each question in your query -- "Best Time to Book Flights," "Tips for Booking Flights," "Packing Essentials for Hawaii," with links to sources you can check yourself. If you've ever used an AI chatbot like Gemini or ChatGPT for web search, it's remarkably similar -- down to the warning that "AI responses may include mistakes." AI Mode is not rolling out in full yet (it seems to be available to Google Labs testers first) nor is it replacing I'm Feeling Lucky for all users who see it. On my personal Google Account, for example, I still see I'm Feeling Lucky. AI Mode just happens to be situated on the right-end of the search bar. But the fact that Google is experimenting with swapping the legacy button with yet another AI feature is disappointing. There is some irony in replacing an I'm Feeling Lucky button with AI Mode: If you're relying on AI to do your search, you probably are feeling lucky, as AI systems can either make mistakes or make up facts altogether -- as Google's disastrous AI Overviews rollout proved. In fact, as AI models advance, they're "hallucinating" more than ever, and no one really knows why. Use AI to assist your web searches as you wish -- just understand what you're getting yourself into.

Google is ditching I'm Feeling Lucky for AI Search

Google is testing a new AI Mode search engine chatbot, with some users reporting they have seen it integrated into the search bar or replacing the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button underneath it. The AI Mode tab's placement varies across user reports on X, with some seeing it beside the "search by image" button, while others see it as a replacement for the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button. The appearance of the AI Mode button also differs, with some users seeing a rotating rainbow border when they hover over it. In cases where it replaces "I'm Feeling Lucky," the rainbow border is the default design, making the AI chatbot button stand out. A Google spokesperson, Ashley Thompson, confirmed to The Verge on that a "small percentage" of US users would soon see an AI Mode option in Google Search. Thompson explained that AI Mode in Search is currently limited to users of Google's experimental Labs environment, saying, "We often test different ways for people to access our helpful features. This is just one of many experiments." The potential replacement of "I'm Feeling Lucky" with AI Mode may upset some users, as the button has been a part of Google's homepage since its launch, directing users to the first webpage of search results. What to expect from Google I/O 2025 in a nutshell The introduction of AI Mode suggests that Google is considering a more efficient way for users to get responses to search queries, potentially bypassing the traditional search results page. The feature's rollout to the wider public remains uncertain.

Google Search Could Ditch the 'I'm Feeling Lucky' Button for 'AI Mode'

Google recently rolled out AI Mode in Search to more users in the US Google is said to be testing the placement of an "AI Mode" button on the Search home page. Several netizens found an AI Mode button added in different locations on the page, and posted about it on social media. Based on these screenshots, the Mountain View-based tech giant is experimenting with the placement of the feature when it finally rolls out to a wider user base. In some of the images, the artificial intelligence (AI) Mode button is also found to replace the long-standing "I'm Feeling Lucky" button. First spotted by The Verge, several X (formerly known as Twitter) users posted about seeing a new AI Mode button on the home page of Google Search. Some users noticed the button within the text field next to the Lens icon, while others found that the AI Mode button replaced the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button. Other variations include a rainbow outline surrounding the AI Mode button and a pill-shaped button highlighting the text. It is likely a test conducted by the search giant to see which placement works the best to make users adapt to the new feature. However, it could not be confirmed whether users who were seeing the button were all based in the US or outside. The "I'm Feeling Lucky" button has been part of Google Search's home page since the inception of the search engine. When users add a query, it takes them directly to the top search result, bypassing the standard results page. When no keyword is added, it takes users to the Doodles page. Earlier this month, Google expanded AI Mode to all users in the US who subscribe to the feature in Google Labs, removing the waitlist process. However, the feature is yet to be expanded to users outside the country. Notably, AI Mode was first unveiled by the company in March as a more comprehensive version of AI Overviews that can answer complex queries and show relevant results for a deep dive into the topic.

Google Testing "AI Mode" to Replace "I'm Feeling Lucky" on Search Page

It is still under the early testing phase, but you can try it out via labs.google.com/search/aimode. It is pretty evident that AI is the main focus for Google right now. The company is integrating Gemini and other AI-powered services in all its apps and platforms. This also applies to the Google search page, where they are testing a new "AI Mode", which could replace the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button. This news comes from an X user @AndellDam, who shared a post showcasing the new AI Mode in the search page. As you can see, the search bar now houses a dedicated button for the AI Mode on the right side, next to the Google Lens icon. I couldn't help but notice the position of this button. It is strategically placed at a spot, people are most likely to click after typing out their queries. Its addition to the search bar further emphasizes how much Google wants you to use AI rather than the typical blue links. Meanwhile, another X user, @natzir9, shared a post showcasing how the AI mode will replace the I'm Feeling Lucky button. The AI Mode allows you to ask more open-ended search queries on Google search. It attempts to answer your questions using advanced reasoning with the help of Gemini. For this, it is using the Gemini 2.0 model, and will be tied to search results. This will help it offer more accurate and current information. We spotted the AI Mode tab show up in the Google search results page earlier this month. If you want to get early access to this feature, then head to labs.google.com/search/aimode. Here, toggle on AI Mode if it is available for your Google account. If you get to try it out, then do let us know whether AI Mode offers better results than regular search on Google, or not, in the comments below.