Google's "I'm Feeling Lucky" - why is it still there?

[getxb]

Hello,

Can someone pls shed some lights on why the "Google I am feeling lucky" still there? Does it have a substantial usage percentage? Or is it just a feature that's there because it's there?

Regards

[mack]

I think it must be used, or Google would have removed it by now. I think it was originally just something to set them apart from other search engine. Perhaps its just kept there because it has become an integral part of the Google homepage.

Mack.

[Robert Charlton]

I think that it might have initially been a bit of fun, and over the years it's perhaps become a playful way of bragging about how good Google results are.

It's clearly something we expect to see now. I assume that, from a marketing standpoint, it would be tricky for Google to remove it.

[jimbeetle]

it would be tricky for Google to remove it.

Yeah, it would be noticed. And it basically works as it usually does bring you to a relevant result. Maybe not the best result -- which Google never promised -- but a relevant one, even if it's always Wikipedia for an informational search and a shopping directory for a transactional one.

[wyweb]

I don't use it when I'm seriously searching. I'd prefer to see a number of top results rather than the single result google thinks is most relevant to my query. A lot of what I look for has differing opinions and I like to see them all.

Googles foundation as a search engine was based on providing more relevant results than anyone else. The "I'm Feeling Lucky" button was a way of highlighting this elitism.

It definitely dated now but, as has been said, will probably remain.

[getxb]

The infamous "I feel lucky" is nearly never used. However, in trials it was found that removing it would somehow reduce the Google experience. Users wanted it kept. It was a comfort button." ~ Marissa Mayer (Product Manager for Google)

- Source [alan.blog-city.com]

Google cofounder Sergey Brin told public radio's Marketplace that around one percent of all Google searches go through the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button. Because the button takes users directly to the top search result, Google doesn't get to show search ads on one percent of all its searches. That costs the company around $110 million in annual revenue, according to Rapt's Tom Chavez.

- Source 1 [valleywag.gawker.com] & Source 2 [marketplace.publicradio.org]

This is interesting. So to satisfy the user's appetite, Google is knowingly loosing 110 million per (that too valuated in 2007)!

[wyweb]

Nice catch getxb...

[getxb]

Hey wyweb thanks! I think they are correct (cummon they have to be); just removed the I am feeling lucky button using firebug and thought it was distracting to find something interesting is missing. Also to be noted is Google replaced this button with 'insert coin' recently for their Pacman game [google.com].

Just like their hp logo I think this button is going to play a key role in interesting additions (~promotions) moving forward. Google knows well how to sell, isn't it?

[encyclo]

"I'm Feeling Lucky" should be changed to send the user to the top sponsored link (when available) instead of the organic one. :)

[mack]

change it to "I'm not fussy"

[Sgt_Kickaxe]

Don't change it at all, like ever. People like their things how they are and find it upsetting when things change. People find security in familiarity.

And that's something to keep in mind when you contemplate changes to your websites too.

[anand84]

Considering that the SERPS are pretty fluid and the number 1 spot keeps changing dynamically, I just wonder if clicking 'I' feeling Lucky' would take users predominantly to website where Adsense ads are placed. Maybe Google wouldn't technically be losing $110 million after all.

[getxb]

I guess somewhere there must be some docs available that might prove handy to substantiate your statement anand84. May be, who knows?

[tedster]

If I had to guess, I'd guess that #1 websites are less likely to be running Adsense than the average. This seems even more so now with the emphasis on pushing brands to the top. Brands tend not to want to advertise for other brands ;)

[Brett_Tabke]

I think it is having the opposite effect now. People see it and are reminded how fallible Google can be and you are 'luky' if you get the right answer the first time. All things being equal, Google should be bragging that they get the right answer, the first time - every time, without any luck involved whatsoever.+