Blank Google Referral

What does it mean

[ukgimp]

OK, new one on me. I have had this a couple of times. Pages og Google referals with all the query string. Then the odd time I get a blank one.

[google.ie...]

What does this mean. Am I being a muppet? :)

[coconutz]

Might be from someone using the "I'm feeling lucky" button?

[WebWalla]

Definitely this does happen when using the "lucky" button.

[Symbios]

That could explain 'The Luck of The Irish' (no offence intended to our Irish Colleagues)

[GoogleGuy]

I would guess an I'm Feeling Lucky search as well. I suppose you could always try it out by constructing a search that would return you at #1, and then checking your server log. Let us know what you find out. :)

[webnewton]

u must be feeling lucky ukgimp
;>)

[ukgimp]

Quick test, it was difficult as there were just too many #1 spots to choose from :), but it looks to be down to the

"do you feel lucky...." button

Cheers all

[kaled]

Offtopic

On Clint Eastwood's birthday (31st May) should Google change the button to read "Are you feeling luck, PUNK?".

Kaled.

[g1smd]

If your site is #1 at the time:

It will "make your day".

Go ahead... suggest it to Google.

[GoogleGuy]

Cool. Thanks for checking, ukgimp. Quick-to-run experiments are my favorite. :)

[edit_g]

Can't it just be somebody who was on google.ie and typed in your domain name - wouldn't that just have given you "http://www.google.ie" as a referrer?

Stop me if I'm being thick here...

[g1smd]

No, I believe it would be http://www.google.com/search?q=your.domain.com&....

[GoogleGuy]

edit_g, I believe that typing in a domain directly (as opposed to searching for a domain) wouldn't show a referrer field. I think most browsers only show referrers when you follow a link. I could be wrong though--another quick experiment for someone to do and educate us! :)

[coconutz]

Not sure if it's always true, but typing an URL into the search box or toolbar leaves no referrer.

[ciml]

> I could be wrong though

You're not wrong GoogleGuy, but some browsers do get it wrong sometimes. I don't know what the conditions are, but occasionally the previous URL will be sent when a new URL is typed.

Not a real problem for most people, but irritating nonetheless.

[Leosghost]

It is the " I'm feeling lucky button " ...I've got a #1 which always gives me this one ..tested it myself the first time I used the "I'm feeling lucky" button ..I had no idea what the thing was for ..typed in my own targetted 2 keyword search term and hit the button got ..ME!...Went to look at my stats and there it was ..

Made my day :))

[GoogleGuy]

Good to know, ciml. I guess every person that writes their own browser gets to decide under what conditions to pass on a referer (referrer? I never remember the right way to spell it.). Leosghost, thanks for the confirmation.