Google is currently experimenting with a new look for its Search homepage, introducing an “AI Mode” feature that takes the place of the iconic “I’m Feeling Lucky” button beneath the search bar. Confirmation has come from company representatives that the update is being tested with select users through Google’s Labs environment, though it is not guaranteed to see a broad launch.
This initiative signals a rare shift for the company’s minimalistic homepage, aligning with the upcoming Google I/O event where significant advancements in AI-powered search are anticipated. The timing is notable, as industry observers are watching Google respond to evolving user behaviors and increased competition from new AI tools.
Adapting to a Changing Search Landscape
Google has maintained a consistent homepage aesthetic for years, yet mounting external pressures are prompting these latest adjustments. Recent courtroom testimony from an Apple executive revealed that Google Searches conducted through Safari fell last month for the first time, a decline attributed to the influence of AI-driven platforms like ChatGPT.
The trial period for Google pilots an updated homepage with AI Mode replacing I’m Feeling Lucky could be a signal of Google’s ongoing commitment to evolving its search experience in response to these trends. What remains to be seen is whether these experimental features will be widely released or remain exclusive to a limited audience. Meanwhile, AI Mode replacing I’m Feeling Lucky, reflecting new search trends suggests a deeper transformation in how users engage with search on the platform.