Google’s Homepage Gets an AI Overhaul—And Says Goodbye to “I’m Feeling Lucky”

The search giant bets big on AI Mode as it quietly phases out a nostalgic feature

Google’s homepage is undergoing its most significant redesign in years, and this time, AI is front and center. The company has quietly replaced the iconic “I’m Feeling Lucky” button with a new “AI Mode” option for some users, marking a pivotal shift in how search results are delivered. Launched earlier in May 2025, AI Mode ditches traditional link listings for full-length, AI-generated answers—a move that signals Google’s aggressive pivot toward generative AI as the future of search.

“This isn’t just a cosmetic change—it’s a fundamental rethinking of what search should do,” says a Google insider familiar with the rollout.

The new feature, accessible via google.com/aimode or a button near the search bar, builds on 2024’s AI Overviews but goes further by offering detailed, paragraph-style responses instead of brief snippets. Google confirms the update is part of ongoing experiments and isn’t yet permanent, but the direction is clear: AI is taking over. The change coincides with a subtle but notable logo refresh, the first in a decade, which blends Google’s classic segmented colors into a smooth gradient—visible near the AI Mode section.

The slow demise of “I’m Feeling Lucky”

The phased-out “I’m Feeling Lucky” button, once a quirky hallmark of Google’s early days, had long been fading into irrelevance. By 2007, it was used in just ~1% of searches, as users increasingly relied on direct browser queries or skipped past it to the main results. Its removal underscores a broader trend: nostalgia is no match for utility in the age of AI. “The button was fun, but it didn’t align with how people search today,” admits a Google product manager.

Google’s existential AI race

The update isn’t just about streamlining the homepage—it’s a defensive play. With rivals like Bing, Perplexity, and You.com doubling down on AI-powered search, and ChatGPT threatening to bypass traditional engines altogether, Google faces existential pressure to innovate. The company’s dominance hinges on its ability to transition from a link aggregator to an answer engine. AI Mode is its boldest attempt yet to stay ahead, but the stakes couldn’t be higher. As one analyst puts it: “Google isn’t just fighting for market share anymore. It’s fighting for survival.”

“The ‘I’m Feeling Lucky’ era is over. The question is whether Google can win the AI era,” says a tech industry strategist.

For now, users nostalgic for the old button can still access it via settings—but its days are numbered. As Google’s homepage evolves, one thing is certain: the future of search won’t be about luck. It’ll be about algorithms.