Google is quietly testing a major change to its iconic homepage. The company has replaced the long-standing “I’m Feeling Lucky” button with a new option called AI Mode. This experimental feature delivers AI-powered answers instead of traditional search results.
A Google spokesperson confirmed the test, which is currently live in the company’s Labs environment. Although still experimental, this change could signal a much broader shift in how people use Google Search.
The timing of this test is no accident. It arrives just days before Google I/O 2025, where the company is expected to reveal big updates to its AI search tools. Industry insiders believe this move reflects Google’s effort to stay ahead of rising competitors like ChatGPT and Perplexity AI.
AI Mode vs. Traditional Search
Unlike the standard search experience, AI Mode generates direct answers. Instead of offering a list of links, it summarizes the information using a large language model. This could change how billions of users find and consume content online.
For decades, Google’s homepage design has stayed simple and familiar. The “I’m Feeling Lucky” button dates back to 1998. Replacing it with AI Mode shows just how serious Google is about AI-first search.
This shift comes at a crucial moment. An Apple executive recently shared in court that Google searches on Safari dropped last month. The decline was linked to the rise of AI search tools. For Google, that’s a warning sign.
Will AI Mode Go Public?
It’s still unclear if AI Mode will roll out to all users. Like many of Google’s tests, this one may stay in Labs. But the test itself shows that Google is preparing to evolve its core product—possibly faster than expected.
AI Mode might not just be a new button. It could become the gateway to a new kind of internet search—one that prioritizes answers over links, and AI over keywords.
