If you go over to the Google Search homepage and hover your cursor over the “I’m Feeling Lucky” button, something pretty cool happens. The button starts spinning like a slot machine before stopping at a random completion of the phrase, “I’m feeling…” Then, you click the button to experience some related corner of the online Google empire.
Select “I’m Feeling Wonderful,” for example, and you’re whisked away to some part of Google’s World Wonders Project, which highlights fascinating cultural sites from around globe. “I’m Feeling Trendy” takes you to the Hot Searches page, which shows the topics and stories that are trending online. “I’m Feeling Stellar” brings up image search results for the Orion Nebula. And so on.
Fair warning, though — you might get hooked and it’s a major temptation for procrastination. But the Doodle-y pastime isn’t just addictive. It’s smart, too. Think about it: What better way to pimp the vast array of services, tools and pure randomness Google offers its online users? I wasn’t super familiar with the World Wonders Project, for example — but may well go back for some enlightening entertainment later.
Google, or course, is no stranger to subtle marketing ploys. It’s Easter Eggs and Doodles have long since captivated nerds and Internet denizens.