Google’s rebranding campaign and newly designed logo have hit the headlines over recent days, polarizing opinion and provoking controversy. Put simply, some people love it and some people hate it, which are typical responses when the wind of change blows over a familiar and ubiquitous brand such as Google. But there are some other more subtle changes Google has made to its products that go beyond the artifice of design aesthetics , which modify the functionality of its primary service — the search engine.
With thousands of viral videos, Vines, Buzzfeed quizzes, and GIFs, internet users are already spoiled for choice when it comes to indulging in some boredom relief online. Google has decided to enhance the array of existing internet-based distractions at our disposal with the introduction of a new feature called Fun Facts, reports Gizmodo .
If you type/dictate “Fun Facts” or “I’m feeling curious” into Google’s search engine, you will then be greeted with a random snippet of factual knowledge. The purpose of Fun Facts is as the title suggests — to simply have some fun with facts, and in the process perhaps boost your general knowledge or even spark a new interest.
When using Fun Facts, a box will appear containing a given piece of information, and below this box a link will direct you to a web source. The source will provide further context, more in-depth detail, and an opportunity for the user to pursue any curiosity the Fun Fact may have inspired.
Underneath the link is a blue bar that invites the user to ask another question, and they can do so ad infinitum, an option you may choose to take up if you either possess an unquenchable thirst for knowledge or just have some spare time to kill.
The longstanding “I’m Feeling Lucky” button has also been given a revamp. Enhanced by some dynamic text animation, when hovering a mouse over the I’m Feeling Lucky tab it will spin randomly through a list of alternative feelings, like a casino slot machine.
Although this may seem at first entirely random, the list is limited to only eight possibilities, all of which direct you to Google’s roster of internal subsites and initiatives, rather than producing search engine results.
One caveat of the new I’m Feeling Lucky button, as reported by Search Engine Land , is that you must be visiting the particular URL Google.com to access it, and not a regional variation such as Google.co.uk. If you enter Google.com into the address bar and are still redirected, you then need to click on the Use Google.com link in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
Here is a quick guide to what you can expect to find when using the new I’m Feeling Lucky button.
“ I’m Feeling Artistic will take you to the Google Cultural Institute where you can discover exhibits and collections from museums and archives all around the world, exploring cultural treasures in extraordinary detail.
I’m Feeling Puzzled will direct you to A Google A Day, Google’s lateral thinking puzzle game.
I’m Feeling Trendy brings up a list of Google’s latest trending search topics.
I’m Feeling Hungry delivers search results for restaurants in your local area.
I’m Feeling Doodley opens the Google Doodle Blog, and similarly “I’m Feeling Playful” takes you to the Google Doodle archives.
I’m Feeling Generous leads to Google One Today where affiliated charity projects are listed and visitors encouraged to donate money.
I’m Feeling Stellar brings up search results for images of space.
I’m Feeling Wonderful again takes you to the Google Cultural Institute and the subsection entitled World Wonders where you can explore different historical sites and locations around the world using Street View.”
[Image via Google ]
