Curiosity killed the cat, but I’m feeling lucky

Posted on December 13, 2009 by Daryl Phillips, CEcD

I have been a loyal Google user for a long time. Their uncluttered search feature is appealing, but I like that they throw in a little fun now and then (like the special event Google letters). I have a confession to make…. today was the first time that I tried the “I’m Feeling Lucky” button. I’m a little shocked that my curiosity just now kicked in. Maybe I don’t usually feel lucky, though I think I am. Anyway, I’m amazed. If you type in a search term, that button takes you directly to the site with the number 1 ranking. If you leave the search term box blank and click on the button, I think it gives you the seconds until 2010 New Year’s Day. Naturally, I was curious and ‘googled’ “google i’m feeling lucky”. I discovered that Wikipedia notes, “according to a study by Tom Chavez of “Rapt”, this feature costs Google $110 million a year as 1% of all searches use this feature and bypass all advertising.” Google has experimented with doing away with the buttons as hitting does the same task with less effort to the user… and, of course, there is that potential $110 million. Which makes me wonder, have they calculated the offsetting cost of being less fun?

About Daryl Phillips, CEcD

I am a professional economic developer. I presently work for communities and companies in developing and implementing workforce and economic development solutions as CEO of Phillips Economic Development Solutions (Phi EDS). Prior to September 2017, I was the economic development professional who served a community team of elected officials, business people, community leaders and dedicated stakeholders for economic development in Cheatham County, Tennessee (pop. 39,880) and its four towns. During my five-year tenure, I served the team as Cheatham County grew over 1,700 jobs, turned around population declines at the start of this decade into healthy population growth, increased tourism expenditures 20.3% and local tax revenue from tourism 25.4%, grew sales tax revenue 36%, focused on developing the local workforce and was recognized by SmartAsset as having the 9th highest Incoming Investment Index of all the 95 counties in Tennessee. I am a member of International Economic Development Council, Southern Economic Development Council, Tennessee Economic Development Council and International Council of Shopping Centers. I have earned the designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) from International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) certification from National Development Council and hold a Master of Business Administration from Tennessee Technological University.
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