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11 hidden tricks on the Google homepage that have nothing to do with search

Updated Jan 28th, 2023 8:54PM EST
When pirates search with Google.
Image: Google

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Google Search is how most people navigate the web. We are always searching for something, regardless of the device we’re using, and Google Search is our default search engine most of the time. But Google’s homepage is also home to a few hidden tricks. We’ll highlight a few exciting examples below, which you should try yourself.

We can’t even conceive of the internet without search, whether it’s Google Search or another platform. On that note, there is something smarter that might one day become the only way we search for things online: AI. And Google would probably still be involved in providing smarter results with the help of a ChatGPT-like Search chatbot.

But until that happens, we’ll continue to use browsers on computers and smartphones to search the web. And Google Search lets us have some fun in the process.

Classic Google Search page

If you want to remember how it all started, head to https://archive.google.com/heart/ to experience the classic Google Search page:

Google Search original design.
Google Search original design. Image source: Google

Google Search in 1998

You can achieve the same result if you search for Google in 1998:

Google Search results like it's 1998.
Google Search results like it’s 1998. Image source: Google

Are you feeling lucky?

We all know the I’m Feeling Lucky button, but we rarely use it. Hover over it, and it might change to something else. Press it if you want Google to take you someplace mysterious.

Google Search I'm Feeling Lucky trick.
Google Search I’m Feeling Lucky trick. Image source: Google

Play games in Google Search: Pac-Man and Solitaire

If you want to have fun between tasks, you can search for Pac-Man or Solitaire and play the games right in the browser without having to open a website:

Play Pac-Man in Google Search.
Play Pac-Man in Google Search. Image source: Google

Play a dinosaur game when there’s no internet

You can even play games if there’s no internet. Just cut the Wi-Fi to simulate this, and a dinosaur will appear on the screen. Press the space bar, and it’ll start an endless runner. Use the up arrow to jump to avoid obstacles.

The dinosaur runner game in Google Search when the internet is down.
The dinosaur runner game in Google Search when the internet is down. Image source: Google

The infamous Zerg Rush trick

Gamers familiar with the Zerg rush from Starcraft will love this trick. Search for zerg rush and the red and yellow “o” letters from the word Google will attack your results, killing them one by one. The I’m Feeling Lucky button will activate this hidden trick. Press it once you type the keywords.

The Zerg rush in Google Search.
The Zerg rush in Google Search. Image source: Google

Google Gravity destroys your Search page

Another fun way to destroy the Google Search page involves a gravity trick. Type Google gravity and press the I’m Feeling Lucky. The entire page will collapse on you.

Gravity crumbles Google Search page.
Gravity crumbles the Google Search page. Image source: Google

Quirky Google Search box tricks

You can perform all sorts of Google searches to make the results more fun. You can type things like do a barrel roll, tilt, or askew to watch the magic happen.

This Google Search results page is askew.
This Google Search results page is askew. Image source: Google

Useful Google Search box tools

Other hidden Google Search tricks involve a few useful tools you might actually need. You can tell Google to flip a coin or roll a die, and the Search engine will comply.

Time to flip a coin? Google Search can do it.
Time to flip a coin? Google Search can do it. Image source: Google

Search in Pirate or Klingon

What if you want to search the web in a crazy language? Google Search lets you do that. For example, you can search in Pirate or Klingon.

When pirates search with Google.
When pirates search with Google. Image source: Google

Turn Google Search into a terminal

If you feel the need to turn Google Search into a terminal, search Google Terminal, press I’m Feeling Lucky, and watch something amazing unfold.

Google Search shown in a Terminal design.
Google Search shown in a Terminal design. Image source: Google
Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.