Google Matrix Easter Egg transforms the familiar Google homepage into an immersive digital rain display straight out of the Matrix films. Thousands of glowing green characters cascade down your screen against a black background, creating that iconic code rain effect that has defined cyberpunk aesthetics since 1999. The Google search bar remains visible and fully functional in the centre, so you can search normally while the digital rain flows around you.
The Matrix code rain — also called digital rain — first appeared in the 1999 film The Matrix and instantly became one of cinema’s most recognisable visual effects. Those cascading green characters represent the raw code of the simulated reality that characters navigate throughout the trilogy. The look was inspired by old monochrome computer terminals, but given a futuristic edge that captured the imagination of audiences worldwide. It has since appeared in countless screensavers, wallpapers, games, and digital art projects, becoming a universal symbol of hacker culture and virtual worlds.
This Google-themed tribute was developed by elgooG and launched on April 24, 2023. It uses open-source code to replicate the distinctive falling characters with smooth, realistic animation. The effect runs using WebGL for hardware-accelerated rendering, which keeps the animation fluid on modern browsers. There’s even a 3D version that adds depth to the experience — characters move through layers at different distances, creating the sensation that you’re actually inside the Matrix rather than just watching it.
What makes this Easter egg satisfying is how it transforms something mundane into something cinematic. The contrast between the dark background and bright green text is striking. Characters appear at random and fall at varying speeds, creating natural-looking depth and movement. The whole effect feels meditative — there’s something calming about watching those endless streams of code drift down the screen while you go about your normal searching.
The Easter egg works on most modern browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, with mobile support available though performance varies by device.
How To Experience Google Matrix Easter Egg
Load the page and the effect begins automatically. The standard Google homepage transforms into the Matrix code rain display as soon as it loads.
Watch as green characters cascade down the screen. The falling symbols create vertical streams that move at different speeds, mimicking the iconic visual from the films. The animation runs continuously, reshaping itself as new characters appear and old ones fade away.
Use the search bar normally. Despite the dramatic visual transformation, the Google search functionality remains fully accessible. The search bar sits in the centre of the screen, visible through the falling code. Type your query and search as you normally would.
Enjoy the ambient effect. Unlike interactive Easter eggs, this one requires no input. It’s designed as a visual experience — a way to transform routine browsing into something more atmospheric. Let it run in the background or sit back and watch the code flow.
Try the 3D version for extra immersion. An enhanced version adds depth to the effect, with characters falling at different distances to create a layered, dimensional display. It makes the experience feel more enveloping, like you’re stepping further into the simulation.
The effect works best on updated desktop browsers, but mobile devices can run it too. Performance depends on your device’s graphics capabilities and browser support for WebGL rendering.