<p>This is an age-old question. Seriously: there's <a href="https://meta.stackexchange.com/q/1576/165581">an MSE thread</a> about this that's five years old. </p>

<p>My two personal favorite explanations: </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>I see it more as a consolation prize. No one looked at your question or answered it, so here's something to hold you over until you get an answer.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>-- <a href="https://meta.stackexchange.com/a/1579/165581">https://meta.stackexchange.com/a/1579/165581</a></p>

<blockquote>
  <p>...it's the the engines way of saying "Sorry, I couldn't get you an answer. Please forgive me :("</p>
</blockquote>

<p>-- <a href="https://meta.stackexchange.com/a/1653/165581">https://meta.stackexchange.com/a/1653/165581</a></p>
