Wednesday, February 16, 2005

Autolink in Google Toolbar

Gary Price writes about the latest version of Google Toolbar. It includes a feature called Autolink:
    With "AutoLink" enabled, web pages will be "enhanced" with additional links if Google thinks additional information might be helpful. For example, say your browsing a web page with numerous addresses on it. AutoLink will turn each of those addresses into direct links to the Google Maps database.
In addition to addresses, it will also add links for ISBNs (books, mostly), package tracking numbers, and vehicle identification numbers. Gary says, "The commercial possibilities are massive."

Useful, but this one makes me a little squeamish. Google is now modifying the web pages displayed. The modifications are useful, sure, but what does it do to Mapquest to have all addresses everywhere pointing to Google Maps? What does it do to Barnes & Noble if all ISBNs point off to Amazon?

Taking this a step further, what if your web browser rewrote all your web pages? Would you be happy if IE pointed all addresses it recognized off to Encarta Maps?

4 comments:

Gerard McGarry said...

The element of choice is what's important here.

Microsoft do not have the trust of the public, for the software monopolies they hold and for the perceived lack of security in many of their products.

Google, on the other hand are not (currently) charging for these utilities. I prefer the deskbar myself - this doesn't tie me into IE and is always present. Fact is, I chose to install it.

Perhaps Google are moving into monopoly territory, but justly so. Other search engines are following, but Google leads. As long as they continue to innovate!

Greg Linden said...

A lot of good points from many people here. Thanks, everyone.

To clarify my original post, I'm not so concerned about what Google Toolbar currently does with Autolink. It is what may follow that bothers me.

Rewriting pages to add links is a dangerous trend. While Google's current implementation may be fine and dandy, it may also be the first step on a slippery slope.

Anonymous said...

Everyone seems to be up in arms about the new Google Toolbar but I don't think most have even picked it up before putting it down.

Here are the facts :

1. The toolbar has to be installed first before it can do any autolinking.
2. Autolinking is off by default so it has to be turned on after installing the toolbar.
3. The toolbar does not change existing links, only text that is not currently linked.
4. The toolbar has the option of choosing which map service you would like to use; Google Maps, MapQuest or Yahoo! Maps.
5. VIN numbers, although rarely found as plain text, link to CarFax's website and show the vehicle details.
6. Tracking numbers go to the corresponding companies package info page. These are also rarely found as plain text except in emails.
7. ISBN numbers take you to Amazon's website and show the book details. This will make a plain text ISBN a link to Amazon even on Barnes and Noble's website.
8. Its a beta release.

Except for # 7 there is nothing wrong with what the Google Toolbar does. It has to be chosen by the user, turned on and does give options and behaves nicely. Google should give the option to choose which service you want it to use for the VIN and ISBN detailed information. Other than that I don't know what all the fuss is about.

Anonymous said...

Do you really want certain words and phrases to become hotlinks to sites not of your choosing?

no. that still doesn't make it any of my business how people view my web site. "freedom of choice" "boondoggle"? huh? what kind of talk is that? you either have the right to control what people do on their computers or you don't. i say you don't.

everybody, don't get "boondoggled" by the "control freak" talk.