Sunday, February 27, 2005
Google Draws Ire of Web Community with Autolink Feature
Google said the Autolink feature included with its new toolbar is meant to create a richer Web experience and that consumers will have choices of where certain links lead them. And Guardian eCommerce couldn't agree more.
However, Google is already facing mounting criticism for its decision to include the AutoLink feature in the latest version of its popular browser toolbar for Internet Explorer (IE). Google is facing criticism for a feature in the latest version of its browser toolbar that can add hyperlinks to Web pages, potentially giving the search engine giant powerful control over where surfers go on the Internet.
The feature, known as AutoLink, is being criticized by some bloggers, who see the tool being used by Google much in the way that Microsoft tried to do when it first introduced Smart Tags into its office suite. Eventually, Microsoft stopped using Smart Tags to funnel Web traffic when trademark and other concerns were raised.
Similarly, with AutoLink, Google could theoretically boost traffic to sites that were paying it for premium search traffic. For instance, AutoLink pages that contain street addresses are turned into links to Google's map service and the ISBN tracking numbers used by book publishers automatically create a link to Amazon.com. Other links create pathways to Carfax.com and various package shipping services.
Damage potential? We don't think so, as doing so could provide a huge boost to Google's revenues, but based on the early outcry over the feature, it might also damage its public image. Though Google is a dominant Web player, the comparisons to Microsoft are not intended to be complimentary. Any missteps in the public trust realm could send users to competitors such as Yahoo, MSN and Ask Jeeves. Google said the feature is meant to create a richer Web experience and that consumers will have choices of where certain links lead them.
But let's make one thing clear, this move greatly differs from the Smart Tags attempt by Microsoft. For instance, Google's toolbar has to be downloaded by users -- it's not pre-packaged on new PCs like Microsoft's OS. And it only works with IE.
While Google's users have more choices, the technology could easily be duplicated by MSN and Yahoo, creating a situation where users had far less control over where their Web surfing took them.
Jupiter Research analyst Michael Gartenberg noted the uproar over Microsoft's Smart Tags was immediate and vociferous and that so far the Google reaction has been muted. That's in part because the technologies are different, he said.
More information at Guardian eCommerce.
Brought to you by the Guardian eCommerce Safe Site Privacy Seal Program.
However, Google is already facing mounting criticism for its decision to include the AutoLink feature in the latest version of its popular browser toolbar for Internet Explorer (IE). Google is facing criticism for a feature in the latest version of its browser toolbar that can add hyperlinks to Web pages, potentially giving the search engine giant powerful control over where surfers go on the Internet.
The feature, known as AutoLink, is being criticized by some bloggers, who see the tool being used by Google much in the way that Microsoft tried to do when it first introduced Smart Tags into its office suite. Eventually, Microsoft stopped using Smart Tags to funnel Web traffic when trademark and other concerns were raised.
Similarly, with AutoLink, Google could theoretically boost traffic to sites that were paying it for premium search traffic. For instance, AutoLink pages that contain street addresses are turned into links to Google's map service and the ISBN tracking numbers used by book publishers automatically create a link to Amazon.com. Other links create pathways to Carfax.com and various package shipping services.
Damage potential? We don't think so, as doing so could provide a huge boost to Google's revenues, but based on the early outcry over the feature, it might also damage its public image. Though Google is a dominant Web player, the comparisons to Microsoft are not intended to be complimentary. Any missteps in the public trust realm could send users to competitors such as Yahoo, MSN and Ask Jeeves. Google said the feature is meant to create a richer Web experience and that consumers will have choices of where certain links lead them.
But let's make one thing clear, this move greatly differs from the Smart Tags attempt by Microsoft. For instance, Google's toolbar has to be downloaded by users -- it's not pre-packaged on new PCs like Microsoft's OS. And it only works with IE.
While Google's users have more choices, the technology could easily be duplicated by MSN and Yahoo, creating a situation where users had far less control over where their Web surfing took them.
Jupiter Research analyst Michael Gartenberg noted the uproar over Microsoft's Smart Tags was immediate and vociferous and that so far the Google reaction has been muted. That's in part because the technologies are different, he said.
More information at Guardian eCommerce.
Brought to you by the Guardian eCommerce Safe Site Privacy Seal Program.
