www.MarkTAW.com/technology/GoogleAutolink.html (printable version)

The latest version of Google Toolbar is stirring up some controversy. It seems it's a technology that Microsoft tried a few years ago, but wasn't able to implement without significant backlash. Now that Google's doing it too, there's some backlash too. Let's see what it does.

When you install the Google Toolbar, you have to "Enable advanced features" that might comprimise your privacy. Notice that neither selection is chosen by default, though the first option is Enable.

Once you do, Google Autolink is installed in your browser. When you visit a page, you have to click it to activate it.

An ISBN number will lead you to Amazon.com

Do you think Barnes & Noble might be upset that it's so easy to get to Amazon.com from their site?

Google highlighted the ISBN number for me and took me there. Clicking on my toolbar takes me to Amazon.

It seems Google believes Amazon is the standard repository for all information on books, and so neutral nobody would object to making it one click away from my page.

An address leads you to Google Maps

There's an address on this page? How nice of you to offer to help me find it.

That's right, clicking on a link inside of Mapquest's page now takes me to Google Maps.

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page first created on Friday, February 25, 2005

this site and it's contents copyright Mark Wieczorek