Is Google Toolbar Hijacking 404 Pages?

I logged in this morning to see a message from Wendy pointing me at this article.

It seems the new version of the Google Toolbar detects a 404 error code and serves up Googles own “helpful” replacement 404 page.

Why is this “helpful” behavior bad? As well as a link to the domain root they provide a prominent search box pre-filled with search terms. The temptation is going to be to hit that search button, effectively taking away your visitor.

How many people are going to be affected by this? Probably a small number. Not sure how many people have the toolbar installed but I don’t think the impact will be huge, the issue is more about Google again putting their own needs before those of the webmaster. Biting the hands that feed them just one more time.

You can see more discussion over at DigitalPoint and other forums. Some webmasters are very upset by this.

From what I understand this is still beta software, perhaps in the final version Google will make this optional or remove the feature if the backlash heat gets too much?

Do you think Google is going too far? Is Google putting their needs above webmasters? Are Google “evil”? Please share your views in the comments …

Posted on February 12, 2008 by Chris Garrett 
Filed Under Google

Comments

82 Responses to “Is Google Toolbar Hijacking 404 Pages?”

  1. New Google Toolbar Beta Hijacks 404 Pages? on February 12th, 2008 2:06 pm

    [...] Chris Garrett, image credit [...]

  2. Google Takes a (404) Page from OpenDNS’s Book| Zoli’s Blog on February 12th, 2008 5:08 pm

    [...] brouhaha this morning over the fact that Google’s Toolbar “hijacks” 404 error pages and displays their own promo instead.  “Google is evil” – [...]

  3. TechCrunch Japanese アーカイブ » 新しいGoogle Toolbar、404ページをハイジャックか？ on February 12th, 2008 6:26 pm

    [...] Chris Garrett 、画像： [...]

  4. Cigar Jack on February 12th, 2008 9:38 pm

    So much for “Don’t be Evil”.

  5. Adam Snider on February 12th, 2008 9:40 pm

    I can see how Google might genuinely think that they’re helping toolbar users by adding this feature. However, it will hurt webmasters. As you say, Chris, the impact will likely be small, but there will still be an impact.

    I don’t think that Google is actually trying to hurt anyone with this move. In fact, they are probably honestly trying to help web users. But, they are indirectly hurting webmasters, without whom, there would be no need for Google in the first place.

  6. Chris Garrett on February 12th, 2008 10:17 pm

    I think they put what is best for them first. What is best for them is usually aligned with the end users needs but not always, eg. monetizing spam with adsense. Webmasters get the sticky end in most cases.

  7. Google Taking Over 404 Error Pages? | BlogOnExpo on February 13th, 2008 2:19 am

    [...] DigitalPoint [Cogniview] [...]

  8. How to Get Top Blogs to Notice You @ chrisg.com on February 13th, 2008 1:51 pm

    [...] I got lucky and was linked to by Duncan at Techcrunch which led to Techmeme taking notice of our Google Hijacking 404 Pages story at the Codswallop [...]

  9. Anthony on February 13th, 2008 5:03 pm

    Here’s an interesting question, does this violate Amazon’s 404 patent

  10. Google Goes Evil!! « Jayant Kumar Gandhi on February 13th, 2008 5:18 pm

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  11. robdogg on February 13th, 2008 9:39 pm

    oh that is a total pisser…

    I don’t think they should have the right to do that

  12. Google, su toolbar modificando errores 404 y su propio mal ejemplo on February 14th, 2008 6:55 pm

    [...] no son nada amigables, pero esto no significa que la barra de Google venga a aprovechar esto para poner su marca en sitios ajenos ante el usuario con este [...]

  13. Google Toolbar hijackt 404 Seiten on February 18th, 2008 5:15 pm

    [...] aus Seoker, cogniview und [...]

  14. Making Money with Your Blog! | Making Money with Your Blog! @ 4uWebCash.com on February 18th, 2008 5:43 pm

    [...] I got lucky and was linked to by Duncan at Techcrunch which led to Techmeme taking notice of our Google Hijacking 404 Pages story at the Codswallop [...]

  15. Sumesh on March 11th, 2008 3:30 pm

    I’m starting to get tired of “Don’t be evil” philosophy of Google. They’re just another corporate now, only smartly wrapping their intentions in these kinds of nice marketing quotes.

    And oh, non-geeks still consider Google as god from what I read outside the non-geeks circle. Sheesh…I hope MS+Yahoo becomes better. Honestly.

  16. Andreas.wpv on March 11th, 2008 6:49 pm

    We developed something similar – but just for on-site usage. Try http://www.tuv.com/de/en/inde .
    Someone hits a 404 , gets a feedback +++ a search result looking for the last term in the url. We get a feedback with the referral page and timestamp as well. Nice one, don’t you think?

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