Google Toolbar Update Causing Errors
Reports at SEO Chat and ThreadWatch say that the new update for the Google Toolbar, which is automatically installed, can cause errors when trying to use the Google cache, and that its AutoLink feature erroneously changes existing links.
Hey have any of you guys noticed that when you use the toolbar to view a cached page, that it takes forever, and sometimes freezes your browser?
this has only been happening to me as of late when google’s toolbar automatically updated (which is BS in my opinion anyway)…
It really sucks… I have stopped using it significantly as well…. I’m starting to go right to the serps and check from there if there is a cached link….. No delay when you do it that way so I do believe it is something about pulling data from the toolbar which is user specific….
After the last involuntary autoupdate that upgraded my toolbar, I noticed that my browser freezes everytime I try and view a cached copy of a page. It will even freeze when I go directly to google and type in the cache: command. Has anyone else noticed this? There is a discussion here about it. It’s kind of erie as it appears google is collecting some sort of user data…
Clasione chimes in “this has been a big issue with me since I started using the new version… The only thing I can guess is that Google must be collecting massive data from the users PC in the event of a cache being checked from the toolbar.” Besides the problem with the cached pages, the subject that is getting the most gripes is how Google toolbar automatically updated with new features without warning. I’m sure this is in the Google Terms and Conditions somewhere, but it does not add to the negative reaction some are already having with the toolbar and Google Autolink.
I’ve been using AOL Explorer as my default browser lately (wow is it excellent software), so I don’t care about browser toolbars anymore. Unless it is crucial for your business to see PageRank, you’re better off uninstalling Google’s toolbar and installing a browser with a search bar of its own. Toolbars are fast becoming redundant, as well as serious privacy concerns.
Yep - i have found this. I has been frustrating me and i was going to rebuild. This post has saved me some headache, so thanks. I have blogged more about it on my website.
Comment by Steven Livingstone | August 11, 2005
> Toolbars are fast becoming redundant, as well as serious privacy concerns.
How so? I’ve actually found quite a bit of value from some toolbars (I’m particularly fond of the A9 toolbar lately), and don’t see a huge privacy issue. Could you elaborate on this claim?
Comment by Adam | August 11, 2005
Frankly, too many spyware apps are using toolbars to spy on users. Beyond that, Google’s and other trusted companies can spy on customers as well. The Google Toolbar used to provide enough of a benefit to outweigh the risks, and Google used to be more trustworthy than it currently is. I can’t justify installing a toolbar on my computer anymore. It provides little benefit, and is quite the danger risk. I would not be averse to turning on security settings to ban toolbars.
Some toolbars are still pretty useful, like A9’s. Still, you are taking a risk.
Comment by Nathan Weinberg | August 11, 2005