Google is hijacking 404 Error Pages

[nsusa]

The new beta version of the Google Toolbar is hijacking 404 error pages. Just found this out by accident this morning. I do have a valid 404 error page setup on my domain and was negatively surprised to see my 404 error page being replaced by Google. This is a very bad move by Google and I consider it intrusive.

[CanadianEh]

If this is happening I would agree that it intrusive or worst. Possibly "evil".

[EnsureMedia]

wow --- theres two sides to every story but this would sure be a sticky situation.... Bad requests look to be up for grabs.

[nsusa]

The toolbar also hijacks "mailto" links and redirects away from your website to Gmail. Thanks, Google.

[paul.martin]

mailto is handled by the toolbar from ancient times. Just disable it if you don't want it

[nsusa]

Originally Posted by paul.martin

mailto is handled by the toolbar from ancient times. Just disable it if you don't want it

That piece I never had happening before. It's not as worse as the 404 hijack though. That piece is Google stealing my visitors if somebody is mistyping a URL on my website.

[googleminigames.com]

well, this sucks for people who have ads ONLY on 404 pages lol,, BTW i hope google doesnt hijack MY beatiful 404 pages

[nsusa]

The impact is actually much bigger. Look at the screenshot. Google grabs data from the URL that the user typed in. Now look around how often sensitive data is still embedded in URLs. If the user does not pay attention that data is send to Google. Now consider a large corporation with a large Intranet. Do they want their internal data strings send to Google? I doubt it. They will block the toolbar and Google actually loses more than what they might win.

The other thing is that you effectively lose the visitor from your website. When he is gone, he is gone and much more difficult to get back. Google is stealing your visitor and eventually makes money of it - not you. Nice, eh?

[CanadianEh]

The Google toolbar does the same as some spyware.

[tsc]

That's just nuts. I guess when you effectively own the internet, you can do whatever you want.

[GeekBouteek]

It might just be the paranoid in me, but I never trust any sort of toolbars.

And as our URL is a deliberate misspelling, I'd rather the user get a second chance at entering it correctly rather than being brought to google to search for one of our competitors.

[levikay]

oh man that sucks
i guess Google is seeing how far they can push their envelop.

[Possibility]

I do not like this at all. A custom 404 page can be a very useful tool for a webmaster, and to have google hijack it is inconsiderate of them.

[webguru08]

this makes me feel sick! luckily my custom error pages are ok http://www.nowtutorials.com

[Dreads]

noo lol... i get atleast 200-400 uni hits from all my dead links lol (404 to index.php)

Anyhow i think this is some flipping bull.. they should make it an option.. not forced..

[bigrollerdave]

My 404 pages just redirect to the homepage....would it still display the google serach?

[googleminigames.com]

, My 404 pages Give you a Nice Flash Cartoon (IE ONLY) lol

[John.]

Originally Posted by Dreads

noo lol... i get atleast 200-400 uni hits from all my dead links lol (404 to index.php)

Anyhow i think this is some flipping bull.. they should make it an option.. not forced..

Are you sure it is not an option and is forced?

[pharcyded]

hmm...that is pretty shady in my opinion. I love Google and all...as they are really awesome. However, I hate when ANYBODY forces things upon you. Even if you have the option to turn it off, the fact that they have it preset to do that is really crappy. That's why toolbars suck in general. They always load you up with pointless things that you will never need or want. Pay attention to the installation screens and you can weed most of it out...but you will still end up with something stupid no matter what.

[cormac]

Originally Posted by nsusa

I do have a valid 404 error page setup on my domain and was negatively surprised to see my 404 error page being replaced by Google.

Redirecting your 404 to your index is not a valid 404 Error page. You must give a Status-Code 404 for that page or you'll end up screwing with the search engines.