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Google is hijacking 404 Error Pages

Discussion in 'Google' started by nsusa, Feb 11, 2008.

  1. #1
    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.
     
    nsusa, Feb 11, 2008 IP
    the Patrician likes this.
  2. CanadianEh

    CanadianEh Notable Member

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    #2
    If this is happening I would agree that it intrusive or worst. Possibly "evil".
     
    CanadianEh, Feb 11, 2008 IP
  3. EnsureMedia

    EnsureMedia Banned

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    #3
    wow --- theres two sides to every story but this would sure be a sticky situation.... Bad requests look to be up for grabs.
     
    EnsureMedia, Feb 11, 2008 IP
  4. nsusa

    nsusa Peon

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    #4
    The toolbar also hijacks "mailto" links and redirects away from your website to Gmail. Thanks, Google. :(
     
    nsusa, Feb 11, 2008 IP
  5. paul.martin

    paul.martin Peon

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    #5
    mailto is handled by the toolbar from ancient times. Just disable it if you don't want it
     
    paul.martin, Feb 11, 2008 IP
  6. nsusa

    nsusa Peon

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    #6
    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.
     
    nsusa, Feb 11, 2008 IP
  7. googleminigames.com

    googleminigames.com Banned

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    #7
    well, this sucks for people who have ads ONLY on 404 pages lol,, BTW i hope google doesnt hijack MY beatiful 404 pages
     
    googleminigames.com, Feb 11, 2008 IP
  8. nsusa

    nsusa Peon

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    #8
    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?
     
    nsusa, Feb 11, 2008 IP
  9. CanadianEh

    CanadianEh Notable Member

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    #9
    The Google toolbar does the same as some spyware. :eek:
     
    CanadianEh, Feb 11, 2008 IP
  10. tsc

    tsc Well-Known Member

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    #10
    That's just nuts. I guess when you effectively own the internet, you can do whatever you want.
     
    tsc, Feb 11, 2008 IP
  11. GeekBouteek

    GeekBouteek Peon

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    #11
    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.
     
    GeekBouteek, Feb 11, 2008 IP
  12. levikay

    levikay Active Member

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    #12
    oh man that sucks
    i guess Google is seeing how far they can push their envelop.
     
    levikay, Feb 11, 2008 IP
  13. Possibility

    Possibility Peon

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    #13
    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.
     
    Possibility, Feb 11, 2008 IP
  14. webguru08

    webguru08 Banned

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    #14
    webguru08, Feb 11, 2008 IP
  15. Dreads

    Dreads Well-Known Member

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    #15
    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..
     
    Dreads, Feb 11, 2008 IP
  16. bigrollerdave

    bigrollerdave Well-Known Member

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    #16
    My 404 pages just redirect to the homepage....would it still display the google serach?
     
    bigrollerdave, Feb 11, 2008 IP
  17. googleminigames.com

    googleminigames.com Banned

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    #17
    , My 404 pages Give you a Nice Flash Cartoon (IE ONLY) lol
     
    googleminigames.com, Feb 11, 2008 IP
  18. John.

    John. Active Member

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    #18
    Are you sure it is not an option and is forced?
     
    John., Feb 11, 2008 IP
  19. pharcyded

    pharcyded Peon

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    #19
    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.
     
    pharcyded, Feb 11, 2008 IP
  20. cormac

    cormac Peon

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    #20
    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.
     
    cormac, Feb 11, 2008 IP