Since I am getting quite some feedback on my posting about Google hijacking 404 error pages, here is a quick update. Some visitors pointed out that if a 404 error page is in place Google will not take over the 404 response. That is only partial true. On my example website I do have a custom 404 page in place and Google is still using its powers to overturn what I am presenting. My 404 page uses a meta refresh to send the visitors to the home page. I also verified this on another website and the same thing happened. Not sure what exactly triggers this, but I do find it intrusive if Google ignores my 404 error page – even if that is only a meta refresh to my home page.
Another concern of mine is on the privacy side of things. Google grabs the information from the URL and pre-populates the search field with that information. If the search is submitted that data makes it to Google. What if that URL contains sensitive data? Think Intranet in large corporations. The information is strictly for internal use, but not for the outside. This will force corporations to rethink if they want to allow the Google toolbar or not. Not sure if that is the intention on Google’s side?!
Overall I can see what Google is trying to do, but I think this is going beyond helping to make the web a better place. I mean where does it stop?
Matt Cutts pointed out that this was announced months ago at Google, but not everyone has the time to read every single Google announcement on their blogs. I have to say I missed it and it seems like many others did as well. Anyway – thanks for responding, Matt – I appreciate it that Google is not quietly sitting there just watching and ignoring webmaster concerns.
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Your privacy concerns are a red herring.
A user has to voluntarily click on the search button. Large corporations can control what software is installed and how that software interacts with the internet. URLs should not contain sensitive information in the first place – at the very least they should be encrypted.
Your 404 page is less than 512 bytes. Make it larger than 512 bytes and all will be okay.
Hmm, maybe fourth time lucky (having trouble with the captcha not letting me post even though I’ve checked the numbers several times). There are two potential answers to each one as there are no brackets
It’s really funny how this has suddenly starting getting attention, maybe it’s because people are actually using it and seeing the results. I blogged it on the 3rd Jan which was a good while after the initial announcement. Still, well done for creating the buzz!!
hey there? OOO chi vah…
the search for resonnable 404 error pages is an art, and as google submit to post question and response, (as it is a tool to be ) the art is answering classical net worms and errors…maybe you’ve closed this topic since february…and blogging (second lifes red districts..) xcauses comments and code.
i mean, this debate on security buzzs eand panels is so crumshous, or (to puthe debate that way : what security means to desire and reason of violence? it has no real concern with the 404′s error searching method
24 September i s and is not a shot.
google’s paintings
are revolving too much (boring, uh?)
thanks for postin that tool shit, hope kindaa jays would hang on till games…lets see it after the summer show…public, of course