Autolink is really Autosteal your Info & Customers
The following is an article written by
Steve
Rubel
Google today launched a
new version of its
toolbar
that employs a new feature called Autolink that turns non-linked content on Web
sites into hotlinks back to Google properties and other sites.
Gary Price
writes...
For example, say your browsing a web page with
numerous addresses on it. AutoLink will turn each of those addresses into direct
links to the Google Maps database.
In addition to addresses, it will also add links for ISBNs, package tracking
numbers, and vehicle identification numbers. This all has Greg Linden
a bit spooked. I agree. How come nobody is crying foul here? Remember all
the heat Microsoft took over
its planned Smart Tags feature a few years ago? Gary eludes to it, but I
think that there should be more discussion here.
Let's face it, Google is to the Web what Microsoft is to PCs - the operating
system everyone uses to search. It has nearly the same lock on consumers' share
of mind (sorry Yahoo). And millions use the Google Toolbar.
They shouldn't get away with what Microsoft was unable to. It's not fair and it
shows that no matter what Google does, they can do no wrong in the eyes of the
American public - at least for now. Could you imagine the uproar if Microsoft
had tried this with the new MSN Toolbar Suite?
_________________
Chris Richardson
WebProWorld