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Dear HN, I wrote a Firefox extension that strips out google links from adwords

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Re: Dear HN, I wrote a Firefox extension that strips out google links from adwords

#2

Post by apowell » 

  Since it goes straight to your destination, 
  Google cannot store data on your behavior.
I think this is a very cool idea and does provide some level of privacy, but it shouldn't be overstated. Google still has your search history (arguably more sensitive than the actual search result clicked), and in many cases can back into your click behavior via Google Analytics/Adsense code which is embedded on many, many sites (unless you're scrubbing referrer data as well).

Re: Dear HN, I wrote a Firefox extension that strips out google links from adwords

#3

Post by shaddi »

My beef isn't really with their tracking of my links, but it's annoying to me to do a search and not be able to "right click > Copy link location" on a search result. After installing your (otherwise great) plugin, I still get the google-infested link if I right click on it. Worse, the link stays google-infested even if I left-click on it afterwards. If you could fix this, this plugin would become as essential to me as AdBlock.

Re: Dear HN, I wrote a Firefox extension that strips out google links from adwords

#5

Post by srram »

shaddi wrote: post #3

My beef isn't really with their tracking of my links, but it's annoying to me to do a search and not be able to "right click > Copy link location" on a search result. After installing your (otherwise great) plugin, I still get the google-infested link if I right click on it. Worse, the link stays google-infested even if I left-click on it afterwards. If you could fix this, this plugin would become as essential to me…

Shaddi, Could you help me understand? The original google links are gone if you have this installed. That means that if you do a 'copy link location' on a sponsored link, you will get ONLY the sanitized URL. I tried it out, and do not see the behavior you are reporting.. Maybe I am misunderstanding what you are saying?

Re: Dear HN, I wrote a Firefox extension that strips out google links from adwords

#6

Post by shaddi »

srram wrote: post #5
shaddi wrote: post #3

My beef isn't really with their tracking of my links, but it's annoying to me to do a search and not be able to "right click > Copy link location" on a search result. After installing your (otherwise great) plugin, I still get the google-infested link if I right click on it. Worse, the link stays google-infested even if I left-click on it afterwards. If you could fix this, this plugin would become as essential to me…

Shaddi, Could you help me understand? The original google links are gone if you have this installed. That means that if you do a 'copy link location' on a sponsored link, you will get ONLY the sanitized URL. I tried it out, and do not see the behavior you are reporting.. Maybe I am misunderstanding what you are saying?

Yes, that's what I'm describing. Here are my steps to repro:

1) Search something on google.com (for example: unc)

2) Mouseover on a link shows actual address (for instance, http://www.unc.edu); clicking on the link goes directly to page.

3) Right click, copy link location. Paste that link:

- Expected result: http://www.unc.edu

- My example result: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&#38.... (clipped for brevity)

4) Mouseover on same link or click on it.

- Expected result: http://www.unc.edu (as before)

- My result: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&#38.... (etc)

If it helps, I'm running FF 3.5.6 on Win7; I can try on Linux and OSX later tonight if that would be useful.

p.s. -- add some contact info to your profile; I'd prefer to email directly rather than pollute this thread with bug reports.

Re: Dear HN, I wrote a Firefox extension that strips out google links from adwords

#8

Post by jasonlbaptiste »

malloreon wrote: post #7

Does this then allow you to click on the ads at right without the advertisers paying for the click? If so, advertisers will be pleased, Google will be pissed.

Speaking in magic unicorn fantasy land terms:

If this were true and Microsoft made that a default feature on IE, what would happen? Assume that Google does not find a way around the issue (like I said, magic unicorn fantast land scenario).

Re: Dear HN, I wrote a Firefox extension that strips out google links from adwords

#9

Post by srram »

shaddi wrote: post #6
srram wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Shaddi, Could you help me understand? The original google links are gone if you have this installed. That means that if you do a 'copy link location' on a sponsored link, you will get ONLY the sanitized URL. I tried it out, and do not see the behavior you are reporting.. Maybe I am misunderstanding what you are saying?

Yes, that's what I'm describing. Here are my steps to repro: 1) Search something on google.com (for example: unc) 2) Mouseover on a link shows actual address (for instance, http://www.unc.edu ); clicking on the link goes directly to page. 3) Right click, copy link location. Paste that link: - Expected result: http://www.unc.edu - My example result: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&#38... . (clipped fo…

I have added my email address to my profile. Let's take it offline. I have tried to reproduce what you are saying (firefox 3.5.6 on Win 7) and failed. I do not see how what you are saying is possible. If you are going to the actual URL directly, a right click has to result in the same link being copied. That is the behavior I am seeing.

Re: Dear HN, I wrote a Firefox extension that strips out google links from adwords

#10

Post by srram »

malloreon wrote: post #7

Does this then allow you to click on the ads at right without the advertisers paying for the click? If so, advertisers will be pleased, Google will be pissed.

umm.. yes. You are right. But this is not too different from adblock, which gets rid of the entire frame. I assume google is not too fond of that either
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