Google Updates Toolbar, AutoLink Remains

Google modified some characteristics of the toolbar's controversial AutoLink feature to mollify Web site owners.

“When Google first released Toolbar 3 in February, it faced criticism from Webmasters who didn’t like the idea of the search giant altering content, or creating new links, on their sites withouttheir permission. Microsoft had put up a trial balloon in 2001 for a similar feature based called Smart Tags, but dropped the idea after similar heat from users and site creators.

Google Toolbar now shades AutoLink-made links blue so that they better stand out on the page. Toolbar 3 also lets users change the default provider of the information from these links. For instance, users can switch from Google Maps as the supplier of address AutoLinks to MapQuest or YahooMaps. “

Read more at InformationWeek