Is it OK to hide a URL in the staus bar?

[kire1971]

Is Google OK with using an onmouseover command to hide the URL of a link?

I have a web directory where I would like to use this method to hide ugly URLs and affiliate URLs. The status bar would just show the homepage URL of the site. Will Google still follow those links? Does Google consider it spammy or penalize in any way?

[Total Paranoia]

I'm no expert on the subject but can think of no reason why google would frown upon this.

[synergy]

Nope, no problems with Google and hiding the URL onMouseover. As long as the link is an <a href= then the spider will follow it.

[GoogleGuy]

No problems with this. Someone started a rumor about this a while ago, but I tried to play whack-a-mole so that people know that they can do what they want with the status bar. :)

[abates]

Speaking as a user, I find that practice annoying... When I hover the mouse over a link, I like that I can see where the link will take me and that I'm not stepping blindly into an abyss. :)

[deejay]

I second abates. Too often hidden status bar urls indicate I'm heading to pop-up hell. I genuinely think twice if I don't see the URL.

Ugly I don't care about. Knowing where I'm going I do care about.

oops... abyss / abates... too similar

[vrtlw]

Too often hidden status bar urls indicate I'm heading to pop-up hell.

But a nicely stripped referral ID instead of other text in the status bar may be of benefit and increase CTR.

[kire1971]

That clears it up. Thanks for the answers everyone.

I don't like the practice much either, but in terms of affiliate links, it's almost necessary. My site will have a balance of affiliate and regular links so hopefully just covering up the affiliate ones won't turn anyone off.

[dmorison]

GG said:

people know that they can do what they want with the status bar. :)

Which is good, as any other stance would be a strong case of pot / kettle / #000000 wouldn't it, G. ;)

(try hovering over an AdWord on Google)