Link that shows another address in status bar

Could this attract a penalty?

[kapow]

I have been given code and asked to put a link in my site, the link has javascript to show another address in the status bar. Could this attract a penalty?

I think I read something on WebmasterWorld about Google penalties for sites that prevent the status bar showing the actual link.

The code displays site-b in the status bar, the links goes to site-a which re-directs to site-b. I assume site-a does some tracking before redirecting. The code is like this:

<a href="http://www.actual-site.com" onmouseover="window.status='http://www.shown-site.com';return true;" onmouseout="window.status=' ';return true;">
<img src="logo.jpg" width="468" height="60"></a>

Could this attract a penalty?

[bluenile]

Googleguy has said in this forum -
you can do whatever you want with the statusbar.

[bcolflesh]

[webmasterworld.com...]

#44

[bluenile]

Googleguy quote at [webmasterworld.com...] msg #:44

This is one of the weirder rumors I've read lately. :) What egomaniac said. Why would we care about a mouseover that changed the status bar?
I haven't seen the newsletter where someone said this, so I don't know exactly what they claimed. But I'll be happy to say that Google doesn't really care what someone does with their status bar. :)

[kapow]

THANK YOU FOR SUCH CLARITY :)

Its scary how quickly unfounded rumors can spread.

There are many seo myths that came into being this way, rumors from people who are 'sure' - grow into accepted guidelines.

[GoogleGuy]

Too true, kapow. Wish I knew where that rumor started. That SEO should have their license revoked. ;) I'm happy to echo again today that you should feel free to do whatever you want to your status bar.

[dirkz]

> I'm happy to echo again today that you should feel free to do whatever you want to your status bar.

Actually I would prefer some things you can do with your status bar to lead to a life-long ban of the page :)

[pixel_juice]

I've seen very few sites that changed the status bar other than too conceal the actual target of a link (and occasional annoying scrolly-things).

I'm just glad Mozilla lets me easily prevent status bar changing.

>>you can do whatever you want with the statusbar.

Not with mine you won't matey ;)

[bluenile]

GoogleGuy :-

Everyone would like to know when and if Google Directory would be updated?

Is Google still giving enough importance to the directory?

Thanks.