Google Introduces Key Name Search into Toolbar

Reminiscent of the old RealNames functionality

[martinibuster]

According to PC Magazine [pcmag.com], Google has released a new version of the toolbar that will automatically redirect straight to a website if there's an obvious match between what is typed into the toolbar and a specific website.

Key Name search.

Current Google Toolbar users will be updated automatically over the next few weeks. Those who have already configured Google as their default search engine will have Browse by Name turned on by default. Others can enable it from the Options dialog.

According to the Google Toolbar page [toolbar.google.com],

Browse by Name - save time by typing names instead of URLs in your browser's address bar...

Oh boy! Something new to play with!

[edited by: martinibuster at 3:29 am (utc) on July 15, 2004]

[Marcia]

Goodie! Thanks MB, I'll change the default search. Yahoo hijacked mine when I installed their toolbar.

[wellzy]

Nice find martinibuster. Something else to play with. I imagine I'll waste a good amount of time finding flaws in it.

wellzy

[zeus]

Ohh no I dont like that, it will ones again give a boost to companies that have a big name on the net and the little company who tries to get a good name in the future has absolutly no chance, because google only delivers that one result, when a surfer types a name based search.

zeus

[GlynMusica]

Yeah but it's the only way they are going to curb the amount of spam in their index.

Glyn.

[graywolf]

Anybody got a sample of a word that works I tried a dozen or so and no success.

yes I did download the new version after I blew the dust of my IE browser ;-)

[atadams]

How is this different (other than being slower) that typing a keyword in the address bar and hitting "cntl + enter"?

[edited by: atadams at 4:30 pm (utc) on July 15, 2004]

[zeus]

graywolf, type yahoo

[whiplashblue]

I would imagine that this new feature might cause some screaming.

For example, typing 'apple ipod' using the new names feature now takes you right to Apple's iPod home page.

The old-style SERP had both native and Adwords results for some big shopping portals, such as CNET, BizRate, Amazon, etc. Doesn't that mean that all Google toolbar traffic for that phrase is going to stop dead for those portals? Won't that affect some of the big boy resellers quite a bit?

[sfxmystica]

Will the existing toolbar update itself or do you have to download and install the new version?

[beren]

I suppose this is OK if it works when there truly is an "obvious match". But I'm worried this is going to turn into another Real Names, which would not be good. Will Google start asking for money to buy certain words? That would be very, very bad.

(I don't particularly care about iPod resellers. But there are other ways that this is bad.)

[martinibuster]

whiplashblue makes a good point. This function takes the "surf" out of "surfing."

Anyone think some websites may suffer a traffic drop as a consequence of this feature?

[Robino]

But I'm worried this is going to turn into another Real Names,

Yeah, this is bad news for the toolbar users.

I believe the Firefox Google toolbar had this option set as the default.

[edited by: Robino at 6:27 pm (utc) on July 15, 2004]

[skipfactor]

>>Anyone think some websites may suffer a traffic drop as a consequence of this feature?

Yes, the one's relying on AdWords for traffic. Not to mention Google taking a hit on Adwords revenue.

[cwnet]

Certainly food for thought. Shifting the balance a little bit from "keyword search" toward "brand awareness".

Another factor to keep an eye on when "optimizing" or "marketing" a site.

[BReflection]

I tried a lot of terms and it pretty much only works for well known name brands. This doesn't seem like a very inventive development.

[Kirby]

>Anyone think some websites may suffer a traffic drop as a consequence of this feature?

No, unless Google starts charging for keynames.

[Tropical Island]

Can anyone tell us what version of the toolbar is the latest.

Mine is 2.0.111 -big/en (GGLB)

[edit_g]

Doesn't work for me - will it update itself? As the toolbar gets more widespread this certainly provides another reason for spammers to target well known brand names...

[Chndru]

>>what version of the toolbar is the latest.

2.0.112

[toolbar.google.com...]

But, how to update w/o uninstalling?

[colintho]

Anybody seen this?

Just trying the new feature “Browse by Name” and noticed the following:

As a result of our brand name endeavours, in establishing our trade mark / service mark “****” and to see if the Google Toolbar, Browse by Name feature would return our site.

I tried typing **** into the browser address bar, returning this folder on my PC C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Favorites\****

I tried the suggested “GOOGLE” – “you can just type "google," and Browse By Name will take you there.”

As I also have a favourites folder named GOOGLE I got this: C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Favorites\google

Also if you type this: Microsoft Outlook

If you have Microsoft Outlook, it opens your "Microsoft Outlook" program

[GlynMusica]

misunderstood.

[Leosghost]

Strikes me I need to go register some Keyword domain names..

[BReflection]

[bcolintho[/b] that is Internet Explorer behaviour not Google Toolbar.

[colintho]

ok - thanks, perhaps this IE behaviour should have been considered when this feature was being implemented?

[caveman]

I see no point to this. All is does is rob users of choices. I'll make my own choices thank you.

And if the argument is that it helps the less-well-informed searcher, I don't buy that either; a lot of searchers start with very basic kw's without necessarily intending to go to the most obvious choice (if there is such a thing).

[saurabh]

How exaclty is this different from the "I'm Feeling Lucky" button?

[bigjohnt]

Polishing up the crystal ball...

methinks Google will start selling Real names for the Toolbar - since, its not really, "really" part of the SERPS. Most likely after IPO, Q2/3.

OR maybe not. :)