I think because it's "Google" people are more open to the idea.
If it was me and my toolbar (imaginary btw) that autolinked a bunch of trigger words all over everyone's webpages, leading visitors to my chosen "features" (affiliate sites, websites, etc.), many of the same proponents would scream blue murder.
Everyone needs to remember that once Google starts this, there's no turning back. That door will never be closed. We'll have autolink toolbars coming out of the woodwork and no control over where those toolbars direct our visitors to.
I also think *some* of the vocal advocates encourage use of this toolbar for Google because it does open the door wide open for them to either launch or legitimize their own adware toolbars.
What we really need is legislation that protects the work and property of webmasters. We wouldn't even be debating the value of this current adware if we had laws in place.
If anything good is coming from this latest Google scandal, IMO it's that people are opening their eyes to the real danger adware presents to all webmasters.
I don't think there was enough of a 'threat' in many peoples minds, and now that threat is looming large with Google and its large user base.
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