Ask HN: Why are Google search result URLs so ugly?

CatsoCatsoCatso · on Aug 13, 2015

It allows Google to track your click. Look at the parameters after the 'url?' part of the link. Lets break it up, some will make sense to you, some only to Google.

    https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&
    rct=j&
    q=&
    esrc=s&
    source=web&
    cd=1&
    cad=rja&
    uact=8&
    ved=0CB8QFjAAahUKEwiQ9arirKbHAhUJ_IAKHaxdAhQ&
    url=https%3A%2F%2Fhbr.org%2F2008%2F07%2Femployee-motivation-a-powerful-new-model&
    ei=cLTMVZD9Ion4gwSsu4mgAQ&
    usg=AFQjCNFvsdgJlMw6Xc6vWMoX6hjTwsHU9w&
    sig2=RHlWUOJ95bb3wDBW45zABw&
    bvm=bv.99804247,d.eXY

This is all done server side so no need for cookies or JavaScript.

See also: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/28321041/google-search-ho...

steeples · on Aug 13, 2015

There are innumerable plugins to stop this tracking occurring. Google needs to know what their users are clicking on, and by virtue are now in the business of changing their code so frequently as to thwart these privacy tools. It's a game of cat and mouse between the privacy tools and Google. Make sure to download addons/extensions that will update to reflect any changes in Google Search

ocdtrekkie · on Aug 13, 2015

Bear in mind, Google's primary advantage in search is the number of people using their search engine, and their ability to track what people do. Moreso than any machine intelligence factor, Google just profits off knowing what term you search and then what you decided to click on.