I’ve not paid exact attention to how long this “new” behavior has been occurring, but it seems like just the last few months. When searching on Google, I notice that, lately, whatever domain is listed as the #1 search result tries to set a cookie on my browser. Right from within Google before I even visit the site!

It happens on Windows, OS X, and Fedora Core using FireFox. (I wouldn’t be caught dead using MSIE.) Of course, I deny these uninvited requests to put tracking cookies on my browser. Afterall, what do I gain by allowing these cookies? Nothing.

Can someone tell me why this happens? What is Google doing with their code to try and nail additional tracking cookies to my browser before I even visit a site? How long has this been happening?

Dissatisfied searcher would like to know. Anonymous and abusive replies accepted.

This entry was posted on Saturday, January 14th, 2006 at 6:36 pm and is filed under Technology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.