: Why some Google results are drive-by-redirects instead of direct links? I start noticing that some Google results are links to some Google redirect engine. But almost all the others are direct

@Frith620

The links start out pointing directly to the actual result. When you click on the link, an onmousedown event handler changes it to the redirect link. If you click a link and drag the mouse off of it (so you don't actually follow the link), you will start seeing the redirect link in the status bar for that link.

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@Yeniel560

Actually, all of the links go through a Google redirect. Check with Firebug or Dev Tools in Chrome, you'll see the URLs are something like /url?sa=t&source=web&cd=11&ved=0CBgQF.... I assume they use some form of Javascript to make the browser show the real URL in the status bar.

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@Sarah324

They do this if you are logged into your Google account to keep track of your search history (which you can later search or review).

They also have done this in the past to see how their search results are being used.

They do not use it for ranking sites. It can be manipulated way too easily for that.

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