Attack of the little green links.

Moonliner · 04-26-2005, 06:43 PM

I've noticed something strange in the last week or two. As I surf the web many of the sites I visit are laced with double-underline hyperlinks for common words. At first I thought it was just interal links on related words. Wikipedia does this for example. However after I started looking at the actual links it's fairly clear there is a marketing plan involved here.

Anyone know where these come from?

Kevy Baby · 04-26-2005, 06:55 PM

A programmer

BarTopDancer · 04-26-2005, 10:17 PM

Spyware or a program you downloaded and didn't uncheck the option to underline the links. Trillian does this too. Go check the preferences of anything you recently installed, and if you didn't knowingly install something run an anti-spyware program.

Ghoulish Delight · 04-27-2005, 10:05 AM

Specifically, that sounds like Ezula's Top Text. If none of the free adware removers pull it out, here are manual removal instructions

Moonliner · 04-27-2005, 10:45 AM

I've done a bit of digging. I'm fairly compulsive about spyware scanning so as I suspected, it's not on my PC. It's on the sites themselves. For example you can see it here Notice the double underlines?

A stroll through their HTML code turned up something called intelliTxt

The web abounds with comments on intelliTxt.

There is also a note about how intellitxt is often taken to be Top Text (nice call GD).

Cadaverous Pallor · 04-27-2005, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moonliner

I've done a bit of digging. I'm fairly compulsive about spyware scanning so as I suspected, it's not on my PC. It's on the sites themselves. For example you can see it here Notice the double underlines?

I can't see any double underlines at that site.. I'm viewing this on a Mac with Mozilla, though.

Mousey Girl · 04-27-2005, 05:52 PM

The are in the text towards the bottom of the page. Wierd, but it is a marketing gimik.

Moonliner · 04-27-2005, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

I can't see any double underlines at that site.. I'm viewing this on a Mac with Mozilla, though.

Wow, that could be the first good argument I've heard for using a Mac in err umm well ever.

Cadaverous Pallor · 04-27-2005, 07:19 PM

Now that I'm on a PC, I see them. Definitely weren't there before.

Monorail Man · 04-27-2005, 09:22 PM

Yep. It's a new advertising technique. Experts Exchange has been using them for a while. Like a twisted version of Ad Words.

04-26-2005, 06:43 PM	#1
Moonliner 8/30/14 - Disneyland -10k or Bust. Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 9,022	Attack of the little green links. I've noticed something strange in the last week or two. As I surf the web many of the sites I visit are laced with double-underline hyperlinks for common words. At first I thought it was just interal links on related words. Wikipedia does this for example. However after I started looking at the actual links it's fairly clear there is a marketing plan involved here. Anyone know where these come from? __________________ - Taking it one step at a time.
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04-26-2005, 06:55 PM	#2
Kevy Baby Chowder Head Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yes Posts: 18,500	A programmer __________________ The thing about quotes on the internet is that you cannot verify their validity. - Abraham Lincoln
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04-26-2005, 10:17 PM	#3
BarTopDancer Prepping... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Here, there, everywhere Posts: 11,405	Spyware or a program you downloaded and didn't uncheck the option to underline the links. Trillian does this too. Go check the preferences of anything you recently installed, and if you didn't knowingly install something run an anti-spyware program. __________________ Spork is the new MacGyver Postcards From My Edge
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04-27-2005, 10:05 AM	#4
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	Specifically, that sounds like Ezula's Top Text. If none of the free adware removers pull it out, here are manual removal instructions __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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04-27-2005, 10:45 AM	#5
Moonliner 8/30/14 - Disneyland -10k or Bust. Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 9,022	I've done a bit of digging. I'm fairly compulsive about spyware scanning so as I suspected, it's not on my PC. It's on the sites themselves. For example you can see it here Notice the double underlines? A stroll through their HTML code turned up something called intelliTxt The web abounds with comments on intelliTxt. There is also a note about how intellitxt is often taken to be Top Text (nice call GD). __________________ - Taking it one step at a time.
	Submit to Quotes

04-27-2005, 05:52 PM	#7
Mousey Girl Just Me Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In The Flagon With The Dragon Posts: 2,437	The are in the text towards the bottom of the page. Wierd, but it is a marketing gimik.
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04-27-2005, 07:19 PM	#9
Cadaverous Pallor ohhhh baby Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Parental Bliss Posts: 12,364	Now that I'm on a PC, I see them. Definitely weren't there before. __________________ The second star to the right shines in the night for you
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04-27-2005, 09:22 PM	#10
Monorail Man Yummy? Yummy? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: At one of many parties! Posts: 150	Yep. It's a new advertising technique. Experts Exchange has been using them for a while. Like a twisted version of Ad Words. __________________ -Hastin Zylstra
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