Why my Google search results are all directed via "http://www.ecosia.org/"

06
2014-04
  • Aw Qirui Guo

    Recently I noticed a website called "ecosia.org" which directs all my Google search results. What's happening to me?

    Thanks,

  • Answers
  • Andrea

    I didn't have any of these extensions installed but I just noticed an update to the Window Resizer Plugin started redirecting all my Google Search results links through EcoSia to support tree planting in Brazil. So if you have the Window Resizer plugin or any other plugin that supports Ecosia in a recent update. That may be the culprit.

    Its not spam or a virus though, its a legitimate effort to plant trees in Brazil. Go to ecosia.org and they're very transparent about it all.

    TO DISABLE ECOLINKS IN WINDOW RESIZER.

    1. Window Resizer settings are at the bottom of the Window Resizer Menu (under all the windows sizes), so click the Window resizer button in your Chrome toolbar.

    2. Settings page appears...in that menu there's a big link on the right side called ECOLINKS. Click that.

    3. Only one option there to turn it off...Uncheck that and ur done.

  • Andrea

    You have installed an extension in your browser which causes all of your traffic to be rerouted through the ecosia.org.

    I did a simple Google search and found that it is an organisation that donates about 80% of its earning to plant trees.

    That being said, if you are worried about your privacy (which, you should be), uninstall the extension or try to change the default search engine.

    It can be done as follows (For Chrome):

    1. Goto Tools->Settings.
    2. Click the Search. Manage Search Engines.
    3. If you hover over google, you will get a make default button. Click it. Click OK.

    You are done.

  • Pretzel

    This is apparently something new with the most up to date version of chrome, as you are not alone.

    If you look in your chrome extensions, you will have one called "EcoLinks" which is now enabled by default. You can just turn it off, or uninstall it. Either is up to you.

  • spuder

    Seems like Google has removed the extension now. And here are some good alternatives to try


  • Related Question

    windows - How to filter Google search results?
  • Revolter

    Possible Duplicate:
    Is it possible with Google searches to ban any and all results from a domain?

    Is there a way to exclude permanently and FOREVER some domain names from being shown in google search result page except using geasemonkey + a script ?


  • Related Answers
  • 8088

    Probably the best way to do this is with the SearchWiki feature. If you sign in to your Google account, you can disable a result.

    SearchWiki

  • Joey

    You can simply prefix the site: search modifier with a minus sign.

    Searching for "Something -site:somesite.org" does work.

  • Revolter

    I found a nice add-on for Firefox called surfclarity witch filter searchs results on google and yahoo ...

  • Area 51

    you can use, Stylish to write your own style (css) and block certain results on-load. gluck