TechNote

Google Toolbar offer for Adobe Reader, Adobe Flash Player and Adobe Shockwave Player - FAQ

What's covered

What is the Google Toolbar?
Why is Adobe distributing the Google Toolbar?
How will this agreement benefit users?
How will the Google Toolbar be offered?
What Web browsers does the Google Toolbar support?
Does the Google Toolbar contain spyware?
Is it possible to uninstall the Google Toolbar once it has been installed?
Is this a global agreement, or just for users in certain geographic areas?
Does this affect the toolbar offer that Adobe has with Yahoo?
Does Adobe currently offer the Google Toolbar with any other Adobe products?

Based on a previously announced agreement between Adobe and Google, Adobe is now offering the option to install the free Google Toolbar as part of the web download process for Adobe Reader and Adobe Flash Player, and as an option offered as part of the installer for Adobe Shockwave Player. More information on this offer and the agreement between Adobe and Google is included in the following FAQ.

Q: What is the Google Toolbar?

A: The Google Toolbar is a free download that adds a Google search box to your Internet Explorer web browser. The Toolbar also includes innovative features that make browsing more efficient, such as a web form filler, spellchecker, word translator, and pop-up blocker.

The Google Toolbar includes customization features that enable users to personalize their browsing experience and share information with friends. Users can add buttons to the Google Toolbar to search their favorite web sites, stay up-to-date on their favorite feeds, and more.

Developers can easily create buttons using Google's XML-based Custom Button API and share them with millions of Toolbar users in Google's Button Gallery.

The Google Toolbar also offers bookmarks that are accessible from any computer, query suggestions as you type, and the ability to easily share content from Web pages with other users via Gmail, SMS (US phone numbers only), or posting directly to a blog.

Additional information is available at the Google Toolbar website, toolbar.google.com.

Q: Why is Adobe distributing the Google Toolbar?

A: Adobe has partnered with Google to offer the Google Toolbar as a free download that adds a Google search box to a web browser and offers other web browsing personalization features that many customers find useful. Customers who do not wish to take advantage of this offer can opt out of the Toolbar download.

Q: How will this agreement benefit users?

A: Users will benefit because the Google Toolbar can enhance the web browsing experience, making it easier, more engaging, and more efficient. With the toolbar installed, users can access Google search capabilities from any website without visiting the Google home page. For more information on other features of the Google Toolbar please visit the Google Toolbar website, toolbar.google.com .

Q: How will the Google Toolbar be offered?

For Adobe Reader and Adobe Flash Player, the Google Toolbar is only being offered from the Adobe website and is not part of the Reader or Flash Player installers. Visitors to the Reader Download Center and Flash Player Download Center on Adobe.com may be presented with the option to install the Google Toolbar as part of the download process. For Adobe Shockwave Player, the Google Toolbar offer will be made as part of the software installation process. The Google Toolbar is offered for Internet Explorer users on Windows only.

The Google Toolbar and the Adobe software products are distinct software products and are not functionally merged in any way. Users who opt out of the offer will only download and install the Adobe software.

Q: What Web browsers does the Google Toolbar support?

A: The Google Toolbar is available only for use with Internet Explorer 6 and above on Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Vista. The Google Toolbar offer is presented only to users who do not already have Google Toolbar installed on their systems. Users running any other browser or operating system are not presented with the offer to download the Google Toolbar.

Q: Does the Google Toolbar contain spyware?

A: No, the Google Toolbar does not contain spyware nor is it a spyware application. Adobe is committed to protecting our customers privacy and as such will not distribute software that is considered spyware. For more information on Googles privacy policy with respect to their toolbar product, please visit the Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer Help Center at www.google.com/support/toolbar/bin/topic.py?topic=938.

Q: Is it possible to uninstall the Google Toolbar once it has been installed?

A: Yes, you can find instructions on how to uninstall the toolbar in the Google Toolbar help or you can uninstall it using Windows Add/Remove Programs. For more information, visit: the Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer Help Center atwww.google.com/support/toolbar/bin/answer.py?answer=9231&topic=915 .

Q: Is this a global agreement, or just for users in certain geographic areas?

A: This is a global agreement. For more information on available versions, visit the product pages for Adobe Flash Player, Adobe Reader and Adobe Shockwave Player.

Q: Does this affect the toolbar offer that Adobe has with Yahoo?

A: Yes. Adobe has replaced the Yahoo Toolbar offer with the Google Toolbar offer. Both Yahoo and Google are valuable strategic partners for Adobe and distribution of the toolbar is only one aspect of our overall relationship with both companies. We continue to work with Yahoo on other projects that have long-term strategic value to our respective companies.