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Humans can't read URLs. How can we fix it? - HTTP 203

Chrome for Developers · commentary · Watch on YouTube

Web developmentSecurity & hackingUX & UI design

What it is

Jake Archibald argues that URLs are nearly impossible for humans to interpret, especially for security. He walks through what browsers do about it, including highlighting the registrable domain, and floats a possible better design.

Why Hacker News recommends it

Referenced in debates over Chrome hiding URLs as a compelling case for why full URLs are hard even for experts.

  • 3 people recommended it
  • 2 different months
  • 0 strong recommendations
  • first 2020, last 2023

What HN commenters said

  1. “I think they make a compelling argument for hiding most of the url in part to prevent phishing”

    Chrome devs discuss URL readability and security tradeoffs.

    Orochikaku, 2020-06 · Recommendation · in “Google adds experimental setting to hide full URLs in Chrome 85 address bar”

  2. “This video covers the problems well”

    Covers why reading URLs is hard even for experts.

    AshleysBrain, 2020-06 · Recommendation · in “Google adds experimental setting to hide full URLs in Chrome 85 address bar”

  3. “I do still recommend watching the entire video if you want to get more perspective on the issue”

    Jake Archibald's perspective on removing URLs from the address bar.

    davidmurdoch, 2020-08 · Recommendation · in “Google resumes its attack on the URL bar, hides full addresses on Chrome 86”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: urls, phishing, chrome, public suffix list, address bar

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