[mthoms]

You don't have to use the plugin, just search at the top of the page.

The text around the plugin is misleading. Strike 1 IMHO.

[globalise83]

On Chrome desktop I just see a blocker message: "To see results and get the convenience of you.com, you’ll need to add the you.com Chrome extension"

[mthoms]

Wow, you're right. Searching works fine in Safari (desktop) but requires a plugin when you visit the same page in Chrome.

I want to like this, but this move seems like just another scummy "growth hack".

[ljm]

This feedback is so common in all the threads here that I can only wonder why someone would so gloriously sabotage their own product.

It's a bit needy. Maybe give people a chance to try it out on their own terms instead of forcing them to commit right off the bat?

[richardsocher]

Hey, thanks for the feedback. We dropped the requirement to install the extension. We're open on all browsers now. Happy searching or trying :)

[cabalamat]

I'm using Firefox and don't get that message. Obviously if you do get it on Chrome, that's a bad user experience and needs to be changed.

[crummy]

When I click the search bar at the top of the page it takes me to the plugin install page.

[nabakin]

On mobile I'm able to search no problem. I guess that makes sense though because Chrome extensions on mobile aren't a thing.

[richardsocher]

Yea. It's not like we're tryin to block users :) We just found that without the convenience of a navbar search - you're ngmi (not gonna make it) as a search engine.

We hope we can drop all restrictions in the future.

[shkkmo]

This sort of attitude that prioritizes your own growth over the experience of your customers does not bode well for a company that is trying to sell itself as committed to user privacy.

[richardsocher]

yea. we didn't realize this extension install would make for such a terrible experience for some folks.

but we listen, so we dropped the requirement entirely.

happy open searching

[alfonsodev]

I think they know there is more chances you come back to you.com if you are reminded by the extension icon.