Why is Google Chrome Hiding WWW?

Updated March 4, 2025

I’m Just Browsing

If you’re part of the 45% of people browsing the web using Google Chrome, then you might be interested to know that Google will soon start displaying the www. at the start of web addresses again. Temporarily at least. But why was it hidden in the first place?

World Wide Web

If you remember the glorious days when Internet Explorer was dominating the internet browsing world, before tabs existed, when you would still Ask Jeeves if he could find you something, you’ll probably remember having to type www. before typing the name of the website. But as browsers evolved, and the address box became (in Google’s words) an omnibox the need to put the www. prefix was removed. As you know, when you type into the box at the top of chrome you can carry out a search, or you can go directly to the website you want to visit. So, Google felt that the need to show the www. became less valuable. When the www. disappeared they also removed the m. for mobile websites.

Google faced a large amount of criticism for making these changes, but have so far stuck firm with their decision to omit the information claiming that it is a way to combat the threat of phishing attacks.

Use My Full Name Please

However, Google has decided to bring back both the www. and the m. prefixes for a new version of Chrome. The www. will only be around for one update of Chrome, but the m. will be here to stay.

The reason for this change is because Google has that users (especially on mobile) may wish to switch between the mobile and desktop website. Now Google has split the index, if you search on mobile you will automatically be directed to the company’s mobile site, but by displaying the m. prefix, a user will me able to switch over to the www. if they wish to do so.

Back To The Future

What do you think of these changes? Do you think that seeing the www. or the m. will change how you browse the web? We’d love to hear your opinions.