Google has been truncating the URL in the search bar of Chrome's main frame for the past few years, saying it makes it easier for users to identify trusted domains. However, it has now removed that feature and will display the full URL, as detailed in a document spotted by Android Police.
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At one point, Google planned to remove the URL entirely and just display the search terms. More recently, it simplified the main box by hiding the “https://www” and displaying only the domain name. At the time, Google said it was trying to make things simpler for the average user. “It’s hard to read, it’s hard to know which part of it to trust, and I don’t think URLs are a good way to convey the identity of the site,” Chrome’s Adrienne Porter Felt told Wired in 2018.
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However, once Google “cut” the www. and m. from websites, various critics pointed out that two different websites could appear identical, potentially exposing users to phishing attacks – among other issues.
Google has now embraced and admitted that the idea didn't work as expected. "This experiment didn't work as expected, so it will be discontinued," said chief technology officer Emily Stark.
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The change is now available in Chrome 91, and only the “https://” is hidden by default. However, it’s easy to unhide by simply right-clicking or ctrl-clicking on the main frame and selecting “always show full URLs,” as Android Police pointed out.
Information source: engadget.com
