Skip to main content

Safari in iOS 11 converts Google’s AMP links back to the original URLs

Google’s Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) may have been sold to users on the basis of faster-loading webpages, but the company’s underlying motivation is to lock publishers into Google’s ad network. For users, it makes it harder to see which site you’re being taken to, and trickier to share links to specific pages.

Apple is now addressing the second issue in iOS 11 by having Safari convert AMP links back into the original URLs when shared …

MacStories founder Federico Viticci first spotted this.

Very nice: when sharing AMP pages to iMessage or Reading List, iOS 11 Safari automatically removes AMP’s crap from the URL. Go Apple.

At present, all AMP URLS shared from Safari begin with https://wwww.google.com/amp/.

Hacker News carries a post from AMP’s technical lead, Malte Ubl, stating that Google not only approves of Apple doing this, but actually requested it – and wants other browsers to follow Apple’s lead.

Just wanted to clarify that we specifically requested Apple (and other browser vendors) to do this. AMP’s policy states that platforms should share the canonical URL of an article whenever technically possible. This browser change makes it technically possible in Safari. We cannot wait for other vendors to implement.

It appears Safari implemented a special case. We’d prefer a more generic solution where browsers would share the canonical link by default, but this works for us.

Ubl also tweeted a congratulations to Safari’s team.

Google added a feature to AMP back in February to provide easier access to the original URL in response to concerns about AMP links. It explained the background to this in a lengthy blog post.

Via Daring Fireball


Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news:

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

Author

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Ben Lovejoy

Ben Lovejoy is a British technology writer and EU Editor for 9to5Mac. He’s known for his op-eds and diary pieces, exploring his experience of Apple products over time, for a more rounded review. He also writes fiction, with two technothriller novels, a couple of SF shorts and a rom-com!


Ben Lovejoy's favorite gear