It looks like Google will drop the HTTP protocol designator in the Chrome browser

Google updates their Chrome browser rather more than twice per year, meaning the company is always making small changes to how the most popular web browser on the internet works and looks.

The latest change, noticed by HTNovo.net, appears as if it will affect the appearance of the address bar and how site addresses are presented.

In the latest Canary version of Google Chrome (version 70.0.3538.4) the browser no longer shows the protocol name (ie HTTP://).  Interestingly this is only for HTTP addresses as FTP addresses still show the full URL.

Given that the web has won over most other internet protocols the HTTP part of the URL is likely quite redundant and I suspect will not be missed by most when it does finally come to the mainstream version of the browser, likely in October this year.

Readers who want to try the new experience out themselves can download Chrome’s Canary version here.