The following is an archive copy of the "Spectrum" page as it looked around Sept. 11, 2003 at www.google.com/help/about_spectrum.html. This page was gone from the Web by Oct. 6, 2003.

Google Frequent Searchers

Are you a frequent searcher? Now you can know.

Do you search with Google a hundred times a day? Do you reach for Google before the phonebook, the dictionary or the newspaper? Do you think, just maybe, you're a Google frequent searcher?

Now you can know for sure. The Google search counter is accurate, easy to administer and precisely calibrated for your computing environment. It provides clear and instantaneous results showing exactly how often you use Google. For information on how the search counter works, read on.

About the Google search counter

1. Why is there a number and color bar on my Google homepage?
2. I've been searching all day and yet my counter seems stuck. Should I jiggle my monitor?
3. How does Google know how many searches I've done?
4. How do I win?
5. That was fun. How do I make it stop?

1. Why is there a number and colorbar on my Google homepage?

The counter tells you how many searches you've conducted since it began counting. The color bar is just a visual representation of that information, showing you how far you've progressed. If the number contains more than 3 digits (or your color bar marker is more red than blue), you truly are a Google frequent searcher.

2. I've been searching all day and yet my counter seems stuck. Should I jiggle my monitor?

No need for percussive maintenance. We stop counting after 100 searches in a single day (that's one search every 14.4 minutes). We don't want to encourage obsessive behavior or information overload. Your daily count (not your overall total) is reset at the end of each calendar day, so go ahead and try for another hundred tomorrow.

3. How does Google know how many searches I've done?

We place a counter on your computer's hard drive (by using a cookie). Each time you do a search, we add one to your total number and then save it again. It's essentially the same technology that other websites use to remember your login and password.

4. How do I win?

There is no winning. There is only self-awareness. The search is endless.

5. That was fun. How do I make it stop?

This is a beta feature, which means it's still in test mode and doesn't offer an opt out. If you wish, you can delete your cookie which should reset your homepage to Google standard.

If you have any additional questions or ideas, please send your thoughts to spectrum-feedback@google.com. We appreciate your interest in Google and your taking the time to write.