Most internet marketers are aware of, and probably use, the Google Toolbar. After all, it has been the only indicator of Google's PageRank number that has been assigned to a given web page. Whether the number is accurate, important, or even updated any more is a matter of debate on the marketing forums. But the only feature that was really worthwhile for more casual surfers, other than being able to use the Google search box directly, was the popup window blocker feature, which oddly enough, is the least favorite feature of many an internet marketer.

But for many surfers now, the Yahoo Toolbar may well be a better choice. A 3 megabyte download for computers running Windows 98 or higher and Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher, the Yahoo Toolbar not only offers greater interactivity with Yahoo and My Yahoo, but now offers some benefits for your PC as well.

In addition, to the Search Yahoo box and quick access to Yahoo News, email, and bookmarks, the Yahoo Toolbar offers a Pop-Up blocker, and perhaps even more importantly for many surfers these days, Anti-Spy, to detect and remove spyware from the user's PC. Yahoo even has an anti-spyware community that is tied in with the Anti-Spy software on the Yahoo Toolbar.

Many people prefer Google for search, feeling that it offers better results with fewer "spammy" sites while Yahoo search is going through a rebirth. However, many surfers prefer the amazing My Yahoo portal, that offers email, calendar, notes, and multiple news and information pages that you can customize just about any way you like. Since it offers such quick and easy access to My Yahoo, in addition to a Pop-Up Blocker and Anti-Spy, the Yahoo Toolbar may be worthy of a place on your browser controls. Even if it means you have to type in the name of your favorite search engine!