avast! 5 free version name change? Why?

[Gabriel Knight]

For 21 years the free version of avast!  was known as "avast! x.x Home Edition" why rip the home edition out of avast! and name it like all the lame free AVs?

avast! was pretty original for many years because of it's detection efficiency and low resources using, and it's DVD interface looking GUI (witch kinda sucked having an AV that looks like a DVD player but i guess it worked for back then)

My point is you should have left the name of the free version "Home Edition" not avast! Free Antivirus, it sounds as bad and unreliable like AVG Free and Avira AntiVir Free. Whoever would have looked for a free AV they only needed to write it on google, or go on avast.com, it's not that complicated, not even for newbies.

[Lisandro]

The name changing is due to search engines (look for free antivirus, not home antivirus).
It's an old scheme, as well Professional version (that would change to Premium afik).

[cinchez]

There is no such thing as constant in this world, even in the cyberworld.^^ Change is always present^^

Its ok, since only the name changes, not its efficiency, accuracy and power at fighting malware^^

Although i like the "home edition" name, but what can I do?^^ Only one choice, that is to accept it^^

-AnimeLover^^

[DavidR]

I would have to agree with the OP as changing the actual name of the antivirus doesn't necessarily equate to better search results, if that is the true purpose of the name change. What does improve search result placement is search engine optimisation of avasts web pages and the promotional blurb that is given to the various software download sites.

So I did a google search for 'free antivirus' (without the quotes) and avast was third and forth after you know who (see image). It is quite some way ahead of the various download sites as it seems to give priority placement to the vendors site.

So whilst it is still called avast Home Edition and getting third in the rankings, changing the name wouldn't seem to be able to bring any huge gain in search placement when there are only two places above it to try and gain.

[mouniernetwork]

I would have to agree with the OP as changing the actual name of the antivirus doesn't necessarily equate to better search results, if that is the true purpose of the name change. What does improve search result placement is search engine optimisation of avasts web pages and the promotional blurb that is given to the various software download sites.

So I did a google search for 'free antivirus' (without the quotes) and avast was third and forth after you know who (see image). It is quite some way ahead of the various download sites as it seems to give priority placement to the vendors site.

So whilst it is still called avast Home Edition and getting third in the rankings, changing the name wouldn't seem to be able to bring any huge gain in search placement when there are only two places above it to try and gain.

If I remember correctly Vince or Vlk explained that it was to clarify the role of this version and expand and clarify that home users shouldn't be absolutly getting this version and that a paid version may be more appropriate for them and maybe even getting the idea that by choosing this product you will be getting a free product of high quality but still a free product.
Then again it's only what I felt when it was explained

Al968

[DavidR]

Well the important bit on my post being highlighted in bold:

<snip>changing the actual name of the antivirus doesn't necessarily equate to better search results, if that is the true purpose of the name change.

[Marc57]

If they're so concerned about search, I wish they would do something about a fake Avast (Antivirus 2009) being second on the list when you search for Avast.

[spg SCOTT]

Hi Marc57,

If they're so concerned about search, I wish they would do something about a fake Avast (Antivirus 2009) being second on the list when you search for Avast.

I'm not sure that ALWIL can do too much about this, besides report it like I have below...

Found this when searching on what to do about that:
http://www.google.com/support/websearch/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=16162

I have reported it using the first link in step 2, giving the relevant search info and a link to your post.
I suppose if enough people report it, it may get removed...

-Scott-

[Marc57]

Thanks Scott, I reported it also.

[spg SCOTT]

Thanks Scott, I reported it also.

No problem

Now lets see what they do about it...

[Lisandro]

If they're so concerned about search, I wish they would do something about a fake Avast (Antivirus 2009) being second on the list when you search for Avast.

I can't believe... a sponsored link

[DavidR]

Sponsored links have been used by this sort of thing and malware for some time now.

[Lisandro]

Sponsored links have been used by this sort of thing and malware for some time now.

Shame on Google. They must have a way to prevent that.

[Dwarden]

Avast 5 Free Home Edition and You get all inside

[Marc57]

Thanks Scott, I reported it also.

No problem

Now lets see what they do about it...

It seems to be fixed now, Let's see how long it lasts.