Google Translate: What Users Actually Complain About
Overview
The Google Translate extension is experiencing significant issues with core functionality, particularly around page translation and popup reliability. Users are frustrated with language detection problems, browser compatibility issues, and missing features that were previously available. The extension appears to be in decline as Google shifts focus to Chrome's built-in translation capabilities.
Top complaints
1. Page Translation Feature Issues
cluster 1/6Users report problems with the core page translation functionality, including removal of features and unreliable performance.
“You removed the page translation button because you said it was "built into Chrome" when it wasn't.”
“They used to allow translating entire pages within the extension, now I have to download Chrome and have all of my actions”
“Works fine, until it doesn't. Full page translation on some sites is often unavailable”
2. Popup and UI Problems
cluster 2/6Users experience issues with the translation popup interface, including display problems and functionality failures.
“toolbar icon popout doesn't work half the time... Do better Google!”
“Z-index isn't high enough. The translation popup is still behind modals on some pages”
“Icon doesn't always pop up, and right-clicking opens the translation in a new window.”
3. Language Detection and Selection Issues
cluster 3/6Users report problems with automatic language detection and the inability to properly select or maintain language preferences.
“The auto detect keeps thinking Japanese is Dutch and giving "Chinese New Year" as the translation.”
“In the pop-up setting, it does not display text that mixes right-to-left languages with some English terminology correct”
“Cant even detect the right language. i highlight Chinese but it keeps detecting as Vietnamese”
4. Browser Compatibility and Reliability
cluster 4/6Users experience issues with the extension not working properly across different browsers and websites.
“FOR MONTHS IT HAS NOT WORKED FOR MY EMPLOYERS INTRANET SHAREPOINT SITE”
“I'm tried using the Google Translate extension with Vivaldi browser and it didn't work”
“Doesn't work on Google Docs.”
5. Feature Limitations and Missing Functionality
cluster 5/6Users report missing features and limitations in the extension's capabilities compared to previous versions.
“Bro i just tried it literally a minute ago and this is what i see from the extension: Page translation is built into Chr”
“No direct translation, just opens google translator”
“I would like ALL text automatically translated without having to select it.”
6. Translation Quality and Accuracy
cluster 6/6Users report issues with the quality and accuracy of translations provided by the extension.
“Can't translate whole pages. Unusable garbage”
“doesn't translate but invents”
“Translation quality has been abysmal since the most recent update. There are so many instances of asterisks being added”
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