In Google Chrome you can hide it via ABP and the element via dynamite extension.
When it is annoying to you add to the ABP filter.
Everyone is doing it, firefox now has ads in your face for a trial period at least.
Developers want a living, I understand.
Soon Internet ads launching gonna look like commercial TV,
but there you can at least use that time to “go and spend a penny” ;D

polonus

P.S. It is also redirecting from http://www.google.com/chrome?brand=AVSF&installdataindex=googlehomepage&hl=en redirects to https://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/browser/?brand=AVSF&installdataindex=googlehomepage&hl=en
(avast does not scan https :frowning: )

D