While ad blockers have been around for ages, companies have been finding better ways to crack down on the technology, making it less effective than before. Up until this point, it’s been a game of cat and mouse, but it looks like the chapter on those types of tools is now finally coming to an end.
This experience will be new to some
Cybernews reports that Google’s discontinuation of Manifest V2 extensions is the last nail in the coffin, and it will essentially break any extensions being used under that technology, which includes some popular ad blockers (via 9to5Google). This is set to take place over the next couple of releases of Chrome, with versions 150 and 151.
While we’ve known about Google’s move to Manifest V3 for some time now, the transition has taken years, and it is now in its final phase. Manifest V3 creates more rigid requirements, better ensuring app and user safety while browsing the web. Those currently relying on ad blockers will most likely need to start switching over to compliant tools.
With Manifest V3, extensions will no longer be able to intercept data dynamically. There are new Manifest V3-compliant ad blockers on the Chrome Web Store that use predefined lists to work, but they aren’t as effective. Of course, you’ll want to give the ones out there a try because each one works a little differently and might better suit your needs.
With that said, you can also go with a new browser if you’re not looking for such a strict Manifest V3 experience. Mozilla’s Firefox has talked about this in the past, explaining why it took a different approach to the new technology. Firefox is able to accomplish this by offering support for Manifest V2 and V3 at the same time.
Or if you want to try something else, you can always utilize a VPN with ad-blocking services. NordVPN is an easy one to recommend, thanks to its affordable plans and software that has impressive features. Of course, we again recommend looking at what’s out there, because the VPN landscape is very competitive.
Personally, I haven’t used ad-blocking software in a very long time, and the experience on the web hasn’t been all that bad. Sure, some ads can get a little annoying, but it’s nothing I can’t deal with. If you’re someone who uses an ad-blocker, chime in below in the comments with your thoughts. Will Google’s change make any difference to your daily experience?
