The year 2019 began with an announcement by Google stating the changes to be made in ad-blocking extensions. It took the industry by storm. The article aims to give you an insight into the changes brought in by four adblockers that still stand firm for usage.
Changes made to ad blocker on Chrome
The proposed changes were announced at the beginning of the year, and the company has decided to stand by its decision. Supposedly the changes have been introduced owing to the consistent negative feedback that Google had been receiving over quite some time.
The introduction of Manifest V3 has made a few significant changes to Chrome’s extension system. Firstly, the permission system has been reformed completely and the operations of the ad blockers have registered modifications. For instance, advanced ad blockers like uBlock, Ghostery, etc. needed to seek Chrome’s webRequest API even before getting downloaded, to be able to block ads. Along with introducing Manifest V3, all the powers of webRequest API to be able to block a particular request have been diluted significantly.
Google also said that Chrome still reserves power to block unwanted ads and content; however, this will only be confined to subscribed users of the same. Google has kept insisting that steps have been taken to ensure Chrome security as pointed out by several security researchers and others. However, AdBlock chrome extensions have indicated this step leading to the usage of less efficient methods for adblocking.
Here, we have listed a few Chrome ad blocker that can be relied upon today.
Ghostery
Ghostery is one of the most popular ad blockers topping the list today. It has a slightly different way of operating and has proved extremely useful for its users. Its primary task is to serve as a tool to block web trackers. Along with this, it also offers an active ad blocker facility.
The most attractive feature of Ghostery is that one can specify the names of web trackers and ad types that one wants to restrict. Since everyone is not familiar with the terminology and idea of web trackers and ads that bombard over a website, Ghostery takes that extra step to break down even the most minute details of the types of web trackers and ads being employed.
AdGuard
AdGuard is another commonly used Chrome ad block extension. The extension is well equipped in effectively blocking unwanted content from video streaming sites, web pages, and other social networking sites. Apart from this, it also tracks pop up and pop-under ads to allow the convenience of the users.
It is a lightweight extension and comes with additional features of blocking the installation of adware, nefarious software and malware, which pose a considerable threat to the health of your system. It also monitors and prevents any traces of tracking by malware. One of the advantages it offers as compared to the other blockers is the fact that it significantly enhances the web browsing experience through fastening the speed. It is one of the best AdBlock for chrome.
AdBlock Plus
AdBlock Plus has been a pioneer in the industry for quite some time now. It is also referred to as the grandpa of ad blockers today. It is one app that offers a comprehensive range of facilities like blocking banner ads, video pre-roll ads, social networking ads, and so on.
It comes with a user-friendly interface. Similar to Ghostery, it allows you to customize your filter list, thereby giving you the facility to block out precisely the ads that you are unwilling to receive. Additionally, it has a facility of whitelisting your favorite sites where you want to see ads. In case you have conflicts with the app’s definition of acceptable ads, you have the control to turn them off completely.
Chrome Adblocker
Apart from the massive variety of adblockers available online, Chrome has its own built-in ad-blocking software as well. Google is one of the founders of the Coalition for Better Ads. The Chrome adblocker is carefully designed to block all the given content and ads that do not comply with the Coalition. It is because of this that the ad blocker continues to function efficiently even after the introduction of Manifest V3.
This AdBlock in google chrome lets you receive the ads that are found relevant to you and are targeted to your interests. Therefore, this doesn’t necessarily imply that you will be able to receive fewer ads.
