Google Chrome, the most widely used web browser in the world on both mobile and desktop, is preparing to deliver a major blow to ad blockers. The browser is set to enter a new era with significant changes focused on privacy, security, and performance.

What Changes Will Manifest V3 Bring to Google Chrome?

The protocol used by extensions to communicate with the browser, which allows for significant restrictions on their features, known as Manifest V2, will soon be replaced by Manifest V3. This marks the end for many ad blockers that were previously allowed.

Google announced that it will start phasing out Manifest V2 in June of this year. This process will initially begin with Chrome’s Beta, Dev, and Canary channels and will be rolled out to all Google Chrome versions once ready. This could signify the end for extensions like AdBlock and uBlock Origin.

What Can You Do? How Will the Process Unfold?

Firstly, it’s worth noting that Google has already started rolling out changes for ad blockers even before Manifest V3 is fully implemented. For instance, searching for “uBlock” on the Chrome extensions page reveals that despite its millions of users, it does not appear on the first page. Google has even stopped showing such ad blockers in the ‘Featured’ section.

At this stage, users wanting to use ad blockers are left at the mercy of how strictly Google implements Manifest V3. While officially disallowed extensions can still be installed using developer mode, the company currently chooses to overlook this for some extensions.

A challenging decision-making process lies ahead for Google. Considering that all major browsers except Firefox are Chromium-based, how far Google will go could set a precedent that affects users of other browsers as well. If Google adopts an overly aggressive policy during this transition, it risks losing a significant user base to competitors.

Feel free to share your thoughts on this issue in the comments.