Users using ad-blocking extensions on Chrome have some bad news for next year. This is because the browser should further limit the functioning of these tools throughout 2024 with the adoption of the new Manifest V3 format.
Initially, the project was launched in 2021 and we reported here in the second half of last year that it would be implemented in the browser. However, the company ended up backtracking for a moment after several complaints from people who use the program.
This “hiatus”, therefore, appears to have come to an end and Google should resume the format next year, just as it will discontinue the current Manifest V2 from June 2024. This way, all extensions that are compatible with it will not will be more available in the Web Store for installation.
The announcement of this resumption took place a few days ago and shows a more aggressive stance by Google against the operation of adblocks. Even so, the company says that corporate users will have an extra year of compatibility so they have time to look for some alternative apps compatible with Manifest V2.
As for developers, they must migrate their projects to Manifest V3 before June next year. According to the company, the change between formats will last around a month in browsers with pre-stable versions. This time will be used to test Manifest V3.
How does this affect ad blockers?
Manifest V2 works with a limit of filtering rules for extensions. The new format, finally, will have a limit of 30 thousand rules, which is much lower than the 300 thousand rules that uBlock Origin operates, for example. This item is essential because it directly affects the efficiency of the adblock.
What about other browsers?
Mozilla Firefox is another browser that will adopt this format, but does not intend to impose filtering limits on its extensions. Likewise, Brave is a browser that blocks ads by default and uses the same Chromium base as Chrome. However, the company stated that the functions are implemented in the browser itself and it must continue to block advertisements.