Key Points:
- Google Warns About Ad Blockers: Chrome users are urged to switch ad blockers due to upcoming changes.
- Manifest V3 Requirement: Older ad blockers relying on Manifest V2 will soon be obsolete.
- Incognito Shortcut on Android: Google Search app tests a new Chrome Incognito shortcut.
Google is warning Chrome users about their ad blockers. Though it’s not asking users to disable or uninstall these extensions, a significant update will render many ad blockers ineffective.
Why Is Google Chrome Warning About Ad Blockers?
Google is informing Chrome users about ad blocker extensions like uBlock Origin, stating, “This extension may soon no longer be supported.” Users are being directed to remove or replace these extensions with newer versions available on Chrome’s Web Store. These warnings also appear on Chrome’s Extensions page (chrome://extensions).
I don’t think non-tech people fully understand how big of a power grab Google is making here with Manifest v3.
It’s up there with some of the worst monopolistic behavior in the history of the internet. https://t.co/dVFPZDozq8— Not a Data Scientist (@isthisdata) August 2, 2024
The reason for this warning is that Google is preparing to make Manifest V3 mandatory for all extensions running on Chrome. Many popular ad blockers currently rely on the older Manifest V2, which will soon stop functioning on all versions of Chrome, including stable, dev, and Canary.
The Impact of Manifest V3 on Ad Blockers
Manifest V3 will significantly change how ad blockers operate. The new requirements ban “remotely hosted code,” which includes the filtering lists that ad blockers regularly update. Instead, these lists must be part of the main app or extension, undergoing Chrome Web Store’s review process. This change aims to enhance security but may complicate the development and approval of ad blockers.
Google isn’t eliminating ad blockers but is enforcing compliance with Manifest V3. This shift may make some older extensions useless unless updated to meet the new standards.
Google Search App Tests Incognito Shortcut on Android
In other news, the Google Search app on Android is testing a new shortcut for Chrome Incognito mode. This feature appears when users start a search directly in the Google app. The “Chrome Incognito” button, highlighted in a Dynamic Color pill with a logo, is positioned above the keyboard.
Upon initial use, Google explains that the “New Chrome incognito tab” is designed to ensure searches don’t appear in your Account history. Users can opt to not show this message again, and the button will open Google Chrome directly.
This shortcut is more prominent than the “New Chrome Incognito tab” found in the account menu accessed by tapping the profile avatar in the top-right corner. It joins other privacy features like “Delete last 15 minutes” with a single tap.
Currently, this shortcut is being tested with the latest Google app beta (version 15.31) for some users on Android, while the iOS Google app has a separate “Incognito mode” toggle that doesn’t redirect to Chrome.
