uBlock Origin, the popular broad-content blocking browser extension, will soon no longer work with the Chrome browser. The reason being Google‘s impending move from Manifest V2 to Manifest V3 extension architecture.
At this stage, no one has definitely stated that all Chromium-based browsers will be affected but, considering these browsers generally share extensions designed for Chrome, it’s a pretty safe bet that they will also be affected.
NOTE: The uBlock Origin extension will continue to work as per normal with the Firefox browser
- You also might like: How To Whitelist A Website In An Ad Blocker
uBlock Origin Lite
While Manifest V3 is specifically designed to enhance security and performance this heightened security enforces the sacrifice of a content-blocker’s capabilities. Manifest V3 severely limits inspecting and modifying network requests and places restrictions on script injection required to block ads. Manifest V3 also makes the creation of complex filtering rules significantly more difficult.
uBlock Origin’s developer is currently working with a replacement, dubbed uBlock Origin Lite (or uBOL), that meets Manifest V3 requirements. “uBO Lite (uBOL) is a pared-down version of uBO with a best effort at converting filter lists used by uBO into a Manifest v3-compliant approach“.
Although already available please note that at the time of writing uBOL remains a work in progress.
- uBlock Origin Lite is available via the Chrome web store and also via the Edge store
Manifest V3 Timeline
What’s clouding the issue is Google‘s reluctance to set a firm timeline for deprecating Manifest V2 and transitioning to Manifest V3. On June 3rd, 2024 Google published an announcement that reads in part:
“Starting on June 3 on the Chrome Beta, Dev and Canary channels, if users still have Manifest V2 extensions installed, some will start to see a warning banner when visiting their extension management page informing them that some (Manifest V2) extensions they have installed will soon no longer be supported. This will be followed gradually in the coming months by the disabling of those extensions. Users will be directed to the Chrome Web Store, where they will be recommended Manifest V3 alternatives for their disabled extension” ~ <source>
One thing is certain, when Manifest V3 becomes the norm uBlock Origin will no longer work and users will need to find a viable alternative. Whether that alternative proves to be uBlock Origin Lite, only time will tell. To date, uBlock Origin Lite has been met with a mixed response, some users have panned the lack of custom filtering while many more have stated that they have not noticed any difference.
As the developer Raymond Hill has stated, “Whether you notice a difference or not will depend on the individual. In short, only you can tell“.
- Check out the uBlock Origin Lite Frequently Asked Questions
Are you a uBlock Origin user? Let us know your thoughts via the comments.
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Hi Jim
Use it and love it. I think a lot of us will likely move to Firefox so Chrome will just lose market share.
One thing I have learned since computing for more years now than not is that whatever these companies do there is always someone out there with a very clever workaround. I’d simply say “watch this space” because no-one likes the excessive advertising and tracking you get without a product like UBlock. Corporate tyrants rarely win out in the end !
Cheers
Reg
Hey Reg,
There’s already a registry hack that can extend support for uBlock Origin for a further 12 months. However, to my way of thinking, that is merely putting off the inevitable.
From what I have read; those users who don’t tend to employ uBlock Origin’s custom filtering feature are quite satisfied with uBlock Origin Lite.
Cheers mate
Amen
Use of ad blockers is a losing battle for the YouTube user. YouTube will give two warnings and then delete the user’s account after the third time. I have already had my first warning. No matter how sophisticated the ad blocker’s software is, YouTube/Google with its phenomenally superior resources will always win, at least temporarily. The user cannot just install a different extension blocker and move on until that blocker is discovered if the user’s account has already been deleted. It’s obviously not about YouTube wanting to give the advertisers a fair shot by forcing users to view a few short ads. It’s about forcing users to subscribe to that “premium” service for $14.99 a month after the ever increasing number and length of ads make the viewing experience intolerable. 2,500,000,000 x $14.99=a nice chunk of spare change each month. It wouldn’t take long for YouTube to suck in one trillion dollars if the goal of 100% subscriptions were to be realized.
Amen
For those wanting to use an ad blocker which supports Manifest V3, I suggest you try Ad Guard. There is a free version (I have been using the Pro for several years and recommend it). There is no portable version, sorry, but you can add extensions to many browsers and it also supports mobiles, Mindblower!
ah – I found your reco, Mindblower.
AdGuard AdBlocker.
please disregard my previous question. Thanks
Kindly let us know your thoughts on AdGuard, Mindblower!
hello MB and all.
As a follow-up, it has been a week since I installed AdGuard Adblocker and it seems to be working just fine.
I still have uBlock Origin (not the lite) and what I find interesting is that it still works (is on) on some sites and goes off for others. Right now I have five windows open. Both uBO and AdG are open on all sites except this one (Dave’s). Of course, AdG indicates NO blocks here 🙂
On all other opened windows, both uBO and AdG indicate blocks. However, the number of blocks are never the same on each web-site. Perhaps by design? Different filters? Don’t know but they are working.
Thanks Jim and MB. I have uBOL on future list!
Glad to hear Firefox will be spared.