Clearly, Google is serious about trying to oust ad blockers from its browser, or at least those extensions with fuller (V2) levels of functionality. One of the crucial twists with V3 is that it prevents the use of remotely hosted code – as a security measure – but this also means ad blockers can’t update their filter lists without going through Google’s review process. What does that mean? Way slower updates for said filters, which hampers the ability of the ad-blocking extension to keep up with the necessary changes to stay effective.
(This isn’t just about browsers, either, as the war on advert dodgers extends to YouTube, too, as we’ve seen in recent months).
At any rate, Google is playing with fire here somewhat – or Firefox, perhaps we should say – as this may be the shove some folks need to get them considering another of the best web browsers out there aside from Chrome. Mozilla, the maker of Firefox, has vowed to maintain support for V2 extensions, while introducing support for V3 alongside to give folks a choice (now there’s a radical idea).
I would consider even jumping ship further away and don’t land on Firefox. They have their own concerning issues as of late. The more privacy minded people may be the only group that cares and that’s cool. I’m just adding that before you go to Mozilla check them out further and then decide if it fits you.
Maybe check out other browsers like Vivaldi, too. That is what I currently use now and have been satisfied with it. I use it on mobile and desktop.
Vivaldi is Chromium… Use a Firefox fork at least
@Amir @scout yes!
Seems like others in my world think similar as me so I’m good with my choice. You do you though. I was simply just recommending that maybe people should look beyond Firefox. If you don’t it doesn’t bother me. I’ll still sleep fine tonight.
You’re not looking “beyond” Firefox, you’re just staying on Chromium. As unfortunate as it is, your only options these days are Chromium, Firefox and Safari (MacOS exclusive). All Chromium browsers will stop supporting Manifest V3.
Vivaldi will not maintain compatibility with manifest v2, and will instead just rely on their inbuilt ad blocker.