The world’s favorite web browser will undergo a major change in 2024. Specifically, it could affect how your Google Ad Blocker will work in the future!

The new change could bog down your online browsing experience with a barrage of ads. On the other hand, the longer transition period could give developers enough time to make ad blockers more private than ever before.

This article will explain the Manifest V3 update will change how your Google Ad Blocker works. Also, we will discuss how it promises to improve other features and how the update will roll out.

What is a web browser manifest?

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The word “manifest” may seem intimidating, but we could define it in layman’s terms. It is a shorthand for the manifest.json file, one of the browser extension’s building blocks.

For example, let us say you use the Grammarly browser extension daily. The manifest serves as a user guide on what it could change in Chrome while it is active:

• Displayed name and version
• The extension’s author
• Requested permissions for types of data
• Displayed icons
• What CSS and JS files to load and when

The current version of Chrome runs Manifest V2. However, Google recently announced the upcoming release of Manifest V3, and developers have expressed concerns about it.

What is Manifest V3?

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Google unveiled the new manifest version in 2019 as a new capabilities and permissions framework for Chrome extensions.

The company explained that it would limit extension access to user network requests. Back then, extensions could take those requests and modify them.

For example, your Google Ad Blocker works by simply following your request to stop online ads. Soon, Manifest V3 will require Google Extensions to ask permission from Chrome first.

As a result, network request modifications will not come from the extensions. The browser will ask the user’s permission before the extensions can implement changes.

It would also force developers to include every function within their extensions. As a result, it would keep them from hosting code remotely.

In other words, Google extensions will not rely on code outside of Chrome to function. Also, dedicated service workers will replace their background pages. 

Google hopes it will improve browser performance. However, Manifest V3 could make it difficult for your Google Ad Blocker to remain effective. 

The upgrade will require ad blockers to ask permission from Chrome before they can do anything. As a result, Chrome might prevent them from blocking ads.

Manifest V3 Timeline

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Google gave developers time to prepare by moving the Manifest V3 release date to 2024. It will release Chrome 112 in January 2023, and try turning off Manifest V2 extensions.

Also, extensions must use Manifest V3 to keep their Featured badge. If your Google Ad Blocker has one, you might be one of the first to experience V3.

The experiment would deactivate extensions in Beta, Canary, and Dev channels. In June 2023, Google will release Chrome 115 and switch off Manifest V2 extensions for all channels.

Moreover, the Chrome Web Store will no longer allow Manifest V2 items to have Public visibility. Instead, theirs will change into Unlisted. 

In other words, you may find it harder to redownload your Google Ad Blocker if it does not change for V3. Still, the Chrome team assures users that it will work with extension developers to ensure a smooth transition.

Conclusion

Some Google Ad Blocker companies like AdGuard have tried adjusting to Manifest V3. However, they warned that it came with a few issues. 

It said that users would not feel any differences with the upgrade. Yet, some may notice their ads flickering because the extension needs time to apply changes.

Is it time to use another web browser, or should you feel confident about the upcoming changes? The best thing to do is to be up-to-date with the latest news, and you can start by reading more Inquirer Tech articles.