How is the ad blocker market changing with new browser policies and tech regulations?
You’re totally right — Chrome’s Manifest V3 update limits what extensions can block, so a lot of them lost functionality. That’s why some developers are moving toward standalone desktop blockers that work outside the browser sandbox. I read an explanation on how Adblock360 is not malware, and it actually mentioned that this change was one reason they went the system-level route instead of sticking to browser add-ons. Makes sense given all the new restrictions.
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I stopped using Chrome altogether because of stuff like this. Switched to Firefox and Brave — they’re still more flexible when it comes to blocking scripts and trackers. Honestly, I think the whole “browser policy” thing is becoming less about security and more about keeping ads alive. It’s not a huge deal for regular users, but it definitely shifts the balance toward paid tools and away from open-source solutions.
I’ve noticed that some ad blockers I used for years don’t work as well anymore, especially on Chrome. A few sites that used to be completely clean are now showing ads again. I read somewhere it has to do with the browser changing how extensions work — something about a new “Manifest” thing? Not sure I fully get it. Do you think these browser restrictions will kill off free blockers, or will they adapt somehow?