Question On may 31th 2025 Chrome disabled Mv2 extensions, a year has gone. How did it impact your favorite extensions?

[LinuxFan58]

Okay, I know you could run Mv2 extensions longer with flags and policy tweaks and tricks, but I am interested how this restriction impacted your favourite extension, a few examples:

AdGuard Mv3 seems to do the same as AsGuard Mv2 (at least for my use cases), same applies to Privacy Badger and Ghostery.

NoScript Mv3 seems to do the same as old Mv2 Noscript (and even more it now also filters WebAssembly)

uMatrix was already abandoned but with NVT ApiVod Script Stop we have uMatrix like simplicity combined with uBo Mv2 (advanced) dynamic filtering.

uBlockoriginlite started as (very limited) lite version, but in the last months it has added a lot of extra functions (first DNR rules, next Cosmetic Rules, later Procedural filtering and now it is also started to implement scriptlets).


What extensions do you miss on Mv3 which you were using as Mv2 version (and why)?

 

[Parkinsond]

Surfing extensionless; mv2, 3, 4, does not matter anymore.

 

[LinuxFan58]

That is what I thought, it was a storm in a glas of water.

 

[Marko :)]

Guys... MV2, MV3, MV4, MVx—it doesn't matter. What matters and what essentially limited the functionality of popular extensions was restricting webRequestBlocking permission and that wasn't side effect of adopting MV3, rather than Google's decision to limit the power of extensions (what they can block and how).
If Google wanted, they could totally keep entire functionality of MV2 extensions with MV3. Considering ad blockers became very capable and it was affecting their business model, they had to restrict them somehow and limit their ability to block ads. Google's goal is to completely eradicate ad blockers and they are actively doing this, but they can't do it at once without breaking all other extensions.

The biggest limitation is filter updates on which all ad blockers rely to actively fight ads. Now with filters being updated with extension, they aren't as effective as they used to be due to Google intentionally delaying extension updates. It will only get worse as time goes by. Personally, I'm not affected as I moved to Firefox and I couldn't care less. But for those that use Chrome and will want ad blockers to work, sooner or later they'll have to say goodbye.

 

[oldschool]

Privacy Badger MV3 on Chrome has issues with Google link redirects, especially in Incogito mode.
Google link tracking redirect removal is broken in Incognito in MV3 · Issue #3062 · EFForg/privacybadger
Blocking webRequest use case: DNR unable to properly redirect based on URL parameters · Issue #302 · w3c/webextensions

µBOL and the rest work ok AFAIC since I don't put much time or energy in ad and tracker blocking. I've adopted @Kees1958's "less is more" strategy.
GitHub - Kees1958/W3C_annual_most_used_survey_blocklist: This blocklist is based on published surveys of most used advertising and tracking technology

 

[Sampei.Nihira]

uBo and AG are wide-spectrum blockers.
All other ad blockers are basic blockers and don’t meet the requirements I’m looking for.

Considering that AG + Chrome lowers the score in the Speedometer 3.1 test compared to uBo, I’ll have to check whether it’s better—again, for my needs—to use another browser + uBo or stick with Chrome + AG.

So, for me, MV3 vs. MV2 is just a matter of speed and "fuel" consumption, the extension updates too often compared to its MV2 counterpart.

 

[Zero Knowledge]

My uBlock MV2 is still working on EDGE, or is it? Haven't checked, still seems to work! I get random crashes but it reloads with a click on the balloon button.

 

[LinuxFan58]

My uBlock MV2 is still working on EDGE, or is it? Haven't checked, still seems to work! I get random crashes but it reloads with a click on the balloon button.

The code (facilitating WebRequest) is probably stil available in Chromium (forks). Brave has limited it to a few popular extensions (but why they inclue NoScript and AdFuard beats me, because the Mv3 versions seem to be as effective as the Mv2 versions, except for update of filterlists as @Marko :) posted)

 

[LinuxFan58]

The biggest limitation is filter updates on which all ad blockers rely to actively fight ads. Now with filters being updated with extension, they aren't as effective as they used to be due to Google intentionally delaying extension updates.

Although your observation addresses a valid point: static rules are updated only at extension update (while dynamic rules can be updated on-demand). In most real wordl scenario's this limitation is not hindering the adblockers. Some extensions update once a week and others use the dynamic rules (max of 30.000) to trickle updates in between extension updates.

Also most advertisements are placed automatically through bidding mechanisms by advertising platforms. Although the ads differ this underlying mechanism is realized through software services. It takes some time and money to change these mechanisms, but a lot of effort to regression test this critical money making infrastructure. Ironically the limitation of Mv3 filter updates and the cost involved in changing these mechanisms have shown a decrease in change intervals (making it easier for filter maintainers).

Only anti-adblocking services and big tech firms (like Amazon and Google) who control both the infrastructure and the customer facing portal tend to change these mechanisms regularly, but this is not something what changes in days but is closer to monthly changes. As an example these 5 scriptlet injections rules (way less than for instance AdGuard or uBo* have in their filters, when you look into their Github filters) effectively block in-video ads on youtube.com for at least 5 weeks now (both AG Mv3 and Brave Adblocker chew these uBo scriptlets, but their standard filters already have their own variants).

youtube.com##+js(json-prune, playerResponse.adPlacements playerResponse.playerAds playerResponse.adSlots adPlacements playerAds adSlots)
youtube.com##+js(set, ytInitialPlayerResponse.playerAds, undefined)
youtube.com##+js(set, ytInitialPlayerResponse.adPlacements, undefined)
youtube.com##+js(set, ytInitialPlayerResponse.adSlots, undefined)
youtube.com##+js(trusted-replace-fetch-response, '"adPlacements"', '"no_ads"', player?)

Meaning uBol or AG Mv3 will have no problem reacting on changes in youtube.com adplacements (it may take one or two days to react, but that is all).

___
Note* Brave also uses uBo filters (whiich you find on Github Assets)

 

[Sorrento]

I hasn't really affected me (yet) as I use Firefox/Wolf & only have Edge on as its to much trouble to remove it little has changed, Ghostery seems to do a pretty good job if i use Edge.

 

[SeriousHoax]

I am not affected by it yet thanks to Microsoft Edge. However, I can even import my own MV2-based custom filter into AdGuard MV3, so it seems I will probably not be heavily affected by it when MV2 is killed off permanently since MV3 AdGuard is not too bad. Let's see.

 

[LinuxFan58]

I am not affected by it yet thanks to Microsoft Edge. However, I can even import my own MV2-based custom filter into AdGuard MV3, so it seems I will probably not be heavily affected by it when MV2 is killed off permanently since MV3 AdGuard is not too bad. Let's see.

But you can code and write filter rules (even Cloudflare ZT Github automations ), but for people without coding skills Brave has a nice option.

 

[lokamoka820]

Personally, nothing blocks ads on Arabic video streaming sites except uBlock Origin. Even Brave Shields is ineffective against them, with uBlock Origin Lite coming in second place. I've tried every possible solution without success, including importing uBlock Origin's filter lists into the built-in ad-blockers of Brave and Vivaldi, but they do not work as effectively as the extension. Therefore, I believe it is my only viable solution, regardless of which browser I use.

 

[Parkinsond]

Personally, nothing blocks ads on Arabic video streaming sites except uBlock Origin. Even Brave Shields is ineffective against them, with uBlock Origin Lite coming in second place. I've tried every possible solution without success, including importing uBlock Origin's filter lists into the built-in ad-blockers of Brave and Vivaldi, but they do not work as effectively as the extension. Therefore, I believe it is my only viable solution, regardless of which browser I use.

Developers do not pay much attention to arabic sites; Russian language rules are the largest in uBO; Arabic language rules may be the smallest in number.

 

[SeriousHoax]

you can code

Vibecoder.

Personally, nothing blocks ads on Arabic video streaming sites except uBlock Origin. Even Brave Shields is ineffective against them, with uBlock Origin Lite coming in second place. I've tried every possible solution without success, including importing uBlock Origin's filter lists into the built-in ad-blockers of Brave and Vivaldi, but they do not work as effectively as the extension. Therefore, I believe it is my only viable solution, regardless of which browser I use.

You should report them here if you haven't already. Both uBO and AdGuard team always try to reproduce on their end and will try to solve it if possible. They may also need additional data from you if they can't reproduce properly. Previously I have captured HAR log files and shared to AdGuard which helped them to solve similar issues

GitHub - uBlockOrigin/uAssets: Filter lists for uBlock Origin & uBlock Origin Lite

Filter lists for uBlock Origin & uBlock Origin Lite - uBlockOrigin/uAssets

github.com

GitHub - AdguardTeam/AdguardFilters: AdGuard Content Blocking Filters

AdGuard Content Blocking Filters. Contribute to AdguardTeam/AdguardFilters development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

 

[lokamoka820]

You should report them here if you haven't already. Both uBO and AdGuard team always try to reproduce on their end and will try to solve it if possible. They may also need additional data from you if they can't reproduce properly. Previously I have captured HAR log files and shared to AdGuard which helped them to solve similar issues

GitHub - uBlockOrigin/uAssets: Filter lists for uBlock Origin & uBlock Origin Lite

Filter lists for uBlock Origin & uBlock Origin Lite - uBlockOrigin/uAssets

github.com

The extensions are good, although AdGuard is sometimes detected. I wish their lists were compatible with ABP syntax so I could import them instead of installing the extensions.

 

[Digmor Crusher]

Have you tried this in Brave's filter lists?

 

[Parkinsond]

Have you tried this in Brave's filter lists?View attachment 297928

It is the very same easylist Ar one in uBO and uBOL.

 

[lokamoka820]

Have you tried this in Brave's filter lists?View attachment 297928

Yes, with no success. What surprises me now is that all uBlock Origin filters are already included in Brave Shields, so I can't understand why the results are different.

adblock-resources/filter_lists/list_catalog.json at master · brave/adblock-resources

Custom resources and scriptlets used for Brave's adblocker - brave/adblock-resources

github.com

 

[Parkinsond]

Yes, with no success. What surprises me now is that all uBlock Origin filters are already included in Brave Shields, so I can't understand why the results are different.

adblock-resources/filter_lists/list_catalog.json at master · brave/adblock-resources

Custom resources and scriptlets used for Brave's adblocker - brave/adblock-resources

github.com

uBO even the light version implements certain element blocking not available for Brave adblocker or even Ghostery, which both let popups slip past.