Say goodbye to intrusive ads on Chrome starting February 2018

Tired of seeing those intrusive ads on Google Chrome?

The days of that kind of advertisements are now numbered after Google revealed that it would turn on the browser’s ad blocking function on February 15 next year.

Non-compliant ads

Google announced back in June that it would be blocking ads on the browser that do not comply with standards but gave no date, saying it will only be in “early 2018.”

The announcement came after Google joined the Coalition for Better Ads.

The coalition’s website states that top international trade associations and companies involved in online media formed the group to improve consumers’ experience with online advertising.

VentureBeat said the coalition had established Better Ads Standards for online media. Thus, “full-page ad interstitials, ads that unexpectedly play sound, and flashing ads” are prohibited.

Google said Chrome would stop showing ads, including those owned or served by the company on websites, which do not comply with the coalition’s standards.

Google will be implementing ad-blocking for non-compliant ads. (Source)

TechCrunch, however, reported that not all ads would be blocked on websites. Only those that are “overly annoying and intrusive” will be barred.

“But it will be blocking all ads from sites where even one ad displayed on the site doesn’t meet those standards, even if the rest are technically in compliance,” TechCrunch said.

Meanwhile, VentureBeat said the date set for the start of the ad-blocking feature on Google Chrome is not connected to an upcoming version – Chrome 64 will launch in January while Chrome 65 will roll out in March.

Just recently, Google said users of Google Chrome can now mute autoplay videos on websites.

What’s next?

Google Chrome will start blocking ads that are considered annoying and do not follow standards beginning February 15, 2018.

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DISCLAIMER: This article expresses my own ideas and opinions. Any information I have shared are from sources that I believe to be reliable and accurate. I did not receive any financial compensation in writing this post, nor do I own any shares in any company I’ve mentioned. I encourage any reader to do their own diligent research first before making any investment decisions.