The browser totally has zero to do with google ads. Totally no connection at all...

alxeder · 2025-08-11T08:47:01 1754902021

the browser did limit the capabilities of adblockers quite drastically lately, but this is surly a coincidence.

Arnt · 2025-08-11T12:55:34 1754916934

People keep saying that. There are two problems with that, namely ① Google's own ads are easy to block using the new API and ② the new API is effective at blocking various evil attacks. If Google wanted to get rid of ad blockers, I'm sure they could come up with an API that does a better job than that.

https://textslashplain.com/2024/10/13/content-blocking-in-ma... shows a ten-line ad blocker that blocks Google's ads, https://github.com/extesy/hoverzoom/discussions/670 is a list of polite email messages from people who'd like to have elevated access to browsers.

Rohansi · 2025-08-11T14:26:48 1754922408

Don't forget about YouTube!

crazygringo · 2025-08-11T14:42:12 1754923332

What about YouTube?

uBlock Origin Lite blocks YouTube ads just fine.

Rohansi · 2025-08-11T17:04:48 1754931888

Not for everyone.

Do you really think Google wouldn't do anything about as blockers? Especially now that no ads is one of the selling points of YouTube Premium?

crazygringo · 2025-08-11T19:13:55 1754939635

Have you tried? There's a strength setting to the extension. At max strength it's been blocking all YT ads for a while.

And it doesn't matter what I think about it. I'm giving you facts not opinions.

Arnt · 2025-08-11T13:17:18 1754918238

Well, maybe.

Personally I believe that the browser is intended to defend against e.g. Facebook's apps. Google wants to make sure that if you buy a new device and it comes with a Facebook app preinstalled, it also comes with a browser. And that the browser isn't controlled by anyone who'd like to disrupt any of Google's many nice income streams.