Could Google Chrome new ad blocker update have a big effect on torrent sites?
GOOGLE CHROME users will soon be getting a new update to download that could change the way they browser the internet forever.
Google Chrome fans will be able to download a new ad blocker update that lets them mute entire websites.
Within a few clicks, Google Chrome users will be able to mute adverts that automatically plays video or audio thanks to a brand new incoming feature.
Google’s Francois Beaufort took to Google+ to reveal the brand new feature that the Google Chrome team is working on.
In a screenshot he shared, you can see that you’ll be able to click ‘Info’ or ‘Secure’ label on the left of the URL you’re visiting to access the feature.
This will open a pop-up menu and in it will be a new Sound option that lets you mute any and all sounds from the particular website.
The feature, which was reported by 9to5Google, will be useful when visiting websites that automatically play videos.
Also this summer Google announced they would be launching the Google Chrome ad-blocking features in early 2018.
The upcoming Google Chrome feature won’t block every advert, but will block ones that are deemed unacceptable.
The group that decides this is known as the Coalition for Better Ads, which includes Google, Facebook, News Corp, and The Washington Post.
This includes things such as pop-up adverts and ads that expand on their own.
Describing the upcoming feature, Google said: “Chrome has always focused on giving you the best possible experience browsing the web.
“For example, it prevents pop-ups in new tabs based on the fact that they are annoying.
“In dialogue with the Coalition and other industry groups, we plan to have Chrome stop showing ads (including those owned or served by Google) on websites that are not compliant with the Better Ads Standards starting in early 2018.”
Google is also set to introduce an option for website visitors to pay websites directly – in compensation for the adverts they're blocking.
Dubbed Funding Choices, Google has been testing a similar feature for some time, but it hopes a next-generation of the model will be ready to roll-out alongside its blanket ban on adverts.
One set of websites that have been left fearing for their future in light of the upcoming Google Chrome ad-blocker is torrent sites.
Chrome is the world’s most popular browser, and the leading browser for many torrent websites.
The upcoming ad blocker is expected to have a big effect on torrent sites and the revenue they bring in.
The owner of one torrent site, who did not want to be named, told TorrentFreak that the Google Chrome ad blocker could signal the end of torrents.
They said: “The torrent site economy is in a bad state. Profits are very low. Profits are f***** compared to previous years.
“Chrome’s ad-blocker will kill torrent sites. If they don’t at least cover their costs, no one is going to use money out of his pocket to keep them alive.
“I won’t be able to do so at least.”
