Google Chrome is shutting down its current extension platform, Manifest v2, and replacing it with the latest version, Manifest v3. After several delays, Google has confirmed that the transition has resumed in June 2024 in beta versions of Chrome. Any extensions running Manifest v2 will now also lose their “featured” status in the Chrome Web Store.
Once the rollout is complete, you will no longer be able to download any Manifest v2 extensions from the Chrome Web Store. Any relevant extensions that you have installed will be automatically disabled. However, the level of testing required in the beta versions of Chrome during the transition phase means that it will not impact the majority of users for at least another month.
Manifest v3 was first announced in 2019, with Google stating its intention to improve the privacy, performance, and trustworthiness of the extension ecosystem. However, the switch has sparked controversy and scepticism within the tech community. This is because the changes won’t significantly enhance security, but they will impact content filtering, which is an essential process for ad blockers and anti-tracking extensions. Critics argue that, as the new system limits these tools, it will benefit Google, which derives about 77% of its revenue from advertising.
Many actively maintained extensions in the Chrome Web Store are already running Manifest v3, but users will need to seek alternatives to extensions running Manifest v2 before they are permanently disabled. This includes the most popular ad blockers, such as uBlock Origin.
Mozilla stated last year that it would support Manifest v3 to ensure cross-browser compatibility, but with some key differences in implementation that should allow ad blockers to continue to run unimpeded on Firefox. Users may therefore consider switching to Firefox, or another browser, in order to run the most effective ad blockers and tracking limiters.