My Thoughts on a Free Ad Blocker Chrome Extension

I recently came across a fascinating story about a developer who created a free ad blocker Chrome extension. They shared their work and asked for honest feedback, which got me thinking about the challenges and opportunities in the ad blocking space, especially for mobile users.

The Allure of a Free, Lightweight Ad Blocker

The extension focuses on blocking intrusive ads, faster page loading, and a simple, lightweight design with minimal permissions. These are all fantastic goals. Many users are wary of extensions that request excessive permissions or slow down their browsing experience. A lightweight, privacy-focused ad blocker is definitely appealing.

The developer's approach of building something for personal use and then sharing it with the community is also commendable. It often leads to more genuine and user-centric solutions. Plus, open feedback can drive development in very useful ways.

What Makes a Good Ad Blocker in 2025?

In today's landscape, an effective ad blocker needs to be more than just a simple filter. Here are some key considerations:

1. Comprehensive Blocking

The ad blocking landscape is constantly evolving. Websites are becoming more sophisticated in how they deliver ads, and ad networks are finding new ways to circumvent traditional blocking techniques. An ad blocker needs to stay ahead of the curve by:

• Regularly updating its filter lists: Maintaining up-to-date filter lists is crucial for blocking the latest ads and trackers. This requires constant monitoring and adaptation.
• Using multiple blocking methods: Combining different techniques, such as domain blocking, element hiding, and script blocking, can provide more comprehensive protection.
• Handling anti-ad blocking measures: Some websites actively try to detect and disable ad blockers. A good ad blocker needs to be able to circumvent these measures without breaking the website's functionality.

2. Performance and Resource Usage

No one wants an ad blocker that slows down their browsing experience or drains their battery. Performance is paramount. This means:

• Optimized code: The extension's code should be efficient and well-optimized to minimize resource usage.
• Minimal memory footprint: The extension should use as little memory as possible to avoid impacting browser performance.
• Lazy loading of resources: Resources should be loaded only when needed to reduce startup time and memory usage.

3. Privacy Protection

Privacy is a major concern for many users. An ad blocker should not only block ads but also protect users from tracking. This includes:

• Blocking tracking scripts: Preventing websites from tracking users' browsing activity.
• Removing tracking parameters from URLs: Stripping tracking parameters from URLs to prevent websites from identifying users.
• Blocking third-party cookies: Preventing third-party websites from setting cookies in the user's browser.
• Clear privacy policy: The extension should have a clear and transparent privacy policy that explains how user data is handled.

4. Customization and Control

Users should have the ability to customize the ad blocker to their specific needs and preferences. This includes:

• Allowlisting websites: Allowing users to disable ad blocking on specific websites.
• Custom filter lists: Allowing users to add their own custom filter lists.
• Element hiding rules: Allowing users to hide specific elements on a website.
• Detailed settings: Providing detailed settings for configuring the ad blocker's behavior.

5. User Experience

The ad blocker should be easy to use and understand. This includes:

• Simple and intuitive interface: The extension's interface should be clean and easy to navigate.
• Clear explanations of settings: Settings should be clearly explained so that users understand what they do.
• Helpful documentation: Providing helpful documentation and support resources.

DNS-Based Blocking vs. Browser Extensions: A Comparison

The developer chose to create a browser extension, but DNS-based blocking is another popular approach. Here's a comparison of the two:

DNS-Based Blocking

Pros:

• System-wide protection: Blocks ads in all apps and browsers on the device.
• No app installation required: Can be configured directly in the device's settings.
• Low resource usage: Minimal impact on battery life and performance.

Cons:

• Less customizable: Limited control over which ads are blocked.
• Cannot block YouTube ads: YouTube ads are served from the same domain as the video content, making them difficult to block with DNS.
• Requires technical knowledge: Setting up DNS-based blocking can be intimidating for some users.

Browser Extensions

Pros:

• More customizable: Greater control over which ads are blocked.
• Can block YouTube ads: Can use element hiding and script blocking to block YouTube ads.
• Easy to install: Can be installed with a few clicks from the browser's extension store.

Cons:

• Only works in specific browsers: Does not block ads in other apps or browsers.
• Can impact performance: Extensions can slow down browsing and drain battery life.
• Privacy concerns: Some extensions may collect user data or request excessive permissions.

My Perspective on the Chrome Extension

I think building a free, lightweight ad blocker is a worthwhile endeavor. The developer's focus on simplicity and performance is admirable. However, there are a few things I would consider:

1. Filter List Selection

The choice of filter lists is crucial. Using a combination of popular and well-maintained lists, such as EasyList, EasyPrivacy, and AdGuard filters, can provide comprehensive protection without being overly aggressive. It's also important to allow users to add their own custom filter lists.

2. Anti-Ad Blocking Measures

Many websites are now actively trying to detect and disable ad blockers. The extension needs to be able to circumvent these measures without breaking the website's functionality. This can be a challenging task, but it's essential for providing a consistent ad-free experience.

3. YouTube Ad Blocking

YouTube ads are a major pain point for many users. While DNS-based blocking cannot effectively block YouTube ads, browser extensions can use element hiding and script blocking to do so. Implementing YouTube ad blocking would significantly enhance the extension's value.

4. Privacy Considerations

It's crucial to be transparent about how user data is handled. The extension should have a clear and concise privacy policy that explains what data is collected, how it's used, and with whom it's shared. Minimizing the number of permissions requested is also important for building user trust.

5. Mobile Focus

While the extension is designed for Chrome, many users are increasingly browsing on their mobile devices. It would be interesting to explore ways to bring similar ad blocking functionality to mobile browsers, perhaps through a mobile browser extension or a DNS-based solution.

Ad Blocking on Mobile: Unique Challenges

Mobile ad blocking presents unique challenges compared to desktop ad blocking:

1. System-Wide Blocking

On mobile, users often want to block ads not just in the browser but also in other apps. This requires a system-wide ad blocking solution, such as a VPN-based ad blocker or a DNS-based ad blocker.

2. Battery Life

Mobile devices have limited battery life, so it's important to choose an ad blocking solution that doesn't drain the battery too quickly. DNS-based ad blockers are generally more battery-friendly than VPN-based ad blockers.

3. Data Usage

Ad blocking can significantly reduce data usage, which is especially important for users on limited data plans. By blocking ads, users can save 30-50% of their data on ad-heavy websites.

4. Operating System Limitations

iOS and Android have different limitations when it comes to ad blocking. On iOS, Apple restricts the capabilities of content blockers, making it more difficult to block ads effectively. On Android, users have more flexibility in choosing ad blocking solutions.

My Recommendations for Mobile Ad Blocking

For mobile ad blocking, I generally recommend using a DNS-based solution. It's free, easy to set up, and works system-wide. Here are some of my top picks:

NextDNS ⭐ Top Pick

Pros:

• Highly customizable blocklists
• Detailed analytics and logs
• Multiple device support
• Free tier available
• Excellent performance

Cons:

• Free tier has query limits
• Setup slightly more complex

Price: Free (300K queries/month) or $20/year unlimited

My Take: NextDNS is my go-to recommendation. It offers the perfect balance of power and usability. You can customize exactly what gets blocked, view detailed logs, and it just works.

AdGuard DNS

Pros:

• Very easy setup
• Good default blocklists
• Fast servers worldwide
• Family protection option

Cons:

• Less customizable than NextDNS
• Basic analytics

Price: Free

My Take: If you want something that "just works" without any configuration, AdGuard DNS is excellent. Set it up and forget about it.

Blokada (Android)

Pros:

• Open source
• No external VPN
• Highly customizable
• Free

Cons:

• Can be difficult to set up for non-technical users
• May require disabling battery optimization

My Take: Blokada is a great option for Android users who want a free and customizable ad blocker. It uses a local VPN to filter traffic, so it doesn't require routing your traffic through an external VPN server.

Final Thoughts

It's great to see developers contributing to the ad blocking community by creating free and open-source tools. The developer's Chrome extension has the potential to be a valuable resource for users who want to block intrusive ads and protect their privacy. By focusing on performance, privacy, and customization, the extension can provide a superior browsing experience. I hope they continue to develop it and incorporate feedback from the community.