AdBlock Extension For Google Chrome by Mark8t
Google has finally released a new version of the Chrome Extension Manual. With this in mind, and the end of Adsweep project, we decided to re-release Mark8t’s Adblock for Chrome. The script uses the newest updates from Google Chrome and is simple to install. All you need to do is be using latest build of Chrome and install this file. We are still working to find a simple enable/disable function. For now, once our Google Chrome Adblock is installed, the only way to disable it is via chrome://extensions/ and clicking disable (such as below):
We welcome our more adventurous scripters (and users) to modify the code to allow for easier functionality with this code. In the end our view is simple (as we stated before): ”We know its a matter of time before an AdBlock for Chrome is created (and it has been), so we might as well be there first to find creative ways around it (hence our “fun” script). We support smart marketing, where annoying pop-up and distracting ads are not part of a website. That’s what this blog and our company is about.”
Enjoy the script! Please note it is BETA, so use at your own risk 
** Update, we were forgetful to thank Paul Fox for the basic script we used to build this thing. Thanks Paul**
** Updated to version 1.2**
Changes: Better handling of white space, quicker load, more blocks added.
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I’ve been a loyal Firefox user for a long time, but this gave me the extra kick I needed to really give Chrome a chance. But there’s a problem, this extension adds a permanent bar to the bottom of your browser with a link to advertise mark8t. Unless there is a way to remove that stupid bar and advertisement, I’ll stick with Firefox. Thanks anyways.
There is no problem. The new Google Extension format adds a very small button to the bottom bar. Its hardly noticeable and hardly an advertisement. It’s called a “toolstrip”, and most Google Extensions will have them. What the “toolstrip” allows is more functionality (which can be added in later versions) and it allows the user to know they have the Mark8t Adblock enabled. I also felt a link back to our site is a fair trade for the work we did and an ad-free browsing experience. You are free to modify the script as you see fit. It is not encoded. Personally, I don’t see this as a reason not to try Chrome. Chrome is a great browser.
I read Josh’s comment, but I tried the add-on anyway. Works as advertised and the button on the bottom toolbar is small. A link back is a more then a fair price for ad-free surfing. Thanks Mark8t!
I appreciate the quick response. Don’t you find it hypocritical for an ad blocker to be adware? Don’t take that the wrong way, I do understand your reasoning for wanting a link back to your site. You have every right to include this “toolstrip” with your free extension. I was just explaining why I won’t use it.
One of the biggest things I like about Chrome is the minimal interface which includes a status bar that autohides. Your extension adds a status bar, but it’s an additional one since the regular pop-up status bar appears above it. I also like Chrome’s clean look.
But Firefox is so customizable that I can enjoy all these features with a couple add-ons. Here’s a screenshot of my Firefox: http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/1460/firefoxkq.png
Rather than adding a toolbar to the bottom of the browser, could you not add a button to the navigation bar or something?
Hi Joshua,
Thank you for your comments. I don’t think our position is hypocritical, let me explain. I don’t find a small text link to be considered adware. We do not track users, nor do we serve any ads. Their is a small text link back to our site. No different than any “about us” link in any software. The idea of the “toolstrip” is not ours, it is Google’s. We were following their documentation. More importantly, though, is why this extension was created. We are a marketing blog for small business and amateur webmaster. Most of these sites use ads to fund themselves. Some do a better job then others when using ads. We decided to be one of the first to create an Adblock for Chrome and to show users how to work within the new environment of Adblock. This is surely not the first nor last Adblock extension that will come out for Google Chrome.
Originally the extension had no notification at all, but we found this to be undesirable. Why? Because most people we thought would forget they had adblock on (even we did), or would not recall where they got it. They might want to ask questions or seek support, hence the link back. Furthermore, this is early in the Google’s extension process, and at the same time we are not primarily coders. We were quick to put out this extension, but it does not mean we will not modify it in the future (like create an easier on/off switch). Personally, I felt the navigation bar was too full already, so I am not sure how I feel about moving it there. But then again this is the beauty of Chrome and extensions. Our extension is open source, and written in Javascript. Its not that hard to modify, so if you want to tinker around with it, be our guest
I understand. Thanks for your effort, and thanks for the additional information. I didn’t realize Chrome extensions were open source. As for the ad blocking capabilities, it seems pretty good, but still not as good as Firefox’s Adblock. Take a look at these screenshots.
Firefox with Adblock: http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/4425/firefoxwithadblock.png
Chrome with Adblock clone: http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/7236/chromewithadblockchrome.png
The ads were removed, but the space the ads used up remains. Anyways, great extension to help out Chrome. I’ll stick with Firefox for the time being.
Hi Joshua,
Thanks for the feedback. We will look into making some tweaks. The only thing that I think is good about the white space is you see where things were blocked. We will look at making it possible to hide it. If you can’t wait, and you want something more up your alley, try http://adsweep.org/. They have stopped development, but it gives you what you want.
We have made some important upgrades, so things should work better.
I am using version 3.0.195.21 of Google Chrome, but it says “Extensions Not Enabled” when I downloaded your file. How do I enable?
Please note, Extensions are only enables in the “Dev” version. So if you want to get access to extensions before they are enabled to the general public you need to download the Chrome Channel Switcher. Save/Run the application and change your channel to ‘Dev’. Start Google Chrome & Click the ‘Wrench’ icon, then ‘About’ and then ‘Check For Updates’ and wait for the update to finish. This would get the latest Dev Version of Chrome installed. There you go. Please note once you upgrade to Dev the only way back is to uninstall and reinstall.
Hi, great stuff!
..but, in my country (Norway) an AD is called “annonse”,
so I need to put in some localized strings to the filter.
Are there any description to the syntax used in the adblock.js file?
..or is it possible to move the filter strings into a file of its own that could be read by the js?
Our file adblock .js is open-source, no tricks, just follow the formatting in the file. I am sure you could add filter into a separate file, but our intent for the creation of the extension for Chrome was a proof of concept. It was a spare time/hobby project, so we are open to others developing it further
Good ‘ol AdBlock+ has made it to Chrome.
http://www.chromeextensions.org/appearance-functioning/adblock/
We knew this day would come. It was only a matter of time. It will be interesting to see how they modify it to make it work in the Chrome universe. Thanks for the post.
@Joshua
Hi Joshua, try ‘ctrl + alt + b’ together to hide the toolstrip in Chrome.
Dear Mark8t (and Joshua),
I don’t know who you are, what god you pray to, or what you do for a living, but you have made my night. A few minutes ago I searched for an ad-blocking extension on chrome after deciding to give the new(-ish) browser a shot, and stumbled onto this page. Maybe I have spent too much time in front of my computer, maybe I should be working harder on my schoolwork, maybe it’s the approaching holiday season, or maybe I just need more sleep, but I seriously almost burst into tears reading these comments.
There was the initial brief, borderline-hostile feedback from Joshua, followed by a somewhat terse but still polite, explanatory, and prompt response from Mark8t Staff. I read on, expecting this display of relative online civility to devolve into short bursts of insults quickly. Instead I scrolled down to find a series of shockingly courteous and well-formatted comments, with both parties making constructive suggestions and actually ending with a seemingly intractable yet cordial and kind disagreement.
Seriously, I cannot believe that the most encouraging exchange I have seen in some time — a digital conversation that gives me hope for humanity, arose between an ad-blocking user criticizing an e-marketing blog’s release of ad-blocking software, and the e-marketing blog representative who was defending their ad-blocking extension and even encouraging the user to modify it to more effectively hide advertisements.
Thank you for making my day/night, and I wish you the best.
Hi Dan,
Thanks for the kind comments. We really hope you find our Adblock Extension useful–our goal was of the purest intention. We knew Adblock would come, and we hate annoying ad-filled sites too. We basically created an extension for ourselves, and offered it to others to use as they wish. Our blog/company is not your average marketing company. Even on our blog we try to do more then write about e-marketing, we have released fixes for iGoogle left nav issue, and introduced a custom Google toolbar button to use Bing when you feel like it. We hope that you take the chance to explore our site a bit more, or even subscribe to our blog posts. We even welcome article ideas. Thanks again for your kind comments and we hope to see you around