Chrome Browser Updates Coming to Prevent Unexpected Web Page Redirects

[MacRumors]

Google this week revealed some upcoming enhancements to its Chrome browser that aim to protect users from encountering unwanted content on the web, such as when a site unexpectedly redirects them to another page when they click on a video play button.

Google says that incidents of users being redirected by websites to unintended destinations are mentioned in 1 of every 5 Chrome feedback reports it receives, and it's now intent on putting a stop to the "abusive" behavior.

One piece of feedback we regularly hear from users is that a page will unexpectedly navigate to a new page, for seemingly no reason. We've found that this redirect often comes from third-party content embedded in the page, and the page author didn't intend the redirect to happen at all. To address this, in Chrome 64 all redirects originating from third-party iframes will show an infobar instead of redirecting, unless the user had been interacting with that frame. This will keep the user on the page they were reading, and prevent those surprising redirects.

Another example that Google says causes user frustration is when clicking a link opens the desired destination in a new tab, but the main window navigates to a different, unwanted page. The behavior is designed to circumvent pop-up blockers, but Google is planning a clampdown.

Staring in Chrome 65, the browser will detect this abusive behavior, trigger an infobar, and prevent the main tab from being redirected, allowing the user to continue on to their intended destination.

Lastly, starting in early January, Chrome's pop-up blocker will attempt put a stop to several other types of abusive experiences that are harder to detect, such as links to third-party websites disguised as play buttons or other site controls, or transparent overlays on websites that capture all clicks and open new tabs or windows.

To help site owners prepare for the changes, Google is launching the Abusive Experiences Report alongside other similar reports in the Google Search Console. These can be used by owners to see to see if any of the abusive experiences have been found on their site and help them improve their user experience.

Article Link: Chrome Browser Updates Coming to Prevent Unexpected Web Page Redirects

 

[TheloniousMac]

This will greatly improve your porn experience.

 

[thisisnotmyname]

Good. Now please allow us to block ALL autoplay like Safari does. That has been absolutely wonderful.

 

[GigabitEthernet]

What's happened to Chrome having a built in ad blocker?

 

[69Mustang]

What's happened to Chrome having a built in ad blocker?

It's still on schedule to launch early next year. It's already testing in Chrome builds.

 

[newyorksole]

This will greatly improve your porn experience.

Lmao literally came in to say the same. It’s so true tho.

 

[FelixDerKater]

Thank you!

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

Am I the only one who loves Pirate Bay's new technique for funding their website?

Instead of ads, they now run javascript on your device in the background which mines bitcoins for them. It seems perfectly fair to me - I'm on your website so I clearly get some value out of it, and you're getting some value out of me visiting. No obtrusive ads or pop ups to ruin my experience. No creepy tracking or anything.

People working on the website win. People visiting it win. Everyone wins.

 

[69Mustang]

This will greatly improve your porn experience.

You say greatly improve but how am I supposed to contact Molly who's only 2.3 miles away and looking to party? Asking for a friend.

 

[Shirasaki]

I do want to point out that most of those techniques are used for advertisements. Don’t know what the google is doing in here.

 

[AfzalivE]

Am I the only one who loves Pirate Bay's new technique for funding their website?

Instead of ads, they now run javascript on your device in the background which mines bitcoins for them. It seems perfectly fair to me - I'm on your website so I clearly get some value out of it, and you're getting some value out of me visiting. No obtrusive ads or pop ups to ruin my experience. No creepy tracking or anything.

People working on the website win. People visiting it win. Everyone wins.

Yes, you're the only one because that stuff makes your computer pretty unusable while the website is open and Chrome is using up 400% of your CPU while your laptop is heating up and you can't open anything and eventually can't even move the mouse.

 

[camelia]

Am I the only one who loves Pirate Bay's new technique for funding their website?

Instead of ads, they now run javascript on your device in the background which mines bitcoins for them. It seems perfectly fair to me - I'm on your website so I clearly get some value out of it, and you're getting some value out of me visiting. No obtrusive ads or pop ups to ruin my experience. No creepy tracking or anything.

People working on the website win. People visiting it win. Everyone wins.

everybody worried about Pirate Bay just like me huhuhuhu

 

[GhostRaider]

Finally. I’ve been waiting for this nonsense to stop. Let me download my heavily discounted software in peace!

 

[TsMkLg068426]

This will greatly improve your porn experience.

Maybe it will actually take us to the actual video lol.
[doublepost=1510336239][/doublepost]

You say greatly improve but how am I supposed to contact Molly who's only 2.3 miles away and looking to party? Asking for a friend.

TINDER lol.

 

[fairuz]

Am I the only one who loves Pirate Bay's new technique for funding their website?

Instead of ads, they now run javascript on your device in the background which mines bitcoins for them. It seems perfectly fair to me - I'm on your website so I clearly get some value out of it, and you're getting some value out of me visiting. No obtrusive ads or pop ups to ruin my experience. No creepy tracking or anything.

People working on the website win. People visiting it win. Everyone wins.

Wait, THAT'S why it took forever to load last time I went there? It's not "everyone wins" cause they're taking my CPU power, which takes electricity and slows down other tasks. Or if I wanted my CPU to be mining coins, I'd want them mining for me.

How come Safari still hasn't figured out how to block popups? I honestly can't recall that feature ever preventing a site from giving me popups.

 

[GigabitEthernet]

It's still on schedule to launch early next year. It's already testing in Chrome builds.

Can I try one of these builds? Many thanks.

 

[69Mustang]

Can I try one of these builds? Many thanks.

Sure. You need to download a Chrome Canary build. https://www.google.com/chrome/browser/canary.html **WARNING!!** Canary builds are named after "canary in the coal mine". They can and do break. Please don't do any important work using it. Fortunately you can run a Canary build right beside a regular stable build.

 

[twistedpixel8]

Will this only prevent redirects to pages outside the current domain? I frequently build websites where successful login auto-redirects to their account dashboard. Would be a shame if a new blocking modal breaks the fluidity of this.

Edit: only third-party domain redirects. Must have missed that in the article!

 

[Sill]

The redirect tactic this article refers to, is that the one where a popup window says "Congratulations iPhone Winner!!"? The one where it looks static, but its actually reloading itself hundreds of times so one can't just hold down the back button and select the previous page, bypassing the popup? The one that shows up on such a wide range of respectable sites that it must be some sort of hijack and not a properly coded ad?

WTH is it with that thing already?