The often irksome auto-play videos emerging the moment you open a website are widely considered to be among the web’s most vexing elements. You know how it goes: without invitation, your usually serene environment suddenly fills with blaring noise erupting from your device. We’ve all been there, and it’s particularly mortifying when it happens in the workplace.
Internet heavyweights have been inundated with complaints from disgruntled users about this disruptive feature. Fortunately, one of them has now pledged to take substantive action. Google has announced that as of their Chrome 64 update, auto-play videos will be renounced unless users express an explicit desire for them by pressing the play button.
In a detailed blog post, Google further elaborated on the anticipated changes. These videos will only commence playing if the user has actively interacted with the website, saved the site on their home screen, or is a frequent visitor to the site who has often engaged with other media content. In these instances, Google may have limited scope to exert control, given the user’s apparent partiality towards the site and its content – auto-play videos included.
These alterations will be put into effect across all platforms where Chrome is utilised, whether desktop or mobile. As Google articulates, this sweeping change is driven by a commitment to enhancing user experience while concurrently diminishing data consumption.
Google’s communication did not end there. Chrome 63 is set to introduce an all-new feature providing users the ability to completely mute sites renowned for such irksome sounds. Google explains, “This site muting option will persist between browsing sessions, allowing users to customize when and where audio will play.”
Anticipate these long-awaited improvements to take effect from January 2018. This gives ample time for the affected sites to prepare and adjust their functionalities.
But that’s not all the new year holds in store for Chrome users. 2018 will also see the introduction of an ad-blocking feature aimed at thwarting unwelcome pop-up ads in-browser, marking another stride towards a more user-friendly browsing experience.
Chrome’s impending innovations paint a promising picture for the future of web browsing. By giving users more control over their online experience, Google is further solidifying its position as a responsive and adaptable tech giant.