A browser extension to share data about your social feed with researchers and journalists to increase transparency.

Latest Version

Version
3.2.13 (ea4c344)
Update
November 8, 2022
Size
521KiB
Developer
adobserver.org
Category
Users
3,000+
Rating
5 ★
Manifest Version
3
Web Store Status
Languages Support
Deutsch
English
Español
See more
Permissions
Storage
UnlimitedStorage
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Ad Observer Extension

This tool allows you to contribute data about the ads you're shown to further the understanding of researchers, journalists, and the public of online political advertising and how personal data is used to target you with ads.

Ad Observer is offered by the Online Political Transparency Project of New York University. This extension was developed in partnership with the Algorithmic Transparency Institute.
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Source Manifest.json

{"update_url": "https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx", "homepage_url": "https://adobserver.org", "icons": { "16": "assets/icon16.png", "32": "assets/icon32.png", "48": "assets/icon48.png", "64": "assets/icon64.png", "128": "assets/icon128.png" }, "manifest_version": 3, "name": "Ad Observer", "short_name": "Ad Observer", "description": "A browser extension to share data about your social feed with researchers and journalists to increase transparency.", "version": "3.2.13", "version_name": "3.2.13 (ea4c344)", "default_locale": "en", "content_scripts": [ { "js": [ "preload/bundle.js" ], "matches": [ "*://*.facebook.com/*" ], "exclude_globs": [ "*://*.facebook.com/ads/archive*", "*://*.facebook.com/ads/library*" ], "run_at": "document_start" }, { "js": [ "ytpreload/bundle.js" ], "matches": [ "*://www.youtube.com/*" ], "run_at": "document_start" }, { "js": [ "content/bundle.js" ], "matches": [ "*://*.facebook.com/*", "*://www.youtube.com/*" ], "exclude_globs": [ "*://*.facebook.com/ads/archive*", "*://*.facebook.com/ads/library*" ], "run_at": "document_start" } ], "background": { "service_worker": "bundle.js" }, "permissions": [ "storage", "unlimitedStorage" ], "web_accessible_resources": [ { "resources": [ "webpage/*", "assets/runs_on_fb.js", "assets/runs_on_yt.js" ], "matches": [ "" ], "extension_ids": [] } ], "content_security_policy": { "extension_pages": "script-src 'self'; object-src 'self'" }, "action": { "default_popup": "toolbar/index.html", "default_title": "Ad Observer", "default_icon": "assets/icon128.png" }}
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How to download and manually install Ad Observer extension for Chrome

Looking for a way to install Ad Observer extensions for Chrome, you can search for them in the Chrome Web Store, clicking the "Add to Chrome" button, and following the straightforward process.

However, you may need to install Ad Observer extensions manually, this article outlines two simple methods to effortlessly install Ad Observer extensions, whether they come as unpacked folders in compressed formats like .zip or as .crx files.

Method 1: Download Ad Observer extension and manually install through Drag &Drop

If you ever need to manually install a Ad Observer extension for Chrome, don't worry, it's a simple process. Just follow these easy steps, and you will have your extension ready to use in no time.

Step 1: Download the Ad Observer Extension by clicking the "Download CRX" button on the website.

Look for the Ad Observer extension you wish to install. Go to the website and download the Ad Observer extension package, which is usually a .CRX file and comes in a zipped file. Here ".crx" file is the format for Ad Observer extension that contains all the data.

Step 2: Extract &Arrange Files

Once the file is downloaded, extract that file into its own folder. Similarly, give that extension files a permanent home. In other words, keep it in a folder that you don't accidentally delete it because these files will be needed to make that extension work.

Step 3: Go to the Chrome Extensions Page

Open Google Chrome and in the address bar, type chrome://extensions; it will open the Google Chrome extensions page. Make sure that "My extensions" is selected in the sidebar.

Step 4: Drag and Drop the Extension

Now, go to the folder where you extracted the Ad Observer extension and drag &drop the extension file from there anywhere onto the extension page within Google Chrome.

Step 5: Complete the Installation

Once you drag and drop the extension file, follow the steps that Google Chrome takes you through. Similarly, if the extension file is of .crx file format, you will be required to review the permissions and then add the extension.

Now, you can manage that added extension as you would like to with any other Chrome extension that you added through Chrome Webstore. Its icon will also appear in the Google Chrome Menu on the right side of the address bar once you activate it.

Method 2: Download Ad Observer extension for Chrome and install in Developer Mode

This is another method to install Ad Observer extension manually, but the twist is that here, you install by enabling the developer mode option provided in Google Chrome. This mode is commonly used for testing extensions or running unpublished tools.

Step 1: Download the Ad Observer extension file

Select and download the Ad Observer extension by clicking the 'Download CRX' button on the website.

Step 2: Extract the downloaded contents

Convert the file to a ZIP file if it is in CRX format then extract the Ad Observer extension zip file or folder that you downloaded. Make sure you extract it using the same folder name and keep it safely in another folder, so you don't delete it by mistake. The extracted folder will be needed to keep your Ad Observer extension running.

Step 3: Open Chrome Extension Setting Page

In the address bar of Google Chrome, type chrome://extensions and open the Chrome Extension Page.

Step 4: Enable Developer Mode

After opening the Chrome Extension page, look at the top right side, and you will find the toggle option of "Developer mode."Simply enable that developer mode option.

Step 5: Load the Unpacked Extension

Once you enable the developer mode option, you will see the menu of Load Unpacked, Pack Extensions and Update. From that, select the option "Load unpacked."

Step 6: Select the Extension Folder

Once the pop-up opens upon clicking Load unpacked, select the Ad Observer extension directory and click on the "Select Folder "button.

Step 7: Confirm and Install

After you select an extension folder of a Google Chrome extension you're installing manually, confirm its installation for the final time and let the installation complete.

Conclusion

Here we've made a step-by-step guide on How to manually install Ad Observer extension in 2 ways. We hope this guide proves helpful.

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User reviews

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HG (ID: 0000003dbfc0d0c7) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 05/26/2022 I am the weird one always reading T&C and tick off all the box to NO DON'T SAVE ANYTHING but it always annoys me they can collect and use if they want. Thank you so much and I strongly support your research!

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Andrew Ronding (ID: 0000009f001e34bb) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 01/27/2022 Very good idea, looking forward to what they discover.

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Gabriel Rivera (ID: 000000b6a4070acf) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 09/16/2020 I'm giving you a review to ask a question, since I can't find another way of doing it within the store. Of course, the amount of stars reflect how I feel at the moment about the extension. So here's the question: Will it work if I have Ublock Origin installed? Will you still see what you'd like to see?

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ConceptWiseAsia CWA TV (ID: 0000008427e8278b) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 09/10/2020 Fight the data miners.