Remove tracking elements from URLs.

Latest Version

Version
1.26.0
Update
November 18, 2022
Size
829KiB
Developer
clearurls.xyz
Category
Users
100,000+
Rating
3.68293 ★
Manifest Version
2
Web Store Status
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Permissions

WebRequest
WebRequestBlocking
Storage
UnlimitedStorage
ContextMenus
WebNavigation
Tabs
Downloads
See more

ClearURLs Extension

This extension will automatically remove tracking elements from URLs to help protect your privacy when browse through the Internet.

Many websites use tracking elements in the URL (e.g. https://example.com?utm_source=newsletter1&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=sale) to mark your online activity. All that tracking code is not necessary for a website to be displayed or work correctly and can therefore be removed—that is exactly what ClearURLs does.

Another common example are Amazon URLs. If you search for a product on Amazon you will see a very long URL, such as: https://www.amazon.com/dp/exampleProduct/ref=sxin_0_pb?__mk_de_DE=ÅMÅŽÕÑ&keywords=tea&pd_rd_i=exampleProduct&pd_rd_r=8d39e4cd-1e4f-43db-b6e7-72e969a84aa5&pd_rd_w=1pcKM&pd_rd_wg=hYrNl&pf_rd_p=50bbfd25-5ef7-41a2-68d6-74d854b30e30&pf_rd_r=0GMWD0YYKA7XFGX55ADP&qid=1517757263&rnid=2914120011

Indeed most of the above URL is tracking code. Once ClearURLs has cleaned the address, it will look like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/exampleProduct

All functions in a nutshell
* Removes tracking from URLs automatically in the background
* Blocks some common ad domains (optional)
* Has a built-in tool to clean up multiple URLs at once
* Supports redirection to the destination, without tracking services as middleman
* Adds an entry to the context menu so that links can be copied quickly and cleanly
* Blocks hyperlink auditing, also known as ping tracking
* Prevents tracking injection over history API
* Prevents Google from rewriting the search results (to include tracking elements)
* Prevents Yandex from rewriting the search results (to include tracking elements)
* Badgeds to show the currently blocked elements
* Supports optional logging
* Supports export/import of settings
* Has a donate button
Read more

Source Manifest.json

{"update_url": "https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx", "manifest_version": 2, "name": "ClearURLs", "version": "1.26.0", "author": "Kevin Roebert", "description": "__MSG_extension_description__", "homepage_url": "https://docs.clearurls.xyz", "default_locale": "en", "content_security_policy": "script-src 'self'; object-src 'none'", "icons": { "16": "img/clearurls_16x16.png", "19": "img/clearurls_19x19.png", "20": "img/clearurls_20x20.png", "24": "img/clearurls_24x24.png", "30": "img/clearurls_30x30.png", "32": "img/clearurls_32x32.png", "38": "img/clearurls_38x38.png", "48": "img/clearurls_48x48.png", "64": "img/clearurls_64x64.png", "96": "img/clearurls_96x96.png", "128": "img/clearurls_128x128.png" }, "browser_action": { "browser_style": true, "default_icon": { "16": "img/clearurls_16x16.png", "19": "img/clearurls_19x19.png", "20": "img/clearurls_20x20.png", "24": "img/clearurls_24x24.png", "30": "img/clearurls_30x30.png", "32": "img/clearurls_32x32.png", "38": "img/clearurls_38x38.png", "48": "img/clearurls_48x48.png", "64": "img/clearurls_64x64.png", "96": "img/clearurls_96x96.png", "128": "img/clearurls_128x128.png" }, "default_title": "ClearURLs Add-on", "default_popup": "html/popup.html" }, "permissions": [ "", "webRequest", "webRequestBlocking", "storage", "unlimitedStorage", "contextMenus", "webNavigation", "tabs", "downloads" ], "background": { "scripts": [ "browser-polyfill.js", "core_js/utils/Multimap.js", "core_js/utils/URLHashParams.js", "core_js/message_handler.js", "external_js/ip-range-check.js", "core_js/tools.js", "core_js/badgedHandler.js", "core_js/pureCleaning.js", "core_js/context_menu.js", "core_js/historyListener.js", "clearurls.js", "core_js/storage.js", "core_js/watchdog.js", "core_js/eTagFilter.js" ] }, "content_scripts": [ { "all_frames": true, "matches": [ "*://*.google.com/*", "*://*.google.ad/*", "*://*.google.ae/*", "*://*.google.com.af/*", "*://*.google.com.ag/*", "*://*.google.com.ai/*", "*://*.google.al/*", "*://*.google.am/*", "*://*.google.co.ao/*", "*://*.google.com.ar/*", "*://*.google.as/*", "*://*.google.at/*", "*://*.google.com.au/*", "*://*.google.az/*", "*://*.google.ba/*", "*://*.google.com.bd/*", "*://*.google.be/*", "*://*.google.bf/*", "*://*.google.bg/*", "*://*.google.com.bh/*", "*://*.google.bi/*", "*://*.google.bj/*", "*://*.google.com.bn/*", "*://*.google.com.bo/*", "*://*.google.com.br/*", "*://*.google.bs/*", "*://*.google.bt/*", "*://*.google.co.bw/*", "*://*.google.by/*", "*://*.google.com.bz/*", "*://*.google.ca/*", "*://*.google.cd/*", "*://*.google.cf/*", "*://*.google.cg/*", "*://*.google.ch/*", "*://*.google.ci/*", "*://*.google.co.ck/*", "*://*.google.cl/*", "*://*.google.cm/*", "*://*.google.cn/*", "*://*.google.com.co/*", "*://*.google.co.cr/*", "*://*.google.com.cu/*", "*://*.google.cv/*", "*://*.google.com.cy/*", "*://*.google.cz/*", "*://*.google.de/*", "*://*.google.dj/*", "*://*.google.dk/*", "*://*.google.dm/*", "*://*.google.com.do/*", "*://*.google.dz/*", "*://*.google.com.ec/*", "*://*.google.ee/*", "*://*.google.com.eg/*", "*://*.google.es/*", "*://*.google.com.et/*", "*://*.google.fi/*", "*://*.google.com.fj/*", "*://*.google.fm/*", "*://*.google.fr/*", "*://*.google.ga/*", "*://*.google.ge/*", "*://*.google.gg/*", "*://*.google.com.gh/*", "*://*.google.com.gi/*", "*://*.google.gl/*", "*://*.google.gm/*", "*://*.google.gp/*", "*://*.google.gr/*", "*://*.google.com.gt/*", "*://*.google.gy/*", "*://*.google.com.hk/*", "*://*.google.hn/*", "*://*.google.hr/*", "*://*.google.ht/*", "*://*.google.hu/*", "*://*.google.co.id/*", "*://*.google.ie/*", "*://*.google.co.il/*", "*://*.google.im/*", "*://*.google.co.in/*", "*://*.google.iq/*", "*://*.google.is/*", "*://*.google.it/*", "*://*.google.je/*", "*://*.google.com.jm/*", "*://*.google.jo/*", "*://*.google.co.jp/*", "*://*.google.co.ke/*", "*://*.google.com.kh/*", "*://*.google.ki/*", "*://*.google.kg/*", "*://*.google.co.kr/*", "*://*.google.com.kw/*", "*://*.google.kz/*", "*://*.google.la/*", "*://*.google.com.lb/*", "*://*.google.li/*", "*://*.google.lk/*", "*://*.google.co.ls/*", "*://*.google.lt/*", "*://*.google.lu/*", "*://*.google.lv/*", "*://*.google.com.ly/*", "*://*.google.co.ma/*", "*://*.google.md/*", "*://*.google.me/*", "*://*.google.mg/*", "*://*.google.mk/*", "*://*.google.ml/*", "*://*.google.com.mm/*", "*://*.google.mn/*", "*://*.google.ms/*", "*://*.google.com.mt/*", "*://*.google.mu/*", "*://*.google.mv/*", "*://*.google.mw/*", "*://*.google.com.mx/*", "*://*.google.com.my/*", "*://*.google.co.mz/*", "*://*.google.com.na/*", "*://*.google.com.nf/*", "*://*.google.com.ng/*", "*://*.google.com.ni/*", "*://*.google.ne/*", "*://*.google.nl/*", "*://*.google.no/*", "*://*.google.com.np/*", "*://*.google.nr/*", "*://*.google.nu/*", "*://*.google.co.nz/*", "*://*.google.com.om/*", "*://*.google.com.pa/*", "*://*.google.com.pe/*", "*://*.google.com.pg/*", "*://*.google.com.ph/*", "*://*.google.com.pk/*", "*://*.google.pl/*", "*://*.google.pn/*", "*://*.google.com.pr/*", "*://*.google.ps/*", "*://*.google.pt/*", "*://*.google.com.py/*", "*://*.google.com.qa/*", "*://*.google.ro/*", "*://*.google.ru/*", "*://*.google.rw/*", "*://*.google.com.sa/*", "*://*.google.com.sb/*", "*://*.google.sc/*", "*://*.google.se/*", "*://*.google.com.sg/*", "*://*.google.sh/*", "*://*.google.si/*", "*://*.google.sk/*", "*://*.google.com.sl/*", "*://*.google.sn/*", "*://*.google.so/*", "*://*.google.sm/*", "*://*.google.sr/*", "*://*.google.st/*", "*://*.google.com.sv/*", "*://*.google.td/*", "*://*.google.tg/*", "*://*.google.co.th/*", "*://*.google.com.tj/*", "*://*.google.tk/*", "*://*.google.tl/*", "*://*.google.tm/*", "*://*.google.tn/*", "*://*.google.to/*", "*://*.google.com.tr/*", "*://*.google.tt/*", "*://*.google.com.tw/*", "*://*.google.co.tz/*", "*://*.google.com.ua/*", "*://*.google.co.ug/*", "*://*.google.co.uk/*", "*://*.google.com.uy/*", "*://*.google.co.uz/*", "*://*.google.com.vc/*", "*://*.google.co.ve/*", "*://*.google.vg/*", "*://*.google.co.vi/*", "*://*.google.com.vn/*", "*://*.google.vu/*", "*://*.google.ws/*", "*://*.google.rs/*", "*://*.google.co.za/*", "*://*.google.co.zm/*", "*://*.google.co.zw/*", "*://*.google.cat/*" ], "js": [ "core_js/google_link_fix.js" ], "run_at": "document_end" }, { "all_frames": true, "matches": [ "*://*.yandex.ru/*", "*://*.yandex.com/*", "*://*.ya.ru/*" ], "js": [ "core_js/yandex_link_fix.js" ], "run_at": "document_end" } ], "options_ui": { "page": "html/settings.html" }}
Read more

How to download and manually install ClearURLs extension for Chrome

Looking for a way to install ClearURLs 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 ClearURLs extensions manually, this article outlines two simple methods to effortlessly install ClearURLs extensions, whether they come as unpacked folders in compressed formats like .zip or as .crx files.

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

If you ever need to manually install a ClearURLs 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 ClearURLs Extension by clicking the "Download CRX" button on the website.

Look for the ClearURLs extension you wish to install. Go to the website and download the ClearURLs extension package, which is usually a .CRX file and comes in a zipped file. Here ".crx" file is the format for ClearURLs 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 ClearURLs 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 ClearURLs extension for Chrome and install in Developer Mode

This is another method to install ClearURLs 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 ClearURLs extension file

Select and download the ClearURLs 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 ClearURLs 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 ClearURLs 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 ClearURLs 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 ClearURLs extension in 2 ways. We hope this guide proves helpful.

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User reviews

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Na Me (ID: 00000054184dff2d) Voted 3 ★ - Updated 05/08/2024 Works well but also breaks sorting results by price on Amazon (falls back to initial view immediately after changing it)

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n ascentt (ID: 000000ea67c3094b) Voted 3 ★ - Updated 10/30/2023 I love this addon as it's clears up the urls on sites, however as others state (and it took me ages to identify this addon as the culprit) - this addon breaks google OAuth. now i know i can keep disabling this addon every time it causes issues, although that's annoying. up to now it's broken auth on many services and apps as I had no idea this was the culprit. As it looks like people have been reporting this issue for a year, it seems the addon has been abandoned? I've logged an issue on the github and posted to their twitter, hopefully someone finds a fix

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Apple Strumdoodle (ID: 0000008a876b6c7d) Voted 2 ★ - Updated 10/29/2023 I very much wanted to like this but it breaks OAuth2 authorization for Google accounts. Can't have that. Maybe next release will fix this so because of the developer's obvious good intentions I'll give it 2 stars instead of one.

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Alex Shevchenko (ID: 000000599a8613d6) Voted 3 ★ - Updated 10/22/2023 Enabling this extension can cause OAuth2 authorization issues with Google accounts due to tracking data clearance. This may result in failed authorization with a 401 error. Exercise caution. P.s. Examples of OAuth2 usage include using a Google account for authorization to access Google Drive or using a Facebook account for authorization to access third-party developer applications.

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Colin Stuart (ID: 000000faa5ccf2eb) Voted 1 ★ - Updated 10/07/2023 This addon doesn't do anything, never removes anything from any URL. Useless.