ClearURLs
Remove tracking elements from URLs.
What is ClearURLs?
Stats
- <all_urls>
- webRequest
- webRequestBlocking
- storage
- unlimitedStorage
- contextMenus
- webNavigation
- tabs
- downloads
Chrome-Stats Rank
Summary
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
User reviews
User reviews summary
Pros
- Clears up URLs on sites
- Improves browsing experience
- Works well most of the time
Cons
- Breaks Google OAuth / authorization
- No way to whitelist or toggle off for certain sites
- Causes issues with logins and login confirmations
- No customizability
Most mentioned
- Breaks Google OAuth / authorization
- No way to whitelist or toggle off for certain sites
- Doesn't work for certain websites
- Causes issues with logins and login confirmations
- Improves browsing experience
Recent reviews
Safety
Risk impact
ClearURLs is risky to use as it requires a number of sensitive permissions that can potentially harm your browser and steal your data. Exercise caution when installing this extension. Review carefully before installing. We recommend that you only install ClearURLs if you trust the publisher.
Risk likelihood
ClearURLs has earned a fairly good reputation and likely can be trusted.
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