Starting with Chrome 66, Google will finally begin blocking many autoplay videos, at least those with sound and on some sites.
If you’re like some people, then some of your most frustrating experiences while browsing the web occur when autoplay videos blare loud and obnoxious audio in a quiet work environment. You’ve probably installed a plug-in, if one exists in your chosen browser, aimed specifically at blocking such videos and maintaining your serenity. Those don’t always work, however, and that’s why Google is finally tackling the problem in Chrome itself.
Specifically, the latest version of Google’s browser, Chrome 66, will start controlling when media will automatically start playing. There will be a set of rules governing autoplay, which Google outlined in its blog: “As announced earlier, autoplay is now allowed only when either the media won’t play sound, after the user clicks or taps on the site, or (on desktop) if the user has previously shown an interest in media on the site. This will reduce unexpected video playbacks with sound when first opening a web page.”
That’s not perfect, because it still means that videos will autoplay on your favorite sites, obnoxious sounds and all. But then again, Google has built in the ability to mute a site since Chrome 64, meaning that you can simply tell Chrome to never play sounds at a given domain unless you specifically want it to do so. It’s easy enough to set this up on the desktop: just click on the padlock next to the URL bar, then click “Site Settings,” then find “Sound” in the list and set it to “Block” from the drop-down list. You’ll need to reload the page, and when you’re on the page you can click the padlock again to quickly access your blocking settings and turn audio back on.
The new autoplay rules were supposed to roll out in Chrome 64 as well, but they were delayed until Chrome 66. If you’re running the Chrome beta, then you’ll receive this new functionality today, March 22. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait until your Chrome browser updates itself in April. Chrome 66 also brings a number of security enhancements, some additional intelligence in playing video based on a system’s capabilities, and the usual developer tools to make Chrome more dynamic and responsive.
