ClearURLs

kroeb

(47)

‪30,000+‬ Users
Productivity
kroeb

(47)

‪30,000+‬ Users
Productivity

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Description

This extension will automatically remove tracking elements from URLs to help protect your privacy when browsing 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

Why use this extension as opposed to similar ones?
Most other “link cleaners” employ about a dozen rules when looking for tracking parameters to remove. ClearURLs utilizes over 250 rules, so its capabilities are more comprehensive.
And ClearURLs is open source, so everyone can join the project and/or can check the source code to error or malicious code.

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 a 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)


What do we collect?
This extension protects and respects your privacy. We do not—and will never—collect any of your usage data.

What do I do if I have trouble?
Visit our GitLab page (https://gitlab.com/KevinRoebert/ClearUrls) or check out our wiki (https://docs.clearurls.xyz).

Write us...
If have any suggestions or complaints, please contact us on GitLab.

Permissions
The reasoning for needed permissions can be found here: https://docs.clearurls.xyz/latest/permissions/.

The changelog can be found here: https://gitlab.com/KevinRoebert/ClearUrls/blob/master/CHANGELOG.md

User reviews

James

Feb 25, 2025
I spent about 30 minutes troubleshooting why my books would not load on Google Playbooks. I tried everything. I finally went to disabling extensions one at a time, and I found that this add-on breaks Google. An update would be a great benefit. Thanks

William

Jan 17, 2025
In theory, this is great. used it for over a year when I realized how much tracking amazon and others put in URLs. However, it is now breaking sites like Google Sheets and account logins, as others have mentioned, meaning I will have to uninstall and bid farewell to this extension. Not sure what update caused this to break so much, but a whitelist would win me back.

John

Jan 11, 2025
Was good before, but version 1.27.1 breaks websites, including Google Voice, which I need. It also may be responsible for mouse cursor weirdness and browser sluggishness. So I've removed it and installed the earlier 1.26.0 version from the Chrome Web Store.
Details
Version 1.27.3Updated February 5, 2025Report abuse
Details
Version 1.27.3Updated February 5, 2025Report abuse