AI-powered Adblocker: how does it work?

As much as cyberpunk fiction loves to play with Christian mythology, reality always tries to keep up with this trend. In 2018 happened the beta launch of Sentinel, an angel artificial intelligence (AI) technology created by AdBlock Plus, claiming to be able to detect ads even without lists typically used in these matters. Browser adblocker is almost an irreplaceable part of internet users’ life, what else?

Thanks to the AI, our ad blocker is able to detect ads just like a human does.

Divya Thakur, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: IS IT PLANET-SAVING TECHNOLOGY? (2019)

Still a pretty recent development, AI-powered adblockers are taking the market step by step. Unlike traditional ones relying on predefined lists, they rave on real-time machine learning algorithms. Meaning: they can learn to distinguish between page content, and detect ads by analyzing patterns, features, and structure. These rascals aren’t covered by conventional methods. You know, native ones that completely blend with the rest of the site? AI-powered adblocker can work even like a preventive method, identifying not just existing ad formats, but also predicting and blocking new, unseen ones. In essence, they adapt to changes in ad delivery techniques, reducing the effectiveness of advertisers’ attempts to circumvent ad blocking. Despite the evolving strategies of advertisers, it provides users with a new level experience. And one of the best things today — you can download adblocker you need for free.

With all that and a little more in mind, we created our built-in blocker and are happy to introduce you to AdBlock 2.0.

Rooting for tranquility

But first, traditionally, a tiny sidetrack.

The first brick was laid in 2002 by Henrik Aasted Sørensen. Heritage of which is quite a life-saver today, AdBlock was created in response to an already aggressive advertisement, which destructive and disruptive nature was invasively escorting the expansion of the Internet. Popups and banners were so common, that they almost could scratch your eye. Not to mention how easy it is to get sidetracked. Can’t name it a pleasant experience.

A browser adblocker extension created by the Danish student filtered page content against a set of rules (commonly known as filter lists) a user had to provide. These regulations designated specific elements, typically recognized by their originating address, to be eliminated from the page. When a webpage was accessed, any components matching these filter list parameters were obstructed, effectively “concealing” advertisements from the user’s view.

Simple and effective it worked out the purpose of fighting against the all-seeing hand of the market, laying the groundwork for future generations.

In 2006 the fork of the original AdBlock is developed by Wladimir Palant, bringing to the table something that will ease the burden on the users — pre-made filter lists. These lists, such as the widely-used EasyList, allow users to effectively block ads without needing to create their own filters.

But what is the growth without controversy and users questioning decisions? 2010, AdblockPlus announces a feature called Acceptable Ads. A kind of white list of ads that the extension will let display. At first glance, it goes against the idea of the whole deal. But the interesting part is, there are still debates on the issues the popularity of adblockers brought to businesses, while even 13 years ago Adblock Plus noted it and tried to find a balance while still protecting users from the most disruptive and intrusive ads. This feature stays still till that very day, though many users were concerned that it wasn’t the best AdBlock decision.

What makes a good adblocker? Accessibility. As soon as Apple started trying to ride the wave of users’ privacy after doubts were raised with all the coming files, they also introduced support for content blocking with the launch of iOS 9 in 2015. The first time adblockers were allowed for mobile and not surprising that somewhere around that time the mobile browser Brave is launched, also with built-in adblocking capabilities.

Sure enough, where one corporate giant succeeds, another one tries not to drag behind. Google wanted a piece of cake too, though being more cautious to keep their word — concerns about blocking ads completely will bring a crisis and fall of the businesses depending on it. So they introduce a built-in free adblocker to Chrome, which blocks ads on sites that fail to comply with the Better Ads Standards. All and all, it brings adblocking to a much wider audience. And as we mentioned at the start, the same year AdBlock Plus announces the beta launch of AI-powered adblocker Sentinel and invited people worldwide to train neural network algorithms: “Sentinel will learn to block Facebook ads first, and will then learn to recognise other ad types.” From a simple free adblocker extension to a “rebellion” in 16 years.

And most importantly, in 2018 “the Rust community decided to improve the programming experience for a few distinct domains.”

How it relates to the subject and what do we have now? Bingo! The AI-powered adblocker written in Rust is doubtfully the best adblocker. It’s kind you can find in Brave browser and our Sidekick with Adblocker 2.0. The adblocker browser asked for.

No More Ads on YouTube, Even Without a Premium Subscription

Some adblockers are definitely struggling with popular platforms feeding every user with a spoonful of commercials, YouTube is a great example, where the joy of an ad-free experience requires paying for a Premium subscription. But, let’s say there is an alternative where your money will stay in your pocket while having this “premium-like” performance. Adblock 2.0, users can watch their favorite content without any interruptions from ads – all for free. This means you can now binge-watch videos, music, podcasts, and more, without the constant pauses for advertisement breaks.

With the help of AI-powered technology behind it is capable of identifying and blocking even the most stubborn pre-roll, mid-roll, and display ads on YouTube. This doesn’t just enhance your viewing experience but also saves you valuable time and data. Therefore, Adblock 2.0 effectively brings the benefits of a Premium subscription to all users, without the associated costs.

Thousands of Ads and Trackers Blocked

Privacy is one of Sidekick’s prior components, and AdBlocker 2.0 is either helpful here. Especially when it comes to all-seeing trackers and ads able to pierce even the most innocuously looking site.

To block noisy-nosy popups and banners today is not a miracle, but you can’t go without it already, the thing is — that’s just a bare minimum. AI-powered AdbLocker 2.0 is going further, including video ads, evolving rapidly ad techniques becoming less and less obvious, and trackers, the notorious invisible third-party data collectors. Your online habits are almost untouchable, thanks to preventing targeting, browsing history is only your local device business.

To summarize, it facilitates ‘cosmetic filtering’, a process that modifies the contents of a webpage after it’s loaded into the browser. This feature is mainly used to conceal or tidy up undesirable page elements that are delivered in line with the rest of the first-party content. However, it can also be utilized to introduce JavaScript “scriptlets” that seize and alter the functioning of scripts on the page while they’re executing.

What about security then? By blocking hidden trackers and malicious advertising along with them risks of phishing, identity theft, and even access to your files or system are laying low.

Last, but definitely not least — imagine how much it enhances overall performance. Ads consume bandwidth and system resources, which can lead to sluggish browsing, especially on sites with heavy ad content. significant amounts of data, which can be an issue if you’re on a limited data plan. By loading and reloading ads, trackers use up more of your data allowance, potentially leading to overage charges. With the help of AdBlocker 2.0 the page load would be sped up and work will go smoothly without excessive data usage.

See how much more can bring one detail added to an internet adblocker into your online routine. More than that — taking control back to you. Beneficially — the more you browse, the more efficient Adblock 2.0 becomes at ensuring the needed experience, while learning in real-time. For example, it’ll give constant credit to your preferences and adjust its strategy depending on certain types of ads you’ll allow and websites you let be shown whole as planned by the owner.

User Experience First

The same as a learning machine, the more our team is working on the browser, the more we are putting your experience first. And AdBlocker 2.0 is no exception. Easy to use you don’t need to install adblocker, it requires only a simple step of turning on or off and editing the white list however suits you. Fast and consistent browsing with bonuses like unlimited ad-free youtube access, adds to your security, that’s what we wanted to give and provide. And succeeded.

Now, when control over the browsing experience is yours, it’s only left to decide what you want to do finally without getting distracted.