Auto video playback will only be allowed if sound isn’t played or if the user has shown interest in the clip
One of the most annoying things while browsing the web would have to be auto-play videos. You’re minding your own business, happily clicking away and scrolling when a video starts randomly blaring away. The worst autoplay videos have to be the ones that minimize and follow you down the page as you’re scrolling.
Google says this is one of the most frequent concerns from users: unexpected playback. From Chrome 64, auto video playback will only be allowed if sound isn’t played or if the user has shown interest in the clip. Google says videos will only auto play if the user has clicked or tapped somewhere on the site during the browsing session, if the site has been added to the home screen (on mobile), or if the user has frequently played media on the site (on desktop).
“This will allow autoplay to occur when users want media to play, and respect users' wishes when they don't,” Google said in a statement. “These changes will also unify desktop and mobile web behavior, making web media development more predictable across platforms and browsers.” The new features are being introduced in an effort to improve the user experience, reduce power consumption, and ease unnecessary data usage.
Google noted that Chrome 63 will also add a new option to completely mute individual sites. The disabling would continue between browsing sessions. Google says the autoplay policies will roll out in January 2018. It’s also previously indicated it will introduce an in-built ad blocker for Chrome next year in more efforts to put a stop to annoying, unwanted content.
One of the most annoying things while browsing the web would have to be auto-play videos. You’re minding your own business, happily clicking away and scrolling when a video starts randomly blaring away. The worst autoplay videos have to be the ones that minimize and follow you down the page as you’re scrolling.
Google says this is one of the most frequent concerns from users: unexpected playback. From Chrome 64, auto video playback will only be allowed if sound isn’t played or if the user has shown interest in the clip. Google says videos will only auto play if the user has clicked or tapped somewhere on the site during the browsing session, if the site has been added to the home screen (on mobile), or if the user has frequently played media on the site (on desktop).
“This will allow autoplay to occur when users want media to play, and respect users' wishes when they don't,” Google said in a statement. “These changes will also unify desktop and mobile web behavior, making web media development more predictable across platforms and browsers.” The new features are being introduced in an effort to improve the user experience, reduce power consumption, and ease unnecessary data usage.
Google noted that Chrome 63 will also add a new option to completely mute individual sites. The disabling would continue between browsing sessions. Google says the autoplay policies will roll out in January 2018. It’s also previously indicated it will introduce an in-built ad blocker for Chrome next year in more efforts to put a stop to annoying, unwanted content.