ClearURLs for Chrome: Stop Tracking Parameters and Speed Up Browsing

Boost Privacy in Chrome with ClearURLs: A Quick Setup Guide

Why it matters

• Privacy: Many links include tracking parameters that reveal what you clicked and where you came from.
• Cleaner URLs: Removing those parameters makes links shorter and more reliable.
• Performance: Fewer redirector and tracking elements can slightly speed page loads.

What ClearURLs does

• Automatically strips known tracking parameters and redirectors from URLs.
• Maintains a regularly updated list of tracking rules.
• Runs quietly in the background once installed and configured.

Quick setup (step-by-step)

1. Install the extension
   • Open the Chrome Web Store, search for ClearURLs, and click “Add to Chrome.”
2. Open extension settings
   • Right-click the ClearURLs icon (or open chrome://extensions/) and choose “Options” or “Extension options.”
3. Enable core features (defaults are good)
   • Ensure “Enable cleaning” or similar is turned on.
4. Review rule updates
   • In Settings → Rules, confirm automatic updates are enabled so ClearURLs receives new tracking patterns.
5. Optional: Whitelist sites
   • In Settings → Whitelist, add any domains where parameter removal breaks functionality (e.g., some banking or authenticated services).
6. Optional: Enable logging for troubleshooting
   • Turn on logging temporarily if a site breaks; inspect cleaned vs. original URLs and then disable logging.
7. Test it
   • Visit a link with known tracking parameters (e.g., URLs containing utm_source, fbclid, or gclid) and confirm the address bar shows the cleaned URL or that clicking the link opens the cleaned destination.

Tips and caveats

• Some parameters are required for site functionality; use the whitelist when necessary.
• Clearing tracking parameters does not make you anonymous to sites — it prevents link-based tracking only.
• Keep the extension updated and allow rule updates for best coverage.

Troubleshooting quick fixes

• Page breaks after install: add the domain to the whitelist.
• Links still show tracking: check that rule updates are enabled and that the extension is active.
• Extension missing in toolbar: enable it via chrome://extensions/ or the toolbar menu.

Recommended settings (concise)

• Enable: Cleaning, Automatic rule updates
• Optional: Temporary logging for debugging
• Whitelist: Add only when needed

Quick summary

• Install ClearURLs, enable cleaning and rule updates, whitelist sites that break, and test with known tracking parameters to confirm it’s working.