How to Install and Use ClearURLs in Chrome (Step‑by‑Step)

ClearURLs for Chrome — Remove Tracking Parameters Automatically

What it does

• Automatically strips tracking parameters (UTM tags, referrer IDs, campaign codes, etc.) from URLs you open in Chrome so links are cleaner and less able to track you.

How it works

• Runs as a browser extension and inspects outgoing and incoming URLs.
• Uses a ruleset of known tracking query parameters and URL patterns; when a match is found it removes those parameters or rewrites the URL before navigation.
• Applies to clicks, redirects, and many programmatic navigations.

Key benefits

• Privacy: Reduces passive tracking by removing identifiers attached to links.
• Cleaner links: Shared URLs are shorter and more consistent.
• Performance: Slightly faster page loads in some cases since unnecessary query strings are removed.
• Automatic: No manual editing of links required.

Limitations

• May not remove tracking embedded in page content (e.g., JavaScript-based trackers, cookies, or fingerprinting).
• Some sites use required query parameters; aggressive stripping can occasionally break functionality (ClearURLs includes safelists/whitelists to avoid common breakage).
• Effectiveness depends on keeping the ruleset up to date.

Installation & basic setup

1. Install the ClearURLs extension from the Chrome Web Store.
2. Open the extension options to review/update rules and check the whitelist.
3. Enable automatic cleaning (on by default); optionally enable logging or diagnostics if troubleshooting.

Safety and maintenance

• Keep the extension updated so the ruleset stays current.
• Review and adjust the whitelist for sites where link behavior breaks.
• Combine with other privacy extensions (e.g., ad-blockers, tracker blockers) for broader protection.

When to disable temporarily

• If a website requires specific query parameters for login, purchase tracking, or deep links—disable for that site or add it to the extension’s whitelist.

If you want, I can provide step‑by‑step install instructions, a short troubleshooting guide for site breakage, or a comparison table with similar extensions.