Google Chrome 64 Update: How To Permanently Mute Auto-Playing Sites

A new Google Chrome feature will allow users to mute sites that play videos automatically.

The new option will be available with the Chrome 64 update, which will work with MacOS, Windows and Linux. The update will launch to users in a couple of days or weeks, Google said on Wednesday.

The update (Chrome 64.0.3282.119) will include multiple fixes and improvements, and one of those is the ability to mute sites. The new option means users won’t have to rush to turn down the volume when going on web pages that automatically play videos or ads.

Google previously announced in September it would roll out a feature that mutes sites. Google Chrome currently has a “Mute Tab” option, but that only quiets down videos on one tab. With the new update, users will be able to mute media indefinitely on the sites they apply the option to.

“Users watch and listen to a lot of media, and autoplay can make it faster and easier to consume on the web. However, one of the most frequent user concerns is unexpected media playback, which can use data, consume power, and make unwanted noise while browsing,” Google said in September. “These changes will give users greater control over media playing in their browser, while making it easier for publishers to implement autoplay where it benefits the user.”

How To Mute Sites On Google Chrome 64

Muting sites with Google Chrome 64 is pretty simple.

For the current “Mute Tab” option:

1. Users have to go to the tab where the site they want to mute is.

2. Users should then right click on the tab button.

3. A menu will show up, scroll down and click on Mute Tab.

For the Mute Site option on Chrome 64, users will have to follow the same steps:

1. Go to the tab where the site that should be muted is.

2. Right click the tab button.

3. Instead of Mute Tab button, people will see a Mute Site option instead. The feature will then mute the site forever, until the user unmutes it.

Muting Tabs On Safari Browser

Google’s muting option comes after Apple rolled out similar Safari features in November when Safari 11 was released. The browser now lets users mute auto-playing videos, block auto-playing content in individual sites or stop auto-playing content from their web browsing experience entirely. The Safari 11 browsers comes with an Audio icon in the search bar. Pressing on the icon lets users see which tab is the one that is playing audio. The feature lets users mute certain tabs and keep audio playing on the ones they need to hear.