Google Chrome has added a new and potent feature that automatically revokes notification permissions from websites with which users have not recently interacted.
This courageous decision was implemented in response to the daily notification deluge that users experience.
According to Google, less than 1% of website notifications are interacted with, making many warnings annoying. Chrome claims a cleaner, more relevant browsing experience by reducing digital noise.
Auto-revocation cuts notification overload
This latest feature builds on Chrome’s Safety Check function, which previously managed permissions like camera and location access.
Chrome secretly limits notification permissions for inactive websites while monitoring user involvement. If a site’s notification permission is removed, users can restore warnings via the Safety Check dashboard or the website.
As Google stated, “Less than 1% of all website notifications see any user interaction.” Their testing showed that fewer overall notifications led to more clicks on the remaining relevant alerts.
User control remains paramount
Chrome ensures that users won’t lose control over their notification settings. The auto-revocation feature excludes Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), so critical app-like notifications are preserved.
Users can also turn off auto-revocation entirely if they prefer to manage their notifications manually. Websites with revoked permissions can be reauthorised by revisiting the site or through the Safety Check. Google’s approach strikes a balance between cutting out notification spam and respecting user preferences for specific alerts.
This update is rolling out across Chrome on desktop and Android, reflecting Google’s continued effort to streamline web browsing by reducing unnecessary interruptions without compromising user choice. This feature offers a quiet yet assertive solution to the persistent problem of notification fatigue, improving daily digital interactions for millions.