diff --git a/extension/src/lib/__tests__/selector-hide-rule.property.test.ts b/extension/src/lib/__tests__/selector-hide-rule.property.test.ts
index 07bd5e2..4f91e05 100644
--- a/extension/src/lib/__tests__/selector-hide-rule.property.test.ts
+++ b/extension/src/lib/__tests__/selector-hide-rule.property.test.ts
@@ -14,12 +14,14 @@
 
 import fc from "fast-check";
 
+import { HIDDEN_ATTR, REVEALED_ATTR } from "../dom-markers";
 import { filterToOutermost } from "../dom-utils";
 import { PLACEHOLDER_CLASS } from "../placeholder";
 import { createSelectorHideRule } from "../selector-hide-rule";
 import type { RuleId } from "../storage";
 
 const RULE_ID = "footer-redact" as RuleId;
+const OTHER_RULE_ID = "comments-redact" as RuleId;
 const HIDE_LABEL = "[hidden]";
 const TARGET_ATTR = "data-target";
 const TARGET_SELECTOR = "[data-target]";
@@ -200,3 +202,148 @@ describe("scan() outermost-match (property)", () => {
     );
   });
 });
+
+describe("processed-WeakSet idempotence under apply N times (property)", () => {
+  // The strongest property the WeakSet must satisfy: with the DOM held
+  // fixed between calls, apply 1 must produce the same DOM as apply N.
+  // Fuzzes over random tree shape + random pre-existing markers
+  // (PLACEHOLDER_CLASS, HIDDEN_ATTR for this rule, HIDDEN_ATTR for
+  // another rule, REVEALED_ATTR for this rule, REVEALED_ATTR for
+  // another rule) so the test covers every shape the rule's marker-
+  // skip ladder can encounter. A regression in WeakSet membership
+  // (added when it shouldn't be, OR not added when it should be)
+  // surfaces as innerHTML divergence between the first and N-th apply.
+
+  // Marker kind labels:
+  //   0 = no marker
+  //   1 = PLACEHOLDER_CLASS
+  //   2 = HIDDEN_ATTR for this rule (already hidden)
+  //   3 = HIDDEN_ATTR for some other rule (we should overwrite per spec)
+  //   4 = REVEALED_ATTR for this rule (skip)
+  //   5 = REVEALED_ATTR for some other rule (don't skip)
+  const markerArb = fc.integer({ min: 0, max: 5 });
+
+  interface MarkedScenario {
+    tree: FlatTree;
+    targetMask: boolean[];
+    markers: number[];
+    extraApplies: number;
+    removeEntirely: boolean;
+  }
+
+  const scenarioArb: fc.Arbitrary<MarkedScenario> = flatTreeArb.chain((tree) =>
+    fc
+      .tuple(
+        fc.array(fc.boolean(), { minLength: tree.size, maxLength: tree.size }),
+        fc.array(markerArb, { minLength: tree.size, maxLength: tree.size }),
+        fc.integer({ min: 1, max: 5 }),
+        fc.boolean(),
+      )
+      .map(([targetMask, markers, extraApplies, removeEntirely]) => ({
+        tree,
+        targetMask,
+        markers,
+        extraApplies,
+        removeEntirely,
+      })),
+  );
+
+  function applyMarker(element: HTMLElement, kind: number): void {
+    switch (kind) {
+      case 1: {
+        element.classList.add(PLACEHOLDER_CLASS);
+        break;
+      }
+      case 2: {
+        element.setAttribute(HIDDEN_ATTR, RULE_ID);
+        break;
+      }
+      case 3: {
+        element.setAttribute(HIDDEN_ATTR, OTHER_RULE_ID);
+        break;
+      }
+      case 4: {
+        element.setAttribute(REVEALED_ATTR, RULE_ID);
+        break;
+      }
+      case 5: {
+        element.setAttribute(REVEALED_ATTR, OTHER_RULE_ID);
+        break;
+      }
+      default: {
+        // 0 — no marker.
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  function buildMarkedTree(scenario: MarkedScenario): {
+    root: HTMLElement;
+    all: HTMLElement[];
+  } {
+    const all: HTMLElement[] = [];
+    const root = buildFlatTree(scenario.tree, all);
+    for (const [i, node] of all.entries()) {
+      if (scenario.targetMask[i]) {
+        node.setAttribute(TARGET_ATTR, "");
+      }
+      applyMarker(node, scenario.markers[i] as number);
+    }
+    return { root, all };
+  }
+
+  it("DOM after apply once == DOM after apply N (placeholder mode)", () => {
+    fc.assert(
+      fc.property(scenarioArb, (scenario) => {
+        document.body.innerHTML = "";
+        const { root } = buildMarkedTree(scenario);
+        document.body.append(root);
+
+        const { rule } = createSelectorHideRule({
+          id: RULE_ID,
+          label: "test",
+          description: "test",
+          alwaysOnSelectors: [TARGET_SELECTOR],
+          hideLabel: HIDE_LABEL,
+        });
+
+        rule.apply(document.body);
+        const afterFirst = document.body.innerHTML;
+
+        for (let i = 0; i < scenario.extraApplies; i++) {
+          rule.apply(document.body);
+        }
+        const afterNth = document.body.innerHTML;
+
+        expect(afterNth).toBe(afterFirst);
+      }),
+    );
+  });
+
+  it("DOM after apply once == DOM after apply N (removeEntirely mode)", () => {
+    fc.assert(
+      fc.property(scenarioArb, (scenario) => {
+        document.body.innerHTML = "";
+        const { root } = buildMarkedTree(scenario);
+        document.body.append(root);
+
+        const { rule } = createSelectorHideRule({
+          id: RULE_ID,
+          label: "test",
+          description: "test",
+          alwaysOnSelectors: [TARGET_SELECTOR],
+          removeEntirely: true,
+        });
+
+        rule.apply(document.body);
+        const afterFirst = document.body.innerHTML;
+
+        for (let i = 0; i < scenario.extraApplies; i++) {
+          rule.apply(document.body);
+        }
+        const afterNth = document.body.innerHTML;
+
+        expect(afterNth).toBe(afterFirst);
+      }),
+    );
+  });
+});
diff --git a/extension/src/lib/__tests__/selector-hide-rule.test.ts b/extension/src/lib/__tests__/selector-hide-rule.test.ts
index 0568b42..bde8505 100644
--- a/extension/src/lib/__tests__/selector-hide-rule.test.ts
+++ b/extension/src/lib/__tests__/selector-hide-rule.test.ts
@@ -797,3 +797,162 @@ describe("subtree dispatcher integration", () => {
     rule.teardown?.();
   });
 });
+
+describe("processed-node WeakSet bypass", () => {
+  // The WeakSet is a perf cache: once a rule's scan concludes "skip"
+  // for an element based on the element's own state, future scans
+  // short-circuit. Markers (HIDDEN_ATTR, REVEALED_ATTR) stay in the DOM
+  // for cross-rule coordination and for reveal click handlers; the
+  // WeakSet is purely a hot-loop bypass for this rule's own re-scans.
+
+  it("skips an already-hidden element on re-scan even if HIDDEN_ATTR is removed externally", () => {
+    // Demonstrates the perf-cache nature: the rule trusts its own
+    // record over the DOM marker. If page JS strips HIDDEN_ATTR, the
+    // rule still doesn't re-process the element — this is what makes
+    // the bypass a "cache" rather than a recomputation.
+    const { rule } = createSelectorHideRule({
+      id: RULE_ID,
+      label: "test",
+      description: "test",
+      alwaysOnSelectors: ["#widget"],
+      removeEntirely: true,
+    });
+    document.body.innerHTML = `<div id="widget">x</div>`;
+
+    rule.apply(document.body);
+    const widget = document.querySelector<HTMLElement>("#widget");
+    expect(widget?.getAttribute(HIDDEN_ATTR)).toBe(RULE_ID);
+
+    // External actor strips the marker, but the element stays in the
+    // DOM. The widget is still display:none (rule won't undo that).
+    widget?.removeAttribute(HIDDEN_ATTR);
+    // Tamper with display so a re-hide would be visible — verifies
+    // the rule didn't re-run.
+    widget?.style.removeProperty("display");
+
+    rule.apply(document.body);
+
+    expect(widget?.style.display).toBe("");
+    expect(widget?.getAttribute(HIDDEN_ATTR)).toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  it("skips an element revealed for this rule on re-scan", () => {
+    // REVEALED_ATTR is own-state and monotonic — once set, never
+    // cleared. The WeakSet memoizes the skip.
+    const { rule } = createSelectorHideRule({
+      id: RULE_ID,
+      label: "test",
+      description: "test",
+      alwaysOnSelectors: ["footer"],
+      hideLabel: HIDE_LABEL,
+    });
+    document.body.innerHTML = `<footer id="f" data-abs-revealed="${RULE_ID}">revealed</footer>`;
+
+    rule.apply(document.body);
+    rule.apply(document.body);
+
+    // Skipped both times: no placeholder, original footer present.
+    expect(document.querySelector("#f")).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(document.querySelector(`.${PLACEHOLDER_CLASS}`)).toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  it("does NOT memoize ancestor-relative skips — element re-evaluated if it moves out from under a revealed ancestor", () => {
+    // The safety boundary the WeakSet design intentionally preserves.
+    // closest('[REVEALED_ATTR=id]') skips depend on ancestry, which
+    // can change; if we memoized this we'd silently miss matches that
+    // move out of a revealed wrapper.
+    const { rule } = createSelectorHideRule({
+      id: RULE_ID,
+      label: "test",
+      description: "test",
+      alwaysOnSelectors: ["footer"],
+      hideLabel: HIDE_LABEL,
+    });
+    document.body.innerHTML = `
+      <div id="wrap" data-abs-revealed="${RULE_ID}">
+        <footer id="inner">x</footer>
+      </div>
+      <div id="newhome"></div>
+    `;
+
+    rule.apply(document.body);
+    // Inside the revealed wrapper — skipped.
+    expect(document.querySelector("#inner")).not.toBeNull();
+    expect(document.querySelector(`.${PLACEHOLDER_CLASS}`)).toBeNull();
+
+    // Move the footer out of the wrapper.
+    const inner = document.querySelector<HTMLElement>("#inner");
+    document.querySelector("#newhome")?.append(inner as HTMLElement);
+
+    rule.apply(document.body);
+    // Now eligible — should have been hidden.
+    expect(document.querySelector("#inner")).toBeNull();
+    expect(document.querySelector(`.${PLACEHOLDER_CLASS}`)).not.toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  it("does NOT memoize 'inside an existing placeholder' skips", () => {
+    // Parallel safety boundary for the closest('.placeholder') check.
+    // If the placeholder is replaced (e.g., user reveals it), an
+    // element that used to live inside it is now exposed and should
+    // be re-evaluated.
+    const { rule } = createSelectorHideRule({
+      id: RULE_ID,
+      label: "test",
+      description: "test",
+      alwaysOnSelectors: ["footer"],
+      hideLabel: HIDE_LABEL,
+    });
+    const fakePlaceholder = document.createElement("div");
+    fakePlaceholder.classList.add(PLACEHOLDER_CLASS);
+    const inner = document.createElement("footer");
+    inner.id = "inner";
+    inner.textContent = "x";
+    fakePlaceholder.append(inner);
+    document.body.append(fakePlaceholder);
+
+    rule.apply(document.body);
+    expect(document.querySelector("#inner")).not.toBeNull();
+
+    // Strip placeholder-ness from the wrapper (simulates the user
+    // revealing it).
+    fakePlaceholder.classList.remove(PLACEHOLDER_CLASS);
+
+    rule.apply(document.body);
+    expect(document.querySelector("#inner")).toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  it("memoizes the placeholder-self check so re-scans don't re-pay the classList read", () => {
+    // Behavioral assertion via spy: once the rule scans a candidate
+    // that is itself a placeholder, the next scan should not call
+    // classList.contains for that same element. Hard to assert
+    // directly without internals, so we proxy via a spy on
+    // Element.prototype.getAttribute and confirm the count is bounded.
+    const { rule } = createSelectorHideRule({
+      id: RULE_ID,
+      label: "test",
+      description: "test",
+      alwaysOnSelectors: ["div"],
+      candidateFilter: (element) =>
+        element.classList.contains(PLACEHOLDER_CLASS),
+      hideLabel: HIDE_LABEL,
+    });
+    document.body.innerHTML = `<div class="${PLACEHOLDER_CLASS}">x</div>`;
+
+    const placeholder = document.querySelector<HTMLElement>(
+      `.${PLACEHOLDER_CLASS}`,
+    ) as HTMLElement;
+    const getAttributeSpy = jest.spyOn(placeholder, "getAttribute");
+
+    rule.apply(document.body);
+    // First scan: own-state classList check hits, getAttribute not
+    // called for marker checks on this element (the placeholder
+    // branch short-circuits before the getAttribute lines).
+    const firstScanCalls = getAttributeSpy.mock.calls.length;
+
+    rule.apply(document.body);
+    // Second scan: WeakSet bypass means we never even reach the
+    // classList check. getAttribute call count stays flat.
+    expect(getAttributeSpy.mock.calls.length).toBe(firstScanCalls);
+    getAttributeSpy.mockRestore();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/extension/src/lib/selector-hide-rule.ts b/extension/src/lib/selector-hide-rule.ts
index 2511eb0..4d69e6c 100644
--- a/extension/src/lib/selector-hide-rule.ts
+++ b/extension/src/lib/selector-hide-rule.ts
@@ -89,6 +89,23 @@ export function createSelectorHideRule(
   let memoSelectors: readonly string[] = [];
   let memoJoined = "";
 
+  // Per-rule cache of elements this scan has already concluded a skip
+  // (or hide) for. Bypasses the 5 marker reads (PLACEHOLDER_CLASS check,
+  // 2 closest() walks, 2 getAttribute calls) on subsequent scans where
+  // the same element keeps surfacing — typical on infinite-scroll feeds
+  // and SPA route sweeps where the dispatcher's QSA re-finds every
+  // already-processed candidate.
+  //
+  // Markers stay in the DOM so other rules and reveal-click handlers
+  // can read them; the WeakSet is purely a hot-loop perf bypass for
+  // this rule's own re-scans. Membership is only added when the skip
+  // reason is the element's *own* state (its own classList /
+  // attribute marker) — ancestor-relative checks (`closest(.placeholder)`
+  // / `closest([REVEALED_ATTR=id])`) intentionally do NOT add to the
+  // set, because the element could later move out from under the
+  // matched ancestor.
+  const processed = new WeakSet<HTMLElement>();
+
   function refreshMemo(url: string): void {
     if (url === memoUrl) {
       return;
@@ -148,19 +165,32 @@ export function createSelectorHideRule(
       if (!element.isConnected) {
         continue;
       }
+      // Fast path: a previous scan already concluded this element should
+      // be skipped (or hid it). Saves the 5 marker reads below.
+      if (processed.has(element)) {
+        continue;
+      }
       if (element.classList.contains(PLACEHOLDER_CLASS)) {
+        processed.add(element);
         continue;
       }
       if (element.closest(`.${PLACEHOLDER_CLASS}`)) {
+        // Ancestor-relative — don't memoize. If the placeholder is
+        // later revealed (its click handler swaps the placeholder back
+        // out), this element's "inside a placeholder" status flips and
+        // we want the next scan to re-evaluate.
         continue;
       }
       if (element.getAttribute(REVEALED_ATTR) === id) {
+        processed.add(element);
         continue;
       }
       if (element.closest(`[${REVEALED_ATTR}="${id}"]`)) {
+        // Same reason as above: ancestor-relative, don't memoize.
         continue;
       }
       if (element.getAttribute(HIDDEN_ATTR) === id) {
+        processed.add(element);
         continue;
       }
       if (removeEntirely) {
@@ -176,6 +206,7 @@ export function createSelectorHideRule(
         // hideLabel is guaranteed non-undefined by the constructor check above.
         replaceWithBlockPlaceholder(element, id, hideLabel as string);
       }
+      processed.add(element);
     }
   }