Your Complete Guide to Blocking Ads on the Internet

Internet ads can be intrusive, dangerous, or just downright annoying. Thankfully, there are a few ways you can block them on both your computer and your phone. In this article, we'll teach you how to use an ad block extension on a Windows PC, Mac, and iPhone, plus which browsers have built-in ad block features. We also answer a number of ad-block FAQs, including how to block ads on an Android.

Ways to Block Internet Ads

Use an ad block extension on Windows, Mac, or iPhone. uBlock Origin is the best choice for non-Safari browsers, while AdGuard works best on Safari.
Use a browser with built-in ad-blocking features like Brave, Opera, or Vivaldi.
On Android, use a browser app with built-in ad blocking, or switch to a browser app that allows you to add desktop extensions.

Section 1 of 5:

Using Ad Blocking Browser Extensions

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1
Download uBlock Origin. uBlock Origin is widely considered to be the best ad-block extension available for Firefox, Edge, and Opera. Chrome can no longer use the original uBlock Origin, but there is an option called uBlock Origin Lite.
- Below is where you can find uBlock Origin, depending on your browser. To install it, simply click on the Add, Get, or Install button.
  - Chrome Web Store (uBlock Origin Lite)
  - Edge Add-Ons
  - Firefox Add-Ons
  - Opera Addons
- Other options for Chrome include AdGuard and Ghostery. Installing these extensions will be similar to installing uBlock Origin for other browsers, so feel free to use the steps below to install these extensions as well.
2
Add additional filters (optional). uBlock Origin actually recommends not enabling every filter, as this increases the chances of issues occurring.^{[1]
X
Research source} However, if you want to add some additional filters, this is what uBlock Origin recommends:
- Click on the uBlock Origin extension icon at the top of your browser window.
- Click the settings cog icon.
- Click the Filter lists heading at the top of the screen.
- Enable the following filters, if desired:
  - uBlock filters – Annoyances
  - EasyList/uBO – Cookie Notices
  - EasyList – Annoyances

Section 2 of 5:

Using AdGuard for Mac

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1
Download the AdGuard app. You can do this from the Mac App Store. There are other ad-blocking apps for Safari, but AdGuard is a popular choice. If you want to use a different app, the setup steps will essentially be the same, so you can still follow the steps in this method to use it.
- Other ad blockers for Safari on Mac include Ghostery (free) and Wipr ($4.99).
This will open AdGuard's setup.
This will bring you directly to your Safari settings, where you can enable the AdGuard extension.
4
Click the box next to the AdGuard filters you want to use. AdGuard splits its filters up into multiple extensions so you can pick and choose which filters you want to apply. AdGuard recommends only enabling the filters that you need to avoid incorrect ad-blocking issues.^{[2]
X
Research source} You'll need to confirm that you want to enable each extension after you click the box next to it. Here's what each extension does:
- AdGuard: This general filter is the most comprehensive and includes filters for ads in different languages.
- AdGuard Privacy: This filter blocks tracking mechanisms to keep your activity private.
- AdGuard Social: This filter blocks pop-ups, social media buttons, online assistant windows, and other on-screen elements that might be annoying.
- AdGuard Security: This filter blocks potentially harmful webpage elements to protect you from malicious sites or scammers.
- AdGuard Other: This filter encompasses all other rules that don't fall under the umbrella of the other filters.
- AdGuard Custom: This will apply any custom filters you've set up.
It will refresh to show AdGuard's settings once the extensions have permission to run.
This will enable AdGuard when you log in to your computer, so you don't have to worry about enabling it yourself from the AdGuard menu.^{[3]
X
Research source}

Section 3 of 5:

Using AdGuard for iPhone

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You can do so from the iPhone App Store. There are multiple ad-blocking apps for iPhone, but AdGuard is a popular choice, with over 17,000 reviews on the App Store.^{[4]
X
Research source} However, installing and using any ad block app will be roughly the same process, so you can follow the steps below for any that you want to use.
Tap the Settings app, which resembles a grey box with gears on it.
The Apps option is at the bottom of your Settings menu. Within the Settings menu, the Safari option is towards the bottom of the list, since it's arranged alphabetically.
This is under the "General" heading. This is the built-in feature to stop pop-ups in Safari. You can use this in conjunction with AdGuard.
It's under the "General" heading, directly under the "Block Pop-ups" option.
6
Toggle on the AdGuard filters you want to use. If you tap one of the extensions that says "AdGuard," you'll see an option to toggle it on. AdGuard splits its filters up into multiple extensions so you can pick and choose which filters you want to apply. AdGuard recommends only enabling the filters that you need to avoid incorrect ad-blocking issues.^{[5]
X
Research source} Here's what each extension does:
- AdGuard: This general filter is the most comprehensive and includes filters for ads in different languages.
- AdGuard Privacy: This filter blocks tracking mechanisms to keep your activity private.
- AdGuard Social: This filter blocks pop-ups, social media buttons, online assistant windows, and other on-screen elements that might be annoying.
- AdGuard Security: This filter blocks potentially harmful webpage elements to protect you from malicious sites or scammers.
- AdGuard Other: This filter encompasses all other rules that don't fall under the umbrella of the other filters.
- AdGuard Custom: If you have an AdGuard account, this will apply your custom filters.

Section 4 of 5:

Using a Web Browser That Blocks Ads

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Many browsers have built-in ad-blocking features. However, not all browsers have equally effective built-in ad blockers. Most browsers have built-in tools to block trackers, but these browsers have more robust built-in tools to block intrusive ads:
- Brave: Brave has a built-in ad blocker called Brave Shields. This feature blocks intrusive ads, pop-ups, scripts, and more. You can toggle your Brave Shields settings easily by clicking on the Brave Shields icon in the taskbar.^{[6]
  X
  Research source}
  - Brave works on PC, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS.
- Opera: Opera also has a built-in ad blocker that you can access directly from the taskbar. It blocks ads and trackers before they load, so websites can load faster.^{[7]
  X
  Research source}
  - Opera works on PC, Mac, Linux, ChromeOS, Android, and iOS.
- Vivaldi: Vivaldi's ad blocker is built into the browser, and it can be accessed from the taskbar. By default, Vivaldi will block trackers, but you can block trackers and intrusive ads without needing any extensions.^{[8]
  X
  Research source}
  - Vivaldi works on PC, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS.

Section 5 of 5:

Frequently Asked Questions

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1
Can I use Chrome extensions on Android? No, Chrome on Android does not currently support extensions. Your best option to block ads on Android is to use a browser app with built-in ad blockers or to use an alternative browser app that allows you to install Chrome desktop extensions.
2
Can I use uBlock Origin in Safari? No, Safari does not support uBlock Origin. You'll have to use a different ad blocker extension instead, such as AdGuard.
3
Can I use uBlock Origin in Brave? Yes, you can install uBlock Origin on Brave by making a quick change to your settings:
- Click the three-line menu in Brave.
- Click Settings.
- Click Extensions.
- Click Manifest v2 extensions.
- Click the switch next to "uBlock Origin" to toggle it on.
4
Why is the internet full of ads? Ads generate revenue, which covers the cost of providing free content on the internet. However, ads are often intrusive and sometimes dangerous, and some lead to scam sites.
5
Can ad blockers block YouTube and Spotify ads? Yes, uBlock Origin will block YouTube and Spotify ads. uBlock Origin Lite struggles to consistently block YouTube and Spotify ads, however.

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How can I stop ads on my phone when connected to the web?

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You could install ad-blocking software, which can be found across all platforms.

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How do I stop ads on my phone?

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Install an app that prevents ads. For iOS, there's an app called "AdBlock" that is free.

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How can l block ads in my Samsung mobile?

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You could install ad-blocking software. To do this, simply go to your app store and search, "ad block for Samsung," in the search bar.

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Warnings

No ad blocker is 100 percent effective. Even with an ad blocker installed, you may come across some ads.

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Some sites won't let you view their content unless you disable your ad blocker first.

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