How to Block Ads on Websites and Apps

The simplest way to block ads

The fastest way to block ads is to install an ad blocker extension in your web browser. Extensions like uBlock Origin, Adblock Plus, and Brave Shield sit between you and the websites you visit, stopping ads from loading before they appear on your screen. You install them once, they work automatically on every site you visit, and most are free.

If you use a browser like Brave that has ad blocking built in, you don't need to install anything — it blocks ads by default. If you use Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge, you'll need to add an extension from your browser's store. The process takes about two minutes: search for the extension by name, click "Add to Browser" or "Install", and confirm the permission prompt.

Ad blockers work on desktop and mobile browsers, though mobile versions sometimes have fewer features. They do not work on ads inside apps — only on websites viewed through a browser.

Key Takeaways

Ad blocker extensions like uBlock Origin and Adblock Plus stop ads from loading on websites and are free to install from your browser's extension store.
Some browsers including Brave and Firefox Focus have ad blocking built in without needing a separate extension.
Ad blockers work on websites but not on ads inside standalone apps or video streaming services.
Some websites detect ad blockers and ask you to turn them off or pay for ad-free access before you can read their content.
Your browser's privacy settings and DNS-level blocking offer additional ad reduction without installing an extension.

Popular ad blocker extensions and what they block

uBlock Origin is the most widely used ad blocker. It blocks display ads, video ads, pop-ups, and tracking scripts. It's lightweight, meaning it uses very little of your computer's memory, and it works on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. The extension is free and has no paid version.

Adblock Plus blocks similar ads but works slightly differently — it allows some "acceptable ads" by default, though you can turn this off in settings. It's available on the same browsers as uBlock Origin. Adblock Plus also offers a paid version that removes the acceptable ads list, but the free version is sufficient for most people.

Brave Shield is built into the Brave browser itself. If you switch to Brave, you get ad blocking without installing anything. Brave also blocks trackers and fingerprinting attempts — techniques websites use to follow you across the internet. Brave is a full browser, not just an extension, so switching to it is a bigger change than adding an extension to your current browser.

Firefox Focus is a mobile-only browser from Mozilla that blocks ads and trackers automatically. It's useful if you want a lightweight browser for your phone that doesn't store browsing history.

What happens when a website detects your ad blocker

Some websites know when you're using an ad blocker and will ask you to turn it off before you can read their content. News sites, streaming services, and content sites do this because ads are how they pay for the content you're reading. You'll see a message like "Please disable your ad blocker to continue" or "Subscribe to remove ads".

You have three choices: turn off the ad blocker for that site, leave the site, or pay for an ad-free subscription if one is offered. Turning off the ad blocker for a single site is usually the easiest option. In most ad blockers, you can click the extension icon and select "Disable on this site" — the ads will load only on that website, and the blocker will stay active everywhere else.

Some ad blockers have filters that hide these detection messages, but this is an arms race — websites update their detection code, and ad blockers update their filters. It's not a permanent solution.

Using your browser's built-in privacy settings instead of an extension

If you don't want to install an extension, your browser has some built-in tools that reduce ads and tracking, though they're not as thorough as a dedicated ad blocker. These settings don't block ads entirely — they block the tracking that makes ads targeted to you.

In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Third-party cookies and select "Block third-party cookies". In Firefox, go to Settings > Privacy & Security and set Enhanced Tracking Protection to "Strict". In Safari, go to Settings > Privacy and turn on "Prevent cross-site tracking". In Edge, go to Settings > Privacy > Tracking prevention and select "Strict".

These settings make ads less personalized and stop websites from building a profile of your browsing habits. You'll still see ads, but they won't follow you from site to site, and they won't be based on your search history or previous purchases.

DNS-level ad blocking for your whole network

If you want to block ads on every device in your home at once — phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs — you can change your DNS settings. DNS is the system that translates website names into the addresses your device needs to find them. Some DNS providers, like Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 for Families and Quad9, block ads and malware at the DNS level before any device even tries to load them.

To use DNS-level blocking, you change the DNS settings on your router or on individual devices. On a router, you log in to your router's settings (usually by typing 192.168.1.1 into your browser), find the DNS settings, and enter the new DNS addresses provided by the service. This blocks ads on every device connected to your Wi-Fi.

The downside is that DNS blocking is less precise than browser extensions — it can sometimes block legitimate content by mistake, and you can't easily turn it off for a single website. It's most useful if you want a simple, set-it-once solution for your whole household.

Why websites show you ads and what ad blockers cost you

Ads are how most websites pay for the content you read for free. When you block ads, you're blocking the revenue that keeps those sites running. Some websites respond by asking you to pay for a subscription or turn off your ad blocker. Others accept that some visitors use ad blockers and rely on the people who don't.

Using an ad blocker doesn't cost you money directly, but it does mean you're not seeing the ads that fund the content. If you use ad blockers on sites you visit regularly and care about, consider turning off the blocker for those sites or paying for an ad-free subscription if one is available. This is how creators and journalists get paid for their work.

Ad blockers also use a small amount of your computer's memory and can slightly slow down page loading, though modern ad blockers like uBlock Origin are designed to be lightweight. The slowdown is usually not noticeable.

Ad blocking on mobile apps and streaming services

Ad blockers that work on websites do not work inside apps. If you use the YouTube app, the Facebook app, or any other standalone app, an ad blocker extension won't stop the ads inside it. You would need to use the website version in your mobile browser instead, where your ad blocker will work.

Streaming services like Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube have their own ad models. Netflix and Spotify offer paid tiers without ads. YouTube Premium removes ads from videos. Free tiers of these services show ads, and ad blockers can't remove them because the ads are part of the service itself, not loaded from external sources.

Some apps have settings to reduce ads or turn off personalized ads, but these don't remove ads entirely — they just make them less targeted. Check the app's settings under Privacy or Ads to see what options are available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will an ad blocker slow down my computer or phone?

Modern ad blockers like uBlock Origin use very little memory and have minimal impact on speed. Older or poorly designed ad blockers can slow things down, but the popular ones are optimized to be lightweight. You may actually notice pages load faster because the ad blocker stops large ad files from downloading.

Can websites tell I'm using an ad blocker and ban me?

Websites can detect ad blockers, but they rarely ban you. Most ask you to turn it off or pay for access. Some sites block you from reading until you disable the blocker, but you can usually turn it off just for that site in your extension settings and keep it on everywhere else.

Is it legal to use an ad blocker?

Yes, using an ad blocker is legal in most countries. Websites can ask you to turn it off or require payment, but they can't legally force you to see ads. Some countries have different rules, but in the United States and Europe, ad blocking is permitted.

What's the difference between uBlock Origin and Adblock Plus?

Both block ads effectively. uBlock Origin is lighter on memory and blocks more types of ads by default. Adblock Plus allows some "acceptable ads" by default, though you can turn this off. uBlock Origin is generally considered more thorough, but both are free and work well.

Do I need to pay for an ad blocker?

No. The most effective ad blockers including uBlock Origin, Adblock Plus, and Brave are free. Some offer paid versions with extra features, but the free versions block ads just as well. Be cautious of ad blockers that charge upfront — most legitimate ones are free.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.