Facebook's built-in ad controls let you see fewer ads from specific advertisers, but you cannot turn off all ads entirely
Facebook makes money from advertising, so the platform will not let you disable ads completely. What you can do is reduce ads from particular advertisers, hide ads about certain topics, and limit how much of your data Facebook uses to target ads toward you. These controls live in your Settings, and they work by telling Facebook which ads bother you most — the system then learns to show you different ones instead.
You can also use browser extensions and privacy settings to block some ads before they load, though these methods work differently than Facebook's own tools and may affect how the site functions.
Key Takeaways
- Facebook's ad preferences let you hide ads from specific companies and see fewer ads about topics that do not interest you.
- You can limit ad targeting by reducing the data Facebook collects about your interests, but ads will still appear.
- Browser extensions like uBlock Origin block ads at the network level, though they may break some Facebook features.
- Adjusting your privacy settings to limit data sharing with third parties reduces how precisely Facebook can target ads to you.
- None of these methods remove ads entirely — Facebook's business model depends on showing you advertisements.
Hide ads from specific advertisers in your Facebook settings
The fastest way to see fewer ads from a company you do not want to hear from is to tell Facebook directly. When you see an ad, click the three dots in the top right corner of that ad and select "Hide ad" or "See fewer ads from this advertiser." Facebook then notes that you do not want to see content from that company and deprioritizes their ads in your feed.
You can also manage advertisers in bulk through Settings. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Ads. Click "Advertisers and businesses" to see a list of every company that has paid to show you ads. You can click any advertiser's name and choose "Hide ads from this advertiser." This does not prevent the company from advertising on Facebook — it just tells Facebook not to show their ads to you personally.
This method works best if you have a few specific advertisers you want to avoid. If you are drowning in ads from dozens of companies, the next section covers broader controls.
Reduce ad targeting by limiting your interests and data sharing
Facebook builds a profile of your interests based on what you click, what you search for, and what you buy. The more detailed this profile, the more precisely Facebook can target ads to you. You can thin out this profile by removing interests Facebook has assigned to you.
In Settings, go to Ads, then "Ad preferences." Under "Your interests," you will see a list of categories Facebook thinks describe you — things like "Technology," "Fitness," or "Home Decor." Click any category and select "Remove" to tell Facebook to stop using that interest for ad targeting. Removing interests does not hide ads, but it makes the ads less relevant to you, which often means seeing fewer of them.
You can also limit how much data Facebook shares with advertisers. In Settings, go to Apps and Websites, then "Apps and websites others use." This shows third-party apps and websites that have sent Facebook information about you. You can remove access for any of them. Fewer data sources means Facebook has less information to build your interest profile with, which reduces how finely it can target ads.
Use browser extensions to block ads before they load
uBlock Origin is a free browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari that blocks ads at the network level — meaning the ads never load in the first place. Install it from your browser's extension store, and it will automatically block most ads on Facebook and everywhere else you browse.
The trade-off is that some Facebook features may break. For example, video autoplay sometimes stops working, or the "See More" button in comments may not expand properly. If you notice something is not working on Facebook, try temporarily disabling uBlock Origin for that site by clicking its icon and selecting "Disable on this site."
Adblock Plus is another option, though it is less aggressive than uBlock Origin and may let some ads through. Both extensions are free and do not sell your data, but they do require you to trust the extension maker with access to everything you do in your browser.
Adjust your privacy settings to limit data collection
The less data Facebook has about you, the harder it is to target ads precisely. Start by limiting who can see your activity. In Settings, go to Privacy, then "Who can see your posts?" and change it from "Public" to "Friends" if you want fewer strangers seeing your content. Facebook still collects data about what you do, but fewer outside companies can buy access to it.
You can also turn off off-site activity tracking. In Settings, go to Apps and Websites, then "Off-Facebook Activity." This shows you all the websites and apps that have sent Facebook information about what you do outside Facebook. Click "Clear history" to tell Facebook to forget this data, and toggle "Future off-Facebook activity" to "Off" so Facebook stops collecting it going forward. This does not stop the tracking entirely — websites still send the data — but it prevents Facebook from using it to build your profile.
Understand what these methods do and do not do
None of these methods will remove ads from Facebook. The platform is free because advertisers pay to reach you. What these tools do is reduce how targeted the ads are, hide ads from specific companies, and make the ads less relevant to your interests.
If you hide ads from an advertiser or remove an interest, Facebook will show you different ads instead — not no ads. If you use a browser extension like uBlock Origin, you will see fewer ads, but some may still slip through, and you may lose some site functionality. If you limit data sharing, Facebook will show you less targeted ads, which often means more generic or less relevant ones.
The goal of these tools is to give you some control over what you see, not to opt out of advertising altogether. Facebook's business model does not allow for that option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn off all ads on Facebook?
No. Facebook is free because advertisers pay to reach users. You cannot disable ads entirely, but you can reduce how many you see and how targeted they are by using the methods above.
Will hiding ads from an advertiser stop them from collecting my data?
No. Hiding ads only tells Facebook not to show you that advertiser's content. The company can still collect data about you through other means — their website, apps, or third-party data brokers. To limit data collection, adjust your privacy settings and turn off off-site activity tracking.
Does uBlock Origin work on mobile Facebook?
uBlock Origin works on Firefox for Android and some other mobile browsers, but not on the official Facebook app. If you use the Facebook app on your phone, you are limited to Facebook's built-in ad controls. Mobile browsers offer more flexibility than the app.
If I remove interests from my profile, will ads stop appearing?
No. Removing interests makes ads less targeted to you, but Facebook will still show ads — they will just be more generic. You might see ads for things you do not care about instead of things you do.
What happens if I block a website in my off-site activity?
Blocking a website in your off-site activity history tells Facebook to stop using data from that site to target ads. It does not prevent the website from tracking you or from sending data to Facebook — it just prevents Facebook from using that data in your profile.