The fastest way to reduce ads on Pinterest
Pinterest shows ads in your feed based on your activity and interests, and there is no setting to turn them off completely. However, you can reduce the number of ads you see by hiding individual ads, adjusting your ad preferences, and using browser extensions that block ads on the platform. The most direct approach is to hide ads as they appear — each ad has a menu that lets you mark it as not relevant, which trains Pinterest's system to show you fewer similar ads over time.
If you use Pinterest on a web browser, ad-blocking extensions like uBlock Origin or Adblock Plus can reduce ads significantly, though they may not catch every Pinterest ad since the platform integrates sponsored content into your regular feed. On mobile apps, your options are more limited because app-based ad blockers work differently than browser extensions, and Pinterest's terms of service restrict some blocking methods.
Key Takeaways
- Hiding individual ads by clicking the three-dot menu and selecting "Not relevant" teaches Pinterest to show you fewer ads like that one, though it does not remove ads entirely.
- Adjusting your ad preferences in Pinterest settings lets you control which topics and interests trigger ads, reducing ads for categories you do not want to see.
- Browser extensions like uBlock Origin work on Pinterest's website but not on the mobile app, and they may not catch every ad since Pinterest blends sponsored pins into your regular feed.
- Pinterest Premium removes most ads from your home feed and search results, though it costs money and is a paid subscription service.
Hide ads one at a time in your feed
Every ad on Pinterest has a three-dot menu in the top right corner. Click or tap that menu and select "Not relevant" or "Hide ad." Pinterest will show you fewer ads similar to the one you just hid. This method works on both the website and mobile app, and it is the fastest way to reduce ads you see right now.
The downside is that you have to do this for each ad individually — it does not stop all ads, only trains the system to avoid that type of ad in the future. If you see an ad for a product category you never want to see again, hiding it repeatedly will eventually reduce how often that category appears. Over time, hiding ads you do not want teaches Pinterest what to show you less of.
Adjust your ad preferences in settings
Pinterest lets you control which topics trigger ads by visiting your ad preferences. On the website, go to Settings, then click "Ads" in the left menu. On the mobile app, tap your profile icon, then Settings, then "Ads." You will see a list of interests and topics that Pinterest uses to target ads to you.
You can toggle off any interest or topic you do not want to see ads for. For example, if you turn off "Fashion" or "Home Decor," Pinterest will show you fewer ads related to those categories. This does not remove all ads — Pinterest will still show you ads based on other interests — but it narrows the types of ads you see. You can also click on individual interests to see more detail about why Pinterest thinks you are interested in that topic.
Use a browser extension to block ads on the website
If you use Pinterest on a computer, ad-blocking browser extensions can reduce ads significantly. uBlock Origin and Adblock Plus are two popular free options that work on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari. Install the extension from your browser's store, and it will start blocking ads on most websites, including Pinterest.
The limitation is that Pinterest blends sponsored pins into your regular feed, so some ads may still get through even with an extension active. Extensions work best at blocking banner ads and obvious sponsored content, but they may miss ads that look like regular pins. Also, extensions only work on the website — they do not work on the Pinterest mobile app, since apps do not support browser extensions the same way.
Why you cannot block all ads on Pinterest
Pinterest's business model depends on advertising, so the platform does not offer a way to turn off all ads for free. The company also designs its ads to blend into your feed as regular pins, which makes them harder for ad blockers to detect. Even if you hide ads and adjust your preferences, you will still see some sponsored content because Pinterest considers ads part of the core experience.
Additionally, Pinterest's terms of service discourage the use of ad blockers, though using them is not illegal. If you use an extension that blocks ads, Pinterest may not show you certain features or may limit your account in other ways, though this is rare. The most reliable way to remove ads entirely is to pay for Pinterest Premium, which is a subscription service that removes most ads from your home feed and search results.
What Pinterest Premium does and costs
Pinterest Premium is a paid subscription that removes most ads from your home feed, search results, and notifications. The service costs money — the exact price varies by country and changes over time, so check Pinterest's pricing page for your region. Premium also includes features like the ability to save more pins and access to Pinterest's analytics tools if you run a business account.
If you are a heavy Pinterest user and ads bother you significantly, Premium may be worth the cost. However, if you only use Pinterest occasionally, hiding ads as they appear or adjusting your preferences may be enough to reduce the ads you see without paying for a subscription.
Mobile app limitations for blocking ads
The Pinterest mobile app does not support browser extensions, so ad-blocking tools that work on the website do not work on your phone or tablet. Some third-party apps claim to block ads on Pinterest's mobile app, but they often require you to give them access to your account or device, which creates security risks. Pinterest's terms of service also restrict these types of tools, so using them may violate the platform's rules.
On mobile, your best options are to hide individual ads as they appear and adjust your ad preferences in settings. Both of these methods work on the app and do not require installing additional software. If you want to avoid ads entirely on mobile, Pinterest Premium is the only reliable option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does hiding ads on Pinterest actually reduce the number of ads I see?
Yes, but gradually. When you hide an ad and mark it as not relevant, Pinterest learns to show you fewer ads like that one. However, you will still see ads from other categories and interests. The more ads you hide, the more Pinterest adjusts what it shows you, but you will never reach zero ads unless you pay for Premium.
Can I block ads on the Pinterest mobile app?
No, not with browser extensions or third-party ad blockers. Mobile apps do not support extensions the way websites do. Your options on mobile are to hide individual ads as they appear, adjust your ad preferences in settings, or subscribe to Pinterest Premium. Both hiding ads and adjusting preferences work on the app without any additional tools.
Is it safe to use third-party apps that claim to block Pinterest ads?
Most third-party ad-blocking apps for mobile require access to your account or device data, which creates security and privacy risks. They may also violate Pinterest's terms of service. Stick with Pinterest's built-in tools — hiding ads and adjusting preferences — which are safe and do not require giving access to outside apps.
Will Pinterest Premium remove all ads?
Pinterest Premium removes most ads from your home feed and search results, but some sponsored content may still appear. The subscription is the most effective paid option for reducing ads, but it does not may provide zero ads. Check Pinterest's current pricing and features before subscribing, since the service changes over time.
What happens if Pinterest detects I am using an ad blocker?
Pinterest may limit certain features or show you a message asking you to disable the extension, but using an ad blocker is not illegal and rarely results in account suspension. However, if you want to avoid any potential issues, use Pinterest's built-in tools instead — hiding ads and adjusting preferences are fully supported by the platform.