Where ads come from and what you can do about them
Ads appear on websites, apps, and videos because companies pay to show them to you. You cannot stop all ads everywhere — some are built into the service you use — but you can block most of them on your browser, reduce them in apps, and turn off personalized ad targeting on your devices.
The method depends on what you are using: a web browser gets ads blocked with extensions or built-in settings, apps have their own ad controls, and your phone or computer has privacy settings that limit how much data advertisers can collect about you. Each approach works differently and blocks different types of ads.
Key Takeaways
- Browser extensions like uBlock Origin and Adblock Plus block most ads on websites, and most browsers also have built-in ad-blocking or privacy features you can turn on.
- Apps show ads through their own systems, so you control them through the app's settings menu or by paying for an ad-free version if one exists.
- Your phone's privacy settings let you limit ad tracking and reset your advertising ID, which reduces how many personalized ads you see across apps.
- Some websites require you to turn off ad blockers to view content, and some services like YouTube offer paid subscriptions that remove ads entirely.
- Ad blockers work best on desktop browsers; mobile browsers have fewer options, and in-app ads are harder to block without paying for premium versions.
Using browser extensions to block ads on websites
uBlock Origin is the most widely used ad blocker. It works on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. Install it from your browser's extension store, and it blocks ads on most websites immediately without any setup. You can click the uBlock icon in your toolbar to see what it blocked on each page, or to temporarily turn it off for a site you want to support.
Adblock Plus is another popular choice that works the same way. It is less aggressive than uBlock Origin — it allows some ads it considers "acceptable" — but you can turn that off in settings if you want to block everything. Both extensions are free and do not sell your data.
After you install an extension, you usually do not need to do anything else. The blocker runs in the background. Some websites will ask you to turn off your ad blocker to view their content; you can do this by clicking the extension icon and selecting "disable on this site" or by using your browser's incognito mode, which does not load extensions.
Built-in ad and tracking controls in your browser
Most modern browsers have privacy features that block some ads and trackers without needing an extension. Firefox has "Enhanced Tracking Protection" turned on by default, which blocks many ad trackers. Chrome has a built-in ad blocker that removes ads from sites that show too many or too intrusive ads, though it does not block all ads. Safari on Mac and iPhone includes "Intelligent Tracking Prevention," which limits how much data advertisers can collect about you.
To check your browser's settings: in Firefox, go to Settings > Privacy & Security and look for "Enhanced Tracking Protection." In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and other site data. In Safari, go to Settings > Privacy and look for "Prevent cross-site tracking." These settings are usually already on, but you can make them stricter if you want.
Built-in controls are less aggressive than extensions — they block tracking but may not remove ads from the page itself. If you want to block more ads, use an extension alongside your browser's built-in settings.
Controlling ads in mobile apps
Apps show ads through their own systems, so you control them through the app's settings, not through your phone's browser. Open the app, look for a Settings or Preferences menu, and search for "ads" or "notifications." Some apps let you turn off ads entirely; others let you choose what types of ads you see.
If an app has a paid version without ads, you will usually see a button to upgrade inside the app itself. Apps like Spotify, YouTube, and Kindle offer ad-free subscriptions. Free versions of games often show ads between levels or offer to remove them for a one-time payment.
You cannot use browser ad blockers inside apps because apps do not use your browser. If an app shows too many ads and has no paid option, your only choice is to uninstall it and find a different app that does the same thing.
Limiting ad tracking on your phone or computer
Advertisers track you across apps and websites using an advertising ID — a unique number your phone assigns to you. You can reset this ID or turn off ad tracking entirely in your device settings.
On iPhone or iPad: go to Settings > Privacy > Apple Advertising, then toggle off "Personalized Ads." You can also go to Settings > Privacy > Apple Advertising and tap "Reset Advertising ID" to get a new ID, which clears your ad history.
On Android: go to Settings > Google > Manage Your Google Account > Data & Privacy, scroll to "Ad settings," and tap "Reset advertising ID." You can also toggle off "Ads personalization" to stop seeing ads based on your interests.
On Windows: go to Settings > Privacy & Security > General and toggle off "Tailored experiences." On Mac: go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Apple Advertising and toggle off "Personalized Ads."
Resetting your advertising ID does not stop ads from appearing — it just clears the history advertisers have built about you. Turning off personalized ads means you will still see ads, but they will be random rather than based on your browsing and app use.
When websites block ad blockers and what to do
Some websites detect ad blockers and refuse to let you view content until you turn them off. You have a few options: disable the blocker for that site only, use incognito or private browsing mode (which does not load extensions), or read the site in a different browser where you have not installed an ad blocker.
To disable an extension for one site: click the extension icon in your toolbar and select "disable on this site" or "don't run on this domain." The blocker will stay on everywhere else.
To use incognito mode: in Chrome, press Ctrl+Shift+N (Windows) or Command+Shift+N (Mac). In Firefox, press Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows) or Command+Shift+P (Mac). In Safari, press Command+Shift+N. Incognito mode does not load your extensions, so websites will not detect your ad blocker, but it also does not save your browsing history.
Paid subscriptions that remove ads
Many services offer ad-free versions for a monthly or yearly fee. YouTube Premium removes ads from videos and costs $13.99 per month. Spotify Premium removes ads and costs $11.99 per month. Hulu offers an ad-free plan for $17.99 per month. Reddit Premium removes ads for $5.99 per month.
These subscriptions also usually include other benefits — YouTube Premium includes offline downloads, Spotify Premium includes higher audio quality, and Hulu Premium includes early access to new episodes. If you use a service frequently and the ads bother you, a subscription may be worth the cost.
Some services offer free ad-free trials. YouTube Premium and Spotify Premium both offer one-month free trials, so you can test whether the ad-free experience is worth paying for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do ad blockers slow down my browser?
Ad blockers use a small amount of memory and processing power, but most people do not notice a difference in speed. uBlock Origin is designed to be lightweight. If you notice your browser is slow, try disabling the extension temporarily to see if it makes a difference, or switch to a lighter extension like uBlock Origin if you are using a heavier one.
Can websites tell I am using an ad blocker?
Yes, websites can detect ad blockers because the blocker removes ads from the page. Some websites show a message asking you to turn it off. Others block access entirely until you disable it. You can usually get around this by using incognito mode or by disabling the blocker for that specific site.
Will turning off ad tracking stop all ads?
No. Turning off ad tracking stops personalized ads — ads based on your interests and browsing history — but you will still see ads. They will just be random or based on the page you are viewing rather than on data about you. To stop ads entirely, use a browser extension or pay for an ad-free subscription.
Is it legal to use an ad blocker?
Yes, ad blockers are legal in most countries. Websites can ask you to turn them off, and they can refuse to show you content if you do not, but they cannot punish you for using one. Some websites depend on ad revenue, so blocking ads may affect whether they can keep operating, but the choice is yours.
Why do some ads still get through my ad blocker?
Ad blockers use filter lists that are updated regularly, but new ads and ad networks appear constantly. If an ad gets through, you can report it to the extension developer, and they can add it to the filter list. You can also manually block ads by right-clicking them and selecting "block this ad" in most extensions.