The simplest ways to reduce ads on Facebook
Facebook does not offer a built-in button to turn off ads entirely — the platform makes money from advertising, so blocking them completely requires either accepting them or using a browser extension. Your realistic options are: adjust Facebook's own ad preferences to see fewer targeted ads, use a browser extension that hides ads on the page, or switch to Facebook's paid subscription (Meta Verified) which removes ads but costs money monthly.
The easiest starting point is Facebook's ad preferences, which lets you tell Facebook which topics and companies you do not want to see ads from. This does not eliminate ads, but it can reduce the ones that feel most invasive. If you want ads gone from the page itself, a browser extension like uBlock Origin or Adblock Plus will hide them visually, though Facebook still loads them in the background.
Key Takeaways
- Facebook's ad preferences let you hide ads from specific companies and topics, but you will still see some ads — just fewer targeted ones.
- Browser extensions like uBlock Origin block ads on Facebook and most other websites, and they work on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari.
- Meta Verified removes all ads from Facebook and Instagram for a monthly fee (the price varies by country and device type).
- Adjusting ad preferences takes five minutes and costs nothing, while extensions are free but require installation and occasional updates.
Using Facebook's own ad preference controls
Open Facebook and click the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the bottom right corner on mobile, or the downward arrow in the top right on desktop. Scroll to "Settings and privacy," then "Settings." On the left sidebar, click "Ads." You will see "Ad preferences" — click that.
From here, you can see which companies have targeted ads to you and why. Click any advertiser name to see the data Facebook has about you (your interests, location, age, device type). You can click "See less" to tell Facebook to show you fewer ads from that company. You can also click "Advertisers and businesses" to browse by category and block entire industries — for example, you could block all ads from weight loss companies or cryptocurrency exchanges.
This method reduces targeted ads but does not remove ads from your feed. Facebook will still show you ads, but they will be less personalized to your behavior. Some people find this noticeably less annoying; others see little difference. It costs nothing and takes about five minutes to set up.
Installing a browser extension to hide ads
uBlock Origin is the most popular free ad blocker and works on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari. Go to your browser's extension store (Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons, etc.), search "uBlock Origin," and click "Add to [browser]." Once installed, it blocks ads on Facebook and nearly every other website automatically. You do not need to adjust settings unless you want to — it works out of the box.
Adblock Plus is another common choice and works the same way: install it from your browser's store, and ads disappear from Facebook and other sites. Both extensions are free and supported by donations. Some websites ask you to disable the extension to view their content; Facebook does not, so you can keep it on while using the platform.
One thing to know: these extensions hide ads visually, but Facebook still loads them in the background. This means your internet connection uses slightly more data, and Facebook still tracks that you saw an ad (even though you did not). If you want to prevent Facebook from loading ads at all, that requires more advanced tools like a VPN or DNS-level blocker, which are beyond what most people need.
Paying for ad-free Facebook with Meta Verified
Meta Verified is Facebook's paid subscription that removes all ads from Facebook and Instagram. The price varies: on web browsers it costs around $12 per month in the United States, but on mobile apps it can be $15 per month or higher depending on your country and device. You also get a blue verification badge next to your name.
To sign up, go to Settings, click "Meta Verified," and follow the payment steps. You can cancel anytime. This is the only way to remove ads completely while still using Facebook normally — extensions hide ads visually but do not stop Facebook from loading them, and ad preferences only reduce targeted ads.
For most people, this is not worth the cost. But if you use Facebook heavily and find ads genuinely disruptive, it is an option that exists.
Why Facebook shows you ads even after you block them
When you use an ad blocker, Facebook loads the ad into your browser but the extension hides it before you see it. From Facebook's perspective, the ad was delivered — they still count it as an impression and may still charge the advertiser. This is why some websites ask you to disable ad blockers: they want the ad to actually display so they get paid.
Facebook does not block ad blockers the way some news sites do. You can use uBlock Origin or Adblock Plus on Facebook without any warning or restriction. However, Facebook does know you are using an ad blocker (they can detect it through technical signals), and they may use that information in their targeting algorithms.
What happens to your data when you block ads
Blocking ads does not stop Facebook from collecting data about you. Whether you see ads or not, Facebook tracks your clicks, the pages you visit, the posts you like, and the time you spend on the platform. This data is used for targeting (showing you content designed to keep you engaged) and sold to advertisers in aggregated form.
If you want to reduce data collection, adjusting ad preferences and using an ad blocker together is slightly better than doing nothing — you are telling Facebook which topics not to target you with, and you are preventing some advertisers from seeing that you viewed their ads. But neither method stops Facebook's core tracking. If data privacy is your main concern, the only real solution is to use Facebook less or not at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Facebook ban me for using an ad blocker?
No. Facebook does not ban users for running ad blockers. You can use uBlock Origin, Adblock Plus, or any other extension while logged into Facebook without risk. Facebook knows you are using one, but they do not penalize it.
Do ad blockers slow down Facebook?
Slightly. Ad blockers use a small amount of your computer's memory and processing power. Most people do not notice a difference, but on older devices or slower internet connections, you might see a tiny delay when the page loads. The slowdown is usually less noticeable than the time you save by not watching ads load.
Can I block ads from specific companies only?
Yes, through Facebook's ad preferences. Go to Settings > Ads > Ad preferences > Advertisers and businesses, find the company you want to block, and click "See less." You can do this for individual companies or entire categories. Ad blockers, by contrast, block all ads at once.
Does Meta Verified work on mobile?
Yes, but the price is higher on mobile apps than on the web browser. On iPhone and Android, Meta Verified costs more because Apple and Google take a cut of subscription revenue. If cost matters, signing up on a web browser is cheaper.
What is the difference between uBlock Origin and Adblock Plus?
Both block ads on Facebook and other websites. uBlock Origin is lighter on memory and faster; Adblock Plus is slightly easier for beginners. Both are free. Most people find no practical difference in everyday use — pick whichever one you prefer.