The simplest way to block Facebook ads
Facebook shows ads based on what it knows about you — your age, location, interests, and websites you visit. You cannot stop Facebook from showing ads entirely if you use the free version, but you can reduce how many you see and block specific advertisers from reaching you. The fastest method is to use Facebook's own ad preferences, which takes about two minutes and requires no software.
Open Facebook in any browser, click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner on mobile, or the downward arrow in the top right on desktop. Select Settings and privacy, then Settings. Go to Ads in the left menu. From here you can see which advertisers have your contact information, remove yourself from interest categories, and hide ads from specific companies.
This method works on all devices — phone, tablet, desktop — because it changes your account settings, not your browser. The changes take effect within a few hours.
Key Takeaways
- Facebook's built-in ad preferences let you hide ads from specific advertisers and remove yourself from interest categories without installing anything.
- Browser extensions like uBlock Origin block ad code before it loads, but Facebook may show blank spaces where ads were, and some extensions can slow your browser.
- Paid Facebook plans (Facebook Premium) remove ads entirely, though the cost varies by country and device.
- Blocking ads through your browser works on Facebook but also affects ads on every other website you visit.
- Facebook tracks your activity across other websites to target ads, and you can limit this by adjusting your off-Facebook activity settings.
Using Facebook's ad preferences to hide specific advertisers
When you see an ad on Facebook that you do not want to see again, you can hide it and tell Facebook why. Hover over the ad (or long-press on mobile) and click the three dots in the corner. Select Hide ad or See fewer ads like this. Facebook will show you fewer ads from that advertiser going forward, though it may take a day or two to take effect.
You can also block an advertiser entirely so they cannot reach you at all. Go to Settings > Ads > Advertisers and businesses. This page shows every company that has uploaded your contact information (email, phone number, or mailing address) to Facebook. Click the X next to any advertiser's name to remove yourself from their list. They will no longer be able to target ads to you.
This does not delete your information from Facebook — it only prevents that specific advertiser from using it. If the same company uploads your information again later, you will need to block them again.
Removing yourself from interest-based targeting
Facebook builds a profile of your interests based on pages you like, posts you engage with, and websites you visit outside Facebook. You can see this list and remove categories you do not want advertisers to use. Go to Settings > Ads > Ad preferences. Under Your interests, you will see dozens of categories — "Technology", "Fitness", "News and politics", and so on.
Click the X next to any category to remove it. You cannot remove all of them (Facebook needs some data to show ads), but you can cut the list significantly. Removing a category means advertisers cannot specifically target you based on that interest, though Facebook may still show you ads based on other information.
Check this list every few months, because Facebook adds new interests as you browse. If you see something you do not recognize or do not want, remove it when ready.
Using browser extensions to block ad code
If you want to block ads across Facebook and every other website, a browser extension like uBlock Origin (free, works on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari) will prevent ad code from loading at all. Install the extension from your browser's store, and ads will stop appearing on most websites within seconds.
The trade-off is that Facebook may show blank spaces where ads were, and some extensions can slow your browser slightly if you have many installed. uBlock Origin is lightweight and does not track you, but other ad blockers (especially free ones) may sell your browsing data to advertisers — read the privacy policy before installing.
Extensions work only in the browser where you install them. If you use Chrome on your computer, you will need to install the extension separately on Firefox, on your phone's browser, or on any other device. Facebook's built-in settings, by contrast, work everywhere you log in.
Limiting off-Facebook activity tracking
Facebook tracks your activity on other websites — which articles you read, which products you view, which videos you watch — and uses this data to target ads. You can see this activity and clear it. Go to Settings > Apps and websites > Off-Facebook activity. Click Clear history to delete the record of websites you have visited.
You can also turn off future tracking by clicking Manage your off-Facebook activity and toggling the setting to off. This tells websites not to send your activity to Facebook, though some websites may ignore the request. Clearing your history does not prevent Facebook from collecting new data going forward — you will need to turn off the setting to stop that.
This setting is separate from your browser's privacy settings. Even if you clear your browser history, Facebook may still have a record of where you have been.
Paying for ad-free Facebook
Facebook offers a paid subscription called Facebook Premium that removes ads entirely. The cost varies by country and whether you use the website or the mobile app — it ranges from roughly $10 to $20 per month depending on where you live. You pay through your browser or app store, and ads disappear within a few hours.
This is the only method that completely stops ads from appearing. The trade-off is the monthly cost, and you still see sponsored posts from pages you follow (these are not considered ads by Facebook). If you use both Facebook and Instagram, you will need separate subscriptions for each.
Facebook Premium also gives you a blue verification badge and priority customer support, though most people subscribe only to remove ads.
What to expect after blocking ads
If you use Facebook's built-in settings, you will still see ads, but fewer of them and from fewer categories. The changes are gradual — you may not notice a difference for a few days. If you use a browser extension, ads will disappear almost when ready, but you may see blank spaces in your feed where ads were.
No matter which method you choose, Facebook will continue to collect data about you. Blocking ads does not stop Facebook from tracking your activity — it only stops advertisers from reaching you based on that data. If you want to limit tracking itself, adjust your off-Facebook activity settings and review your ad preferences regularly.
Be aware that some websites and apps rely on ad revenue to stay free. Blocking all ads everywhere means those sites earn nothing from your visits. Many people choose to block ads on Facebook specifically but allow them on other sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will blocking ads stop Facebook from collecting my data?
No. Blocking ads only stops advertisers from seeing your information and targeting you. Facebook still collects data about what you do on the site and across the web. To limit data collection, adjust your off-Facebook activity settings and review which advertisers have your contact information.
Can I block ads on Facebook but not on other websites?
Yes. Use Facebook's built-in ad preferences instead of a browser extension. Facebook's settings affect only ads on Facebook. Browser extensions block ads everywhere you go, so if you install one, you will need to turn it off or add exceptions for websites where you want to see ads.
Do ad blockers work on the Facebook mobile app?
Browser extensions do not work in the Facebook app — they only work in web browsers. Use Facebook's built-in ad preferences on your phone instead. If you access Facebook through a mobile browser rather than the app, some extensions may work, but this varies by phone and browser.
What happens if I block an advertiser and they upload my information again?
You will need to block them again. Blocking an advertiser only removes you from their current list. If they upload your contact information a second time, Facebook treats it as a new upload, and you will see ads from them until you block them again.
Is Facebook Premium worth it just to remove ads?
That depends on how much ads bother you and whether you can tolerate the monthly cost. Facebook's built-in settings can reduce ads significantly at no cost, though you will still see some. If you find ads intrusive and use Facebook daily, the subscription may be worth it to you. If you rarely use Facebook, the free settings are probably enough.