The main ways to stop seeing ads
You can block most commercials by installing an ad blocker extension in your browser, turning on built-in ad blocking features, or paying for ad-free versions of services. The method that works best depends on where you see the ads — on websites, in videos, or in apps — and how much control you want over what gets blocked.
Ad blockers work by identifying ads before they load and preventing them from appearing. Some block nearly everything; others let you choose which ads to allow. Video platforms like YouTube offer paid subscriptions that remove ads entirely. Browsers like Firefox and Safari have privacy features that block some tracking ads without needing an extension.
Key Takeaways
- Ad blocker extensions like uBlock Origin and Adblock Plus work on most websites and are free to install from your browser's extension store.
- YouTube Premium removes ads from videos but costs money; free alternatives like NewPipe (on Android) or browser extensions block YouTube ads without payment.
- Built-in browser features in Firefox and Safari block some ads automatically without needing an extension, though they are less aggressive than dedicated ad blockers.
- Some websites detect ad blockers and refuse to load content; you can disable the extension for that site or use a filter list that hides detection scripts.
- Streaming services like Netflix, Spotify, and Disney+ offer ad-free tiers, while their cheaper tiers show commercials.
Installing an ad blocker extension
The fastest way to block ads on websites is to add an ad blocker extension to your browser. Open your browser's extension store — Chrome calls it the Chrome Web Store, Firefox calls it Add-ons, Safari calls it Extensions — and search for "ad blocker" or "uBlock Origin". uBlock Origin is free, widely used, and blocks most ads without slowing your browser noticeably.
Click the extension name, then click the button to add it to your browser (the label changes by browser: "Add to Chrome", "Add to Firefox", "Add to Safari"). The extension installs in seconds. A new icon appears in your toolbar. You do not need to restart your browser. From that moment, ads on most websites will not load.
If a website refuses to load or shows a message saying "ad blocker detected", you have two choices: disable the extension for that site by clicking its icon and selecting the option to turn it off, or switch to a different ad blocker that hides the fact that you are using one. uBlock Origin has a setting for this under its dashboard (click the extension icon, then the settings gear), but it requires a few clicks to enable.
Blocking ads in YouTube videos
YouTube shows ads before, during, and after videos. The official way to remove them is YouTube Premium, which costs money monthly. If you want to block YouTube ads without paying, your options depend on what device you use.
On a computer, most ad blocker extensions block YouTube ads automatically — uBlock Origin does this by default. If your extension is installed and YouTube ads still play, click the extension icon and check that it is turned on for that site. On phones and tablets, YouTube's app does not allow extensions, so ad blockers do not work inside the app itself. However, if you watch YouTube in your phone's browser instead of the app, an ad blocker extension (if your browser supports extensions) will block ads there.
Android users have an alternative: the NewPipe app is free and plays YouTube videos without ads. It is not available in the Google Play Store, but you can read it from F-Droid, which is a separate app store for free software. iPhone users cannot use NewPipe because Apple does not allow it in the App Store.
Using browser privacy features instead of extensions
If you do not want to install an extension, your browser may have built-in features that block some ads. Firefox has a privacy setting called "Enhanced Tracking Protection" that blocks ads from tracking companies; turn it on in Settings under Privacy. Safari on Mac and iPhone has "Intelligent Tracking Prevention" enabled by default, which stops some ads from following you across websites.
These built-in features are less aggressive than ad blocker extensions — they stop tracking ads and some banner ads, but they may not block all ads on a page. They also do not block video ads. If you want to remove nearly all ads, an extension is more effective. The advantage of using browser privacy settings is that fewer websites detect them and refuse to load.
Removing ads from streaming services
Streaming platforms like Netflix, Spotify, Disney+, and Hulu offer two tiers: a cheaper version with ads and a more expensive version without. If you subscribe to the ad-supported tier and want to remove commercials, you must upgrade to the ad-free tier, which costs more per month.
Some services let you pause your subscription and restart it later, so if you only watch occasionally, you can subscribe for a month, watch what you want, then pause until you are ready to watch again. Check each service's website for pause and upgrade options — they are usually in account settings.
Ads that are hard or impossible to block
Some ads cannot be blocked by extensions. Ads that are built into the video itself — where a creator talks about a product in the middle of the video — cannot be removed by any blocker because they are part of the video file. Ads served directly by a website's own servers (not by an ad network) are sometimes harder for blockers to detect. Ads in mobile apps do not respond to browser extensions because apps do not use your browser.
If a website shows an error message or refuses to load when you use an ad blocker, the site has detected the extension. You can disable the blocker for that site, use a different blocker that is harder to detect, or accept that you will see ads on that particular site. Some people keep two browsers open — one with an ad blocker for most sites, and one without for sites that refuse to work with blockers.
What happens when you block ads
Websites and creators earn money from ads. When you block ads, they lose that income. Some websites ask you to turn off your ad blocker or pay for a subscription to see their content. Others show a message but let you read anyway. A few block you entirely until you disable the blocker.
This is a trade-off you make: you see fewer ads, but the people who made the content you are reading do not get paid from advertising. Some people turn off their blocker for websites they want to support, or they pay for ad-free subscriptions to support creators directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will an ad blocker slow down my browser?
Most ad blockers have minimal impact on speed. uBlock Origin is designed to be lightweight. If you notice your browser is slower after installing an extension, try disabling it temporarily to see if that is the cause. Some extensions are more resource-heavy than others; switching to a different one may help.
Can websites tell I am using an ad blocker?
Yes, many websites can detect ad blockers. They do this by checking whether ad elements loaded on the page. Some sites show a message asking you to disable it; others refuse to load content. You can disable the blocker for that site, use a blocker with anti-detection features, or accept that you will see ads there.
Is it illegal to use an ad blocker?
No, using an ad blocker is legal in most countries. Websites can ask you to turn it off or refuse to serve you content, but they cannot punish you for using one. However, blocking ads does mean creators and websites lose income, so consider supporting sites you use regularly.
Do ad blockers protect my privacy?
Some do, some do not. Ad blockers that focus only on removing ads from view do not necessarily protect your privacy. Blockers that also block tracking scripts — like uBlock Origin with its default settings — do reduce tracking. For stronger privacy protection, use your browser's privacy settings alongside an ad blocker.
Why do some ads still get through my ad blocker?
Ad blockers use filter lists that identify ads by their source or appearance. New ads and new ad networks appear constantly, so filter lists lag behind. Most ad blockers update their lists daily. If you see ads that should be blocked, check that your blocker is turned on for that site and that its filter lists are up to date.