Chrome blocks most pop-ups by default, and you can allow them for specific websites without opening yourself to unwanted ads
Chrome's pop-up blocker stops most new windows from opening automatically. This protects you from ads and malicious content, but some websites you trust — banks, email services, document editors, ticketing sites — use pop-ups for legitimate functions. You can tell Chrome to allow pop-ups from those specific sites while keeping the blocker on everywhere else.
The process takes less than a minute and applies only to the websites you choose. You do not have to disable the blocker globally or install anything.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome blocks pop-ups automatically; you only need to change this for websites where pop-ups are necessary for the site to work.
- The fastest way is to click the pop-up blocker icon (a circle with a line through it) in the address bar when a pop-up is blocked, then select "Always allow pop-ups on this site."
- You can also add sites to the allow list manually through Chrome Settings under Privacy and Security, then Site Settings, then Pop-ups and redirects.
- Allowing pop-ups for one website does not affect your blocker on other sites — each site you add is a separate exception.
- You can remove a site from the allow list at any time using the same Settings menu.
Allow pop-ups when Chrome blocks them
When you visit a website that tries to open a pop-up, Chrome stops it and shows a small icon in the address bar — a circle with a diagonal line through it. Click that icon.
A dropdown menu appears with the message "Pop-ups blocked on this site" and a button that says "Always allow pop-ups on this site." Click that button. Chrome will now allow pop-ups from that website going forward.
Refresh the page or try the action again (opening a document, checking a confirmation, or whatever triggered the pop-up). The pop-up should now appear.
Add a site to the pop-up allow list manually
If you want to add a site to the allow list before a pop-up is blocked, or if you prefer to use the Settings menu, open Chrome and select the three-dot menu in the top right corner. Click Settings.
In the left sidebar, click Privacy and security, then Site settings. Scroll down and click Pop-ups and redirects.
Under "Allow," click Add. Type the website address (for example, mail.google.com or your bank's domain) and click Add. The site is now on your allow list.
Remove a site from the allow list
Open Chrome and go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects.
Under "Allow," you will see a list of all websites you have permitted to show pop-ups. Find the site you want to remove, click the three-dot menu next to it, and select Remove. Chrome will block pop-ups from that site again.
Why some websites need pop-ups to work
Pop-ups are not always ads. Banks use them for security confirmations, Google Docs uses them for sharing dialogs, and ticketing sites use them to show your confirmation number. When a website's core function depends on a pop-up window, blocking it breaks the feature.
This is different from the pop-ups that appear when you land on a page — those are usually ads, and Chrome blocks them by default. The pop-ups that require your action (clicking a button, entering information) are the ones most likely to be legitimate.
The difference between pop-ups and redirects
Chrome's pop-up blocker also handles redirects — when a website automatically sends you to a different page without your click. The same allow list controls both. If you allow pop-ups for a site, you are also allowing it to redirect you.
Most redirects are harmless (a shortened link taking you to the full page, or a login page sending you to your account after you sign in). But some are malicious. Only add sites to the allow list if you trust them.
What to do if a pop-up still does not appear
If you have allowed pop-ups for a site but they still are not showing, the website itself may have a setting you need to change. Some sites ask you to enable pop-ups in your account settings or preferences, separate from your browser.
Check the website's help section or contact their support team. They can tell you whether the pop-up requires a browser setting, an account setting, or both. You can also try a different browser temporarily to see whether the pop-up works there — if it does, the issue is specific to Chrome on your computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does allowing pop-ups for one site affect other websites?
No. Each site you add to the allow list is separate. Allowing pop-ups for your bank does not change anything for any other website. Your blocker stays on for every site except the ones you explicitly permit.
Can I allow pop-ups temporarily instead of permanently?
Chrome does not have a temporary allow option. When you click "Always allow pop-ups on this site," it stays that way until you remove it from the allow list. If you only need pop-ups once, you can remove the site from Settings afterward.
What if I accidentally allow pop-ups for a website I do not trust?
Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Pop-ups and redirects, find the site under "Allow," click the three-dot menu, and select Remove. Chrome will block its pop-ups again when ready.
Is it safe to allow pop-ups?
It is safe if you only allow them for websites you recognize and trust. Allowing pop-ups from unknown sites can expose you to ads or malicious content. Stick to sites you use regularly — your email, bank, or work tools — and leave the blocker on for everything else.