How to Block Ads in Google Chrome

Why Block Ads on Google Chrome?

Ads disrupt your browsing in three keyways.

• Intrusive video or popup ads hamper concentration by distracting you with unrelated animations and sounds.
• Ad trackers follow your web activity without consent to serve personalized ads, invading your privacy.
• Ads bog down page loading speeds since they require extra resources and bandwidth to run.

By blocking Google ads, you regain control. Pages load faster without disruptions. Your reading comprehension improves when ads no longer interrupt your train of thought. Additionally, blocking ad trackers boosts your privacy and keeps browsing habits anonymous.

Ultimately, banning unwanted personalized ads lets you enjoy smoother, quicker browsing focused on your interests rather than advertiser interests.

How To Turn Off Google Ads in Chrome?

There are three ways to stop ads from displaying in Chrome: browser settings, extensions, and platform-specific tweaks.

• Browser settings allow you to toggle ad privacy controls like blocking third-party cookies, preventing sites from tracking your activity without permission.
• Extensions let you install ad blockers for more comprehensive protection against intrusive or misleading
• Platform customization for Android, iOS, or desktop systems provides granular ways to disable personalized ad tracking.

On PC

On a Windows PC or Mac desktop device, leverage these steps to block Google search ads in Chrome:

• Open the Chrome browser and click the three-dot menu button in the top right corner.
• Select ‘Settings’ from the drop-down menu.
• Choose ‘Privacy and security’ on the left sidebar of options.
• Scroll down to the ‘Cookies and site data’ tab and toggle ‘Block third-party cookies in Incognito’ to ON. This prevents tracking for ad purposes during private browsing.
• For broader Chrome ad blocking, return to the Settings menu and toggle ‘Block third-party cookies’ under the main ‘Privacy and security’ instead.
• You can also customize exceptions under ‘Cookies and site data’ if ads fail to load properly on specific sites after implementing cookie blocks.

The key on desktop is accessing Chrome’s robust third-party cookie blocking controls under the Privacy or Incognito modes. Toggle these cookie permissions until finding your ideal comfort level of ad blocking across Chrome browsing.

On Android

On Android devices, you can leverage Chrome’s built-in privacy controls to block ads:

• Tap the three-dot menu button in Chrome, then choose ‘Settings.’
• Select ‘Privacy’ from the options.
• Toggle ‘Block third-party cookies’ on for robust ad blocking during all browsing sessions. This prevents sites from tracking your activity to serve targeted ads.
• For private browsing ad blocking only, enable ‘Block third-party cookies in Incognito tab’ instead. This only blocks ads and tracking during Incognito sessions.
• If the Incognito toggle does not sufficiently block ads, repeat steps above but choose the main ‘Cookies’ section instead of ‘Privacy.’ Toggle ‘Block third-party cookies’ on for fullest ad blocking.
• Customize these cookie controls as needed until you find the right level of ad blocking for your preferences. Some sites may not load properly if cookie blocking is too aggressive.

The key is leveraging Chrome’s ability to block third-party cookies, which sites use to monitor your browsing for ad purposes. Enable the right site settings to suit your desired level of ad blocking.

On iPhone or iPad

On iOS mobile devices, leverage these steps to block ads in Chrome:

• Open the Chrome app and tap the three-dot icon in the bottom right corner to access settings.
• Select ‘Settings’ from the menu, then choose ‘Privacy’ from the options.
• Toggle ‘Block third-party cookies’ on for robust browser-wide ad blocking during all browsing sessions, preventing tracking for marketing purposes.
• For ad blocking exclusively during private browsing, toggle ‘Block third-party cookies in Incognito Tab’ instead to restrict cookies in Incognito only.
• If Incognito ad blocking proves insufficient, return to the Privacy menu and enable the broader ‘Block third-party cookies’ to enforce restrictions during all browsing.
• Customize based on whether you primarily want private browsing ad blocking or fuller protection across sites. Toggle controls on and off until satisfied.

Similar to desktop, Chrome for iOS lets you manage cookie permissions to suit your desired level of ad blocking during web use.

How To Install an Ad Blocker Extension?

While Chrome’s native ad controls help, installing a dedicated adblock extension improves performance. Let’s review how to add extensions both on desktop and mobile.

On Desktop

On a Windows, Mac, or Chromebook computer, follow these instructions to install an ad blocking extension:

• Open Chrome and click the three-dot menu button in the upper right corner. Select ‘Settings’ from the menu.
• In the left sidebar, choose ‘Extensions’ to access the extensions manager.
• Click the blue ‘Web Store’ button to visit Chrome’s extension marketplace and search database.
• Use the search bar to find an adblock extension like uBlock Origin, AdBlock Plus, AdBlock, or another ad blocker of your preference.
• Select your desired ad blocking extension. Then click ‘Add to Chrome’ to install the new extension directly into your browser.
• Confirm installing the extension when prompted. Look for its custom icon to then appear alongside Chrome’s address bar, signifying it has enabled successfully.
• Revisit the Extensions manager to customize options for your installed ad block extension, including things like whitelists or extra filter lists.

The benefit of extensions is the ability to leverage very customized ad blocking functionality crafted specifically for that purpose. Search, install, then tweak to your liking.

On Mobile Devices

Unfortunately, Google restricts full extension support on Chrome for Android and iOS. But you have a couple options:

• For iPhone users, install ad blocking extensions from the Apple App Store instead of Chrome itself. Search for top picks like AdBlock, uBlock Origin, or similar adblock extension or filtering apps.
• Select your preferred ad blocker from App Store results, install it, then open the extension before launching Chrome normally. This triggers the newly added ad blocking filters.
• According to user reviews, uBlock Origin offers excellent blocking power in a lightweight package making it ideal for iPhones.
• For Android phones and tablets, pressuring Google to allow proper extension functionality in Chrome for mobile remains the only current option. Until support expands, Android relies on Chrome’s built-in ad privacy settings for ad blocking needs.

While limited, iPhone users can leverage App Store extensions like uBlock to achieve robust ad filtration directly inside mobile Chrome thanks to iOS flexibility. Android awaits future updates to enable similar capabilities natively inside Chrome itself.

How To Block Personalized Ads?

Another way to squash ads follows opting out of personalized ad tracking. Chrome calls this ‘Interest-based ads’ and it relies on monitoring browsing habits—gross.

Let’s fix that on both desktop and mobile:

On Desktop

To disable Chrome’s customized ad targeting on a Windows PC, Mac, or Chromebook:

• Open Chrome and access the Settings menu via the three-dot button in the top corner.
• Choose ‘Privacy and security’ on the left sidebar.
• Select the ‘Cookies and other site data’ tab.
• Find the ‘Interest-based ads’ section and toggle the setting OFF to prevent tracking for marketing purposes.
• For broader protection, return to ‘Privacy and security’ and toggle ‘Send a Do Not Track request with your browsing traffic’ to ON instead to enforce Do Not Track browser-wide.

Disabling Interest-based ads specifically prevents Chrome from scanning web browser history and activity to profile associated ads. Toggle Do Not Track requests for wider-reaching privacy enforcements blocking sites from retaining identical data. Customize based on your comfort levels.

On Mobile Devices

To halt personalized ad tracking on mobile Chrome for Android or iOS:

• Open the Chrome app and tap the three-dot menu button to access Settings.
• Choose ‘Privacy’ from the options.
• Locate and toggle the ‘Allow Chrome personalization’ setting OFF.
• This prevents Chrome from accessing usage patterns, browsing history, location and other identifiers to serve targeted promotions.
• For additional privacy, scroll down under ‘Privacy’ and toggle ‘Send a Do Not Track request with your browsing traffic’ to ON.
• This instructs sites you visit not to track identifiable data without explicit permission, enforcing Do Not Track browser-wide.

Disabling ‘Allow Chrome personalization’ specifically stops intrusive ads catered to your monitored preferences. Enabling Do Not Track provides broader protection by communicating your tracking opt-out to all sites you visit via Chrome.

How To Block Specific Google Ads?

What if you only want to stop ads from one annoying advertiser like Facebook or Google itself? Extensions like AdBlock let you target specific domains.

On Desktop

To block ads from specific advertising platforms like Google or Facebook using a desktop ad block extension:

• Click on the toolbar icon for the installed ad blocker and select ‘Options’ or ‘Settings’ from the menu.
• Locate sections like ‘Custom Filters’ or ‘Blacklisted Sites’ in its control panel.
• Enter the domain source of unwanted ads such as googleadservices.com or *.facebook.com
• Click ‘Add Filter’ or similar to confirm hiding promotions from those specific domains.
• Revisit periodically to add fresh irritating ad sources as needed.

Granular custom blocking gives precise control over which sites get ad blocked beyond extensions’ existing filters. Target the most stubborn advertising domains not already captured at a global level.

On iPhone

To block particular ad sources like Facebook or Google on an iPhone running ad blocking browser extensions:

• Open your chosen App Store ad blocker app, like uBlock Origin, and find its custom filters menu.
• Manually type in the exact domain of the irritating ad provider, for example googleadservices.com or *.facebook.com.
• Tap “Add” or similar to add the domain to blocklist filters.
• Sites matching the domain will now get ads stripped when browsing sites through Chrome.
• Check periodically for any new unwanted ads appearing and repeat steps to continuously block fresh sources.

The benefit of iOS extensions includes finely tuned blocking of precise domains serving bothersome promotions. Add offending digital marketing sites as encountered for ongoing ad-free browsing.

Final Thoughts

There you have it – multiple methods for shutting off ads in Google Chrome. On desktop enable Do Not Track, install extensions, block third-party cookies, and target pesky domains. Mobile users can leverage Chrome’s built-in privacy controls and compatible ad blocking apps.

Regain your browsing freedom today. No longer allow companies to spy on your web activity or clutter pages with obtrusive promotions. A smooth ad-free web awaits thanks to these simple tricks. Now get out there and browse in peace!