Ads are everywhere on the internet, and while some of them are useful and relevant, others are annoying, intrusive, or even malicious. If you want to enjoy a smoother and safer browsing experience on your Android phone, you might want to block ads on your Chrome browser. In this blog post, I will show you how to do that in three easy steps.
Why Block Ads?
Ads are ubiquitous on the internet, appearing on almost every webpage you visit. While some ads may be relevant and unobtrusive, many others are intrusive, distracting, and even malicious. Here are a few reasons why you might want to block ads on your Android’s Chrome browser:
- Improved Speed: Ads can significantly slow down your browsing experience, especially on mobile devices with limited resources. By blocking ads, you can speed up page loading times and navigate websites more quickly.
- Enhanced Privacy: Some ads track your browsing habits and collect data about your online activities. By blocking ads, you can protect your privacy and prevent advertisers from profiling you based on your interests and behavior.
- Reduced Data Usage: Ads consume bandwidth, which can eat into your data plan if you’re browsing on a mobile network. Blocking ads can help reduce your data usage and potentially save you money on your monthly bill.
- Better Security: Malicious ads, also known as malvertising, can contain malware or lead to phishing websites. By blocking ads, you can reduce the risk of inadvertently clicking on harmful content and compromising your device’s security.
Step 1: Use Google Chrome’s Native Ad Blocker
Google Chrome for Android employs a native ad-blocking mechanism that will protect you from most adverts. However, it is not enabled by default. To turn it on, launch Google Chrome. Then, touch the triple-dot menu in the upper right corner of the browser.
1. Press the Three Vertical Dots
2. Choose Settings.
3. On Settings, choose Site Settings.
4. On-Site settings, choose Ads.
5. Toggle off the switch on the Ads page.
It must be noted that this feature is more of ad limiter and not ad blocker. You will still see Ads on webpages but there would be no annoying popups or noisy auto-play video ads.
Step 2: Block intrusive ads with Chrome’s built-in feature
Chrome has a built-in feature that blocks ads on sites that show intrusive or misleading ads, such as pop-ups, auto-playing videos, or flashing banners. To enable this feature, follow these steps:
- Open Chrome and tap on the three-dot menu in the top right corner.
- Tap on Settings and then Site Settings.
- Tap on Ads and toggle the switch to turn on the ad blocker.
Step 3: Block pop-ups and redirects with Chrome’s site settings
Some sites might still show pop-ups or redirects that can interfere with your browsing or lead you to unwanted pages. To block these, you need to adjust the site settings in Chrome. Here’s how:
- Open Chrome and tap on the three-dot menu in the top right corner.
- Tap on Settings and then Site Settings.
- Tap on Pop-ups and redirects and toggle the switch to turn off the pop-ups and redirects.
Step 4: Install an ad-blocking extension or use a browser with ad-blocking features
While Chrome’s ad-blocking features can block most of the ads, some of them might still slip through. If you want to block ads more effectively, you can install an ad-blocking extension or use a browser with ad-blocking features. Here are some of the best options:
- AdBlock: This is one of the most popular and trusted ad-blocking extensions for Chrome. It blocks ads on websites, YouTube, and social media. You can customize it to allow some ads or whitelist some sites.
- Adblock Plus: This is another popular and reliable ad-blocking extension for Chrome. It blocks ads, trackers, malware, and pop-ups. You can also choose to allow some acceptable ads or whitelist some sites.
- Brave: This is a browser that has a built-in ad blocker and other privacy and security features. It blocks ads, trackers, scripts, and pop-ups. You can also earn rewards by viewing some optional ads or tipping your favorite creators.
That’s it! You have learned how to block ads on your Android’s Chrome browser in three easy steps. Now you can enjoy a faster, cleaner, and safer browsing experience on your phone. I hope you found this blog post helpful. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below. Thank you for reading!
Conclusion
Blocking ads on your Android’s Chrome browser can significantly improve your browsing experience by reducing distractions, enhancing privacy, and improving security. Whether you choose to use a browser extension, enable Chrome’s built-in ad blocker, or implement a DNS-based ad blocker, taking steps to block ads can help you reclaim control over your online experience. Try out different methods to find the one that works best for you and enjoy a cleaner, ad-free browsing experience on your Android device.