The estimated reading time for this post is 5 minutes
One of the most controversial topics in tech is the use of ad blockers. These tools block you from seeing ads when you surf the Internet on your computer or mobile device.
When you use ad blockers, you don’t see advertisements, regardless of whether they might be annoying or informative. You miss seeing glaring flash ads, but you also might miss a sale from your favorite retailer, saving you money on the item you’ve been craving.
Using an ad blocker is similar to using the fast-forward button to skip commercials on TV shows. You should be seeing ads to support the content provider, yet many of us don’t have much tolerance for advertising.
For more information about why people use ad blockers, check out Hubspot’s report from last month: Why People Block Ads (And What It Means for Marketers and Advertisers) [New Research].
But many websites rely on ads for revenue. Without income from advertising, some websites may not be able to continue. You may not care, until your favorite website shuts down. See, Smosh Did You Know These 10 Popular Websites Don’t Even Exist Anymore?
[tip] The Wonder of Tech does not use paid advertising. [/tip]
Using Ad Blockers
Ad blockers can be added to your computer’s browser and to your phone and tablet to block ads. Some of these block all ads while others allow you to allow ads to appear on certain sites.
Computer Browser Ad Blockers
You can use browser extensions to block ads from appearing on websites you visit. You may need to close and re-open your browser to block ads after adding these extensions. These extensions are free to use.
Adblock Plus
Adblock Plus is one of the most popular ad blockers, reaching over 100 million users worldwide this year. The AdBlock Plus website has links to download the extension for Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge and Opera. This extension can block tracking, malware sites, banner ads, pop-up windows and video ads.
This video shows you how Adblock Plus works:
AdBlock
This extension, with no relation to Adblock Plus, is available for Chrome and Safari browsers. The extension is free, but you can donate to support the developers. You can download this extension from the AdBlock website.
After you add this extension you will see the AdBlock icon in your tool bar at the top of your screen. Click on the icon and then click Options in the drop-down menu to select which ones you want to use.
You can also click on the icon to disable ad blocking for a website you’re visiting. The icon will be red on websites where ads are blocked and green when you have disabled the extension for that website.
Clicking on the icon will also show you how many ads have been blocked on a website.
This video illustrates how AdBlock works:
Mobile Ad Blockers
Ads may seem even more annoying when they are on your smaller phone or tablet screen than when they’re on your computer. The good news is that you can use ad blockers on your mobile devices too.
Ad Blockers can help save your battery and reduce your use of data because your phone doesn’t have to work to download ads.
Android
Adblock Plus Browser App
Adblock Plus has a free browser app you can use to view websites without ads.
Free Adblock Browser
This highly rated app on Google Play blocks ads when you use its browser on your Android device. You can use this app to block video, banner and pop-up ads.
Ad Blocking on iPhone and iPad
Beginning with iOS 9, Apple started allowing ad blocker apps to work in mobile Safari. When you add one of these apps to your iPhone or iPad, and give it permission to access Safari, the app block ads on websites you open in Safari.
[note]You can block pop-up ads on your iPhone and iPad without an app. Go to Settings –> Safari –> Block Pop-Ups and turn the feature on with the slider button. [/note]
After you’ve download one of these apps, go to Settings –> Safari –> Content Blockers and you’ll see the ad blocker app you’ve downloaded to your phone. Slide the switch on to enable it. Then open the app to adjust the settings within the app.
Adblock Plus Safari App for iPhone and iPad
This free app from the developers of Adblock Plus works to block ads and prevents you from loading malware sites.
1Blocker
1Blocker is an app for iPhone and iPad that blocks ads on Safari. The developer claims that its app “decreases page loading time and total downloaded data on average by over 50%.”
The app has individual settings, allowing you to choose what is blocked, including ads, trackers, EU cookie notices, adult sites, comments and more.
The app has 28,000 pre-installed blockers. But if that’s not enough, you can write your own blockers into the app.
The app is free, but the free version is limited to blocking one category (ads, trackers, etc.). Unlimited blocking is available with in-app purchase of $2.99.
1Blocker app for iPhone and iPad
Blockr
Blockr is a free app for blocking ads on mobile Safari with a more simplified group of choices. After you add the app and enable it in Settings, you can adjust which ads and tracking you want to block, though you don’t have as many choices as with 1Blocker.
The app comes with a built-in tutorial showing you how to use it.
Ad Blocking on Facebook
Earlier this week, Facebook announced that ad blockers would no longer work on its website. The company explained that “ads support our mission of giving people the power to share and making the world more open and connected.”
Instead of allowing ad blockers to work on its site, Facebook is allowing its users to control their ad preferences so people can see relevant ads.
You can tell Facebook which ads you’d like to see at the Facebook Your Ad Preferences page.
Read more about Facebook’s ad blocker policy at the Facebook Newsroom page: A New Way to Control the Ads You See on Facebook, and an Update on Ad Blocking.
Poll
Do you use ad blockers? Vote in The Wonder of Tech poll. You can vote for all answers that apply.
Your Thoughts
What do you think of ad blockers? Do you use them? Which one(s) do you use?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
* No Keyboard image (edited) courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Voice of America Learning English
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Yes, I have AdBlock on my computers (Chrome browsers) but not on my phone or tablet.
Hi Lois, AdBlock on Chrome is what I use too. I like how customizable it is and how easily I can turn it off or pause it for each site.
If you enjoy using ad blockers, you may want to consider using one on your phone and tablet.
Thanks for sharing your experience with ad blockers, Lois.
Hey Carolyn,
When you visit a website full of ads then you won’t even able to read the content carefully. that’s the reason people use the ad blockers.
I have been using it since my starting days. And it’s quite a relief that i don’t see any annoying ads.
But still, people are there who don’t even know about ad blockers.
Great post.
~Ravi
Hi Ravi, Yes, sometimes when I’m using a different computer without an ad blocker I’m very surprised at how different websites look when ads appear.
I had never written about ad blockers before because I have mixed feelings about them. I know that a lot of websites do depend on ad revenue to survive.
But ads can be very annoying and disruptive. Some sites have ads that overwhelm their content and look much better with ads blocked.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Ravi.
Hi, Thanks for being here. Do ad blockers speed up loading times? etc
Hi Sandra, Excellent question. Yes, web pages should load faster when you use an ad blocker because ads don’t have to load.
AdBlock is a great thing that has been discovered for the people like me who hate ads being popped time and again when we are on a page doing some important work.
Hi Kristine, You’re exactly right. Pop-up ads are incredibly annoying. They disrupt the reading experience and can be impossible to close on mobile devices. I’ve heard from other website owners that pop-up ads are the most effective at getting a response, but maybe that’s because they’re so annoying people will do anything to get rid of them?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Kristine.
Hi Carolyn,
There are apps for different platforms. And this is really good. I am going to check them.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi Robin, Yes, visiting websites without seeing ads really is a different experience. Once you go ad-free, seeing ads can be jarring.
I hope you enjoy using these ad blockers, Robin.
Well for small business owner, they wouldn’t mind seeing ads for others the ad-block would definitely be great for them.
Hi Louis, You’re right, online ads may be a vital source of revenue for small businesses. I have seen kind requests on websites for readers to turn off ad blockers. Other sites block visitors if ad blockers are turned on. And Facebook has discovered a way around ad blockers. So these tools may not be as effective in the future.
AdBlock is an incredible thing that has been found for the general population like me who despise promotions being popped on numerous occasions when we are on a page doing some imperative work.
Hi Danish, Good point. You’re right, most people don’t like seeing the ads so appreciate tools such as AdBlock. We don’t want to be distracted from what we’re seeing, but often ads do just that.
ad block extension is most helpful. some time people can find some data but ads is not see clear data. i am also use this extension
Very informative post. 🙂
I use Adblocker to keep the pop-ups and Ads away from my PC. This is one of the best way to keep your PC clean of viruses as Ads bring up viruses along with them.
For me, it has turned out to best.