Introduction
Facebook ads are everywhere. They appear in our News Feed, in Groups, and even in our private messages. While these ads are a source of revenue for Facebook, they can sometimes be intrusive and disrupt our browsing experience. Fortunately, there are several ways to remove or reduce ads on Facebook. In this article, we'll show you some tips and tools to help you get back to a more enjoyable browsing experience.
Setting up advertising preferences on Facebook
Facebook offers users the ability to customize their advertising preferences. Here's how to do it:
- Go to your Facebook account settings.
- Click on the "Advertisements" tab in the side menu.
- In the "Advertising Preferences" section, you can view and change the information Facebook uses to serve you targeted ads.
- Browse through the different categories and remove interests that you are not interested in. You can also turn off ad personalization based on partner information.
- Don't forget to click on "Save changes" to validate your preferences.
Use browser extensions to block ads
There are many browser extensions that can block ads on Facebook and other websites. Here are some of the most popular ones:
Adblock Plus: This extension is available for most browsers and effectively blocks intrusive ads on Facebook. Just install and activate it to start surfing ad-free.
uBlock Origin: Similar to Adblock Plus, uBlock Origin is a lightweight and powerful extension that blocks ads on Facebook and other websites.
Privacy Badger: Developed by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), Privacy Badger blocks ads and trackers on Facebook. It also protects your privacy by preventing websites from tracking your online activities.
Use a mobile application to block ads
If you use the Facebook mobile application on your smartphone, you can also block ads using third-party applications. Here are some of the popular applications for blocking ads on Facebook:
Blokada: Available for Android, Blokada blocks ads and trackers on Facebook and other apps.
Adblock Mobile: This app for iOS blocks ads in mobile browsers and apps, including Facebook.
AdGuard: Available for Android and iOS, AdGuard blocks ads on Facebook and also offers protection against malware.
Report unwanted ads on Facebook
Facebook has a reporting system for unwanted or inappropriate ads. Here's how to report an ad on Facebook:
- Click on the three small dots at the top right of the ad you want to report.
- Select the "Report Advertisement" option.
- Choose the reason for your report from the various categories offered, such as "Inappropriate Content" or "Misleading Advertising".
- You can also provide additional details in the comment box.
- Click "Submit" to submit your report to Facebook.
Use a VPN to block geo-targeted ads
Some ads on Facebook are geo-targeted, which means they are displayed based on your geographic location. You can get around this targeting by using a virtual private network (VPN). Here's how to do it:
Install a reliable VPN service on your device. There are many options available for both computers and smartphones.
Launch the VPN app and connect to a server located in a different country than the one you are in.
Once connected to the VPN, your IP address will be masked and your geographic location will be changed.
When accessing Facebook, geo-targeted ads will be based on the VPN server's location instead of your actual location.
Limit the use of Facebook and favor other platforms
If you want to significantly reduce the ads on Facebook, you may want to consider limiting your use of the platform and focusing on other social networks. Here are some popular alternatives to Facebook:
Twitter: Twitter is a social network focused on sharing short messages called "tweets". It is less ad-driven than Facebook and offers a more streamlined browsing experience.
Instagram: Instagram is a photo and video sharing platform. Although it is owned by Facebook, it offers a more content-centric visual experience that is less disrupted by ads.
LinkedIn: LinkedIn is a professional social network that focuses on connections and career opportunities. It is less focused on intrusive ads and more focused on professional development.
Conclusion
Removing or reducing ads on Facebook can greatly improve your browsing experience. By setting your ad preferences, using browser extensions or mobile ad blocking apps, flagging unwanted ads, using a VPN, or limiting your use of Facebook in favor of other platforms, you can customize your experience and make your browsing experience more enjoyable. Feel free to try different methods to find the one that best suits your needs.
Remember, Facebook is only free because companies pay for it to display their ads.
If Facebook were to remove ads altogether, all users would probably have to pay a monthly subscription fee to use the application.
Basically, when it's free, we're the product!
Have a question?
Frequently asked questions
- Can Facebook ads be completely blocked or just reduced? Facebook ads can't be blocked entirely due to their integration into the platform, but they can be significantly reduced by adjusting your ad preferences.
- How do Facebook ad preferences affect the ads I see? Your advertising preferences determine the type of ads you see on Facebook, based on your activities, interests and profile information.
- Can using ad-blocking extensions affect my browsing on other sites? Yes, some extensions can affect browsing by blocking useful content or slowing down page loading.
- How does blocking ads affect my Facebook user experience? Blocking ads can improve the browsing experience by reducing distractions, but it can also limit the personalization and relevance of content.
- How can I report inappropriate or misleading ads on Facebook? You can report inappropriate ads directly via the options available on each Facebook ad.
