TL;DR
To block ads on Safari, follow these steps:
- Open Safari on your Mac.
- Click on the Safari menu and select Safari Extensions.
- Search for an ad blocker like AdBlock or uBlock Origin.
- Click Install and confirm the installation.
- Launch the extension and customize its settings as needed.
- Close the Safari Extensions tab when done.
Tried and Tested ✅: The methods and steps mentioned in this article have been tried and tested firsthand by Ojash Yadav on his MacBook Pro M3 and rechecked for errors on Hashir’s MacBook Air M2.
Ads interrupting your browsing can be frustrating. After testing a few methods on my Mac, I found simple ways to block ads on Safari, Chrome, and Firefox. Here’s how you can enjoy smoother, ad-free browsing too!
How to Block Ads on Safari on Mac
How We Check Our Guides We use Apple’s support documents and current developer instructions to check the steps. Screenshots and menu names can differ between versions, so follow the branch for your Mac. Read our editorial process.
1. Customize Safari Settings
Here’s how to customize Safari settings to block ads on Mac:
- Open Safari on your Mac.
- Click Safari in the top menu bar and select Settings.
- Click the Websites tab.
- You’ll see a list of website categories on the left side of the screen. Click Pop-up Windows.
- Ensure the Block and Notify option is selected next to the websites’ names. It will stop pop-ups from appearing on any website you visit.
Now, Safari will block ads on the selected websites after notifying you.
🔄 If one ad blocker doesn’t work on a specific site, try switching to another. Some sites are better at bypassing certain blockers, so having an alternative ready can be useful.
2. Use Reader Mode
To use Reader Mode to block ads on Mac Safari, follow these steps:
- Open Safari and navigate to the webpage where you want to block ads.
- Look for the Reader Mode button in the Safari address bar. It will appear as a set of horizontal lines on the left side of the address bar.
- Click the Reader Mode button. It will switch the webpage to a simplified, ad-free view displaying only its main content.
- If you want to customize the appearance of the Reader Mode view, click the AA button in the address bar.
- To exit Reader Mode and return to the normal web page view, click the Reader Mode button again or press the Esc key on your keyboard.
How to Block Ads on Chrome on Mac
Chrome also has a built-in ad blocker that can block certain types of ads. Here are the steps to block ads using Chrome’s built-in ad blocker:
- Open Chrome and click the three-dot icon in the top right corner of the browser.
- Click Settings > Privacy and Security section > Site settings.
- In Site settings, click Intrusive ads under Additional content settings.
- Select the Blocked on sites that tend to show intrusive ads (recommended) option to turn on the ad blocker.
How to Block Ads on Firefox on Mac
Firefox’s Tracking Protection blocks trackers and ads by removing elements that monitor your online activity. Here are the steps to block ads on Firefox:
- Open Firefox, click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner, and select Settings.
- Click Privacy & Security in the left-hand menu.
- Under the Enhanced Tracking Protection section, select Strict to block trackers and ads on all websites.
Did You Know? Many ad blockers also block tracking scripts, which can enhance your online privacy by preventing websites from collecting your browsing data.
🛡️ Block Ads Easily
For browsing in Safari or Chrome, MacKeeper’s StopAd blocks ads and trackers through its browser extension. Open StopAd, install or enable the extension for your supported browser, and review its blocking settings.
Final Tips
Blocking ads on Safari, Chrome, and Firefox enhances browsing, boosts productivity, and safeguards privacy. Here are some tips to remember:
- Remove unnecessary browser extensions to fix slow performance and security issues.
- Clear cookies regularly to protect privacy and free up space.
- Use trusted sources for ad-blockers and run a virus scan on Mac before and after installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ad blockers improve my privacy on Mac?
Can I block specific types of ads, such as pop-ups or video ads?
Will blocking ads affect the functionality of websites or cause any issues?
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