How to Block Ads on Mac Featured Image

How to Block Ads on Mac: Safari, Chrome, and Firefox

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Last updated: September 6, 2023

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Are you tired of being bombarded with annoying ads while browsing the web on your Mac? Ads can be a major distraction and tarnish your browsing experience. They can slow your browsing speed, clutter your screen, and even track your online activity.

But with a few simple steps, you can block these ads and enjoy a cleaner, faster browsing experience on your Mac. In this post, I’ll share some quick and easy methods to block ads on Mac, including on Safari, Chrome, and Firefox.

Before We Begin

Ads can be a nuisance, especially when they interrupt our browsing experience or slow down our Macs. MacKeeper’s StopAd feature blocks all types of ads, including banner ads, pop-ups, video ads, and even social media ads. It uses advanced algorithms to detect and block ads in real-time, ensuring your browsing experience is seamless and ad-free. 

Block Ads on Safari, Chrome, and Firefox Using MacKeeper

Mackeeper’s StopAd feature is a powerful ad-blocking tool that helps you eliminate annoying ads, pop-ups, and other unwanted content from your web browsing experience. This feature blocks a wide range of ads, including banner ads, video ads, pop-up ads, and more, helping you browse the web faster and more easily.

Here are the steps to block ads on Safari, Chrome, and Firefox using MacKeeper::

  1. Download and install MacKeeper.
  1. Open MacKeeper and click StopAd in the Privacy section.
click stopad in the left sidebar
  1. Click Open.
click open in stopad
  1. You’ll see that StopAd is disabled for your browsers. If you have installed the extension for your browser, click the Enable button next to your browser’s name.
click enable to turn on stopad feature
  1. A new window will open. Click Open Safari Preferences.
click open safari preferences
  1. Check the little boxes next to MacKeeper StopAd permissions.
check the little boxes next to mackeeper stopad permissions
  1. If you don’t have the extension, click the Install button.
click install to install an extension

Now whenever you are working on your Mac, you won’t be distracted by annoying ads.

What Else Can MacKeeper Do?

Besides blocking ads, MacKeeper can scan malware, remove duplicates, and manage login items on your Mac. Check out my detailed MacKeeper review to know more about its features.

How to Block Ads on Safari on Mac

Safari is a popular web browser among Mac users, but like many other browsers, it displays ads while browsing the internet. You can use any of the following methods to block Ads on Safari:

1. Use Browser Extension

Blocking ads on Safari on Mac using a browser extension is an effective way to eliminate annoying ads and pop-ups. Browser extensions are small software programs that add specific features or functionalities to your web browser. You can easily download and install them on your browser to block ads on Mac.

Here are the steps to block ads on Safari using browser extensions:

  1. Open Safari on your Mac.
open safari on your mac
  1. Go to the Safari menu in the screen’s top left corner and click Safari Extensions.
go to the safari menu in the screens top left corner and click safari extensions
  1. In the Safari Extensions Gallery, search for an ad blockers extension like AdBlock or uBlock Origin.
in the safari extensions gallery search for an ad blockers extension
  1. Once you find the extension you want, click the Install button.
once you find the extension you want click the install button
  1. A pop-up window will appear, asking for confirmation to install the extension. Click Install again to proceed.
a pop up window will appear asking for confirmation to install the extension
  1. After the installation, click the Open button to launch the extension.
after the installation click the open button to launch the extension
  1. You can now customize the extension’s settings to your preference, such as allowing or blocking certain types of ads.
  2. Once you have configured the settings, close the Safari Extensions tab.

2. Customize Safari Settings

Customizing settings in Safari on Mac is one of the simplest ways to block ads on the browser. This method allows users to disable pop-ups and notifications, limit ad tracking, and block cookies from third-party sites, all contributing to a less intrusive browsing experience.

Here’s how to customise Safari settings to block ads on Mac:

  1. Open Safari on your Mac.
open safari on your mac
  1. Click Safari in the top menu bar and select Settings.
click safari in the top menu bar and select settings
  1. Click the Websites tab.
click the website tab
  1. You’ll see a list of website categories on the left side of the screen. Click Pop-up Windows.
click pop ups menu in left side bar
  1. 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.
ensure that the block and notify option is selected
  1. Now, Safari will block ads on the selected websites after notifying you.

3. Use Reader Mode

Safari’s built-in Reader Mode provides a way to block ads on web pages by stripping out all the clutter and only displaying the main content. This can make for a cleaner and more focused reading experience without the distraction of ads and other unnecessary elements.

To use Reader Mode to block ads on Mac Safari, follow these steps:

  1. Open Safari and navigate to the webpage where you want to block ads.
open safari on your mac
  1. 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.
look for the reader mode button in the safari address bar
  1. Click the Reader Mode button. It will switch the webpage to a simplified, ad-free view displaying only its main content.
  1. If you want to customize the appearance of the Reader Mode view, click the AA button in the address bar.
click the aa button in the address bar
  1. 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.
macbook pro esc key

How to Block Ads on Chrome on Mac

There are several ways to block ads on Google Chrome, one of the most popular web browsers. Some methods are similar to the methods for Safari. Still I have described them here again as Chrome settings are a bit different than Safari.

Here are two methods to block ads on Chrome on Mac:

1. Use a Browser Extension

Many ad-blocking extensions available for Chrome can help you block ads. Some popular examples include Adblock Plus, uBlock Origin, and AdGuard. These extensions work by analyzing the content of web pages and blocking ads as they are loaded.

Follow these steps to block ads on Mac using a browser extension on Chrome:

  1. Open the Chrome Web Store and search for an ad-blocking extension.
open the chrome web store and search for an ad blocking extension
  1. Click the extension you want to use, then click the Add to Chrome button to install it.
click the add to chrome button to install it
  1. Once installed, the extension should automatically start blocking ads on web pages.
click the add extension to confirm

2. Use Chrome’s Built-in Ad Blocker

Chrome also has a built-in ad blocker that can block certain types of ads. This feature is not enabled by default, so you must turn it on in Chrome’s settings.

Here are the steps to block ads using Chrome’s built-in ad blocker:

  1. Open Chrome and click the three-dot icon in the top right corner of the browser.
open chrome and click the three dots in the windows top right corner
  1. Click Settings > Privacy and Security section > Site settings.
click privacy and security section and select site settings
  1. In Site settings, click Intrusive ads under Additional content settings.
click intrusive ads section
  1. Select the Blocked on sites that tend to show intrusive ads (recommended) option to turn on the ad blocker.
blocked on sites that tend to show intrusive ads to turn on the ad blocker

How to Block Ads on Firefox on Mac

There are several ways to block ads on Firefox on Mac. You can choose the method that best suits your needs and preferences.

1. Using a Browser Extension

Browser extensions are add-ons that can be installed on Firefox to enhance its functionality. Many ad-blocking extensions are available for Firefox, such as AdBlock Plus, uBlock Origin, and AdGuard. These extensions work by blocking website ads by analyzing web pages’ content and removing the ads.

Follow these steps to block ads on Firefox:

  1. Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner and select Add-ons.
click add ons
  1. Search for the ad-blocker extension you want to install in the search bar and click Install.
search for the ad blocker extension click add to firefox
  1. Once the extension is installed, it should automatically block web page ads.
click on add to add extension

2. Using Firefox’s Built-in Tracking Protection

Firefox has a built-in Tracking Protection feature that blocks known trackers and ads. This feature works by analyzing the content of web pages and removing the elements that track your activity across the web.

Here are the steps to block ads on Firefox:

  1. Open Firefox, click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner, and select Settings.
click the firefox menu and select settings
  1. Click Privacy & Security in the left-hand menu.
click privacy and security in the left hand menu
  1. Under the Enhanced Tracking Protection section, select Strict to block trackers and ads on all websites.
select strict to block trackers and ads on all websites

Final Tips

Blocking ads on Safari, Chrome, and Firefox on Mac can significantly improve your browsing experience, increase your productivity, and protect your privacy.  Here are some more tips that you can keep in mind for the future:

  • Consider using a VPN on your Mac to encrypt your online activity and protect your data from prying eyes.
  • Only download ad-blocking software from trusted sources, and always run a virus scan on your Mac before and after installing any new software.
  • Keep your browser and ad blocker up-to-date to ensure maximum protection against ads.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Can ad blockers improve my privacy on Mac? 

    Yes, ad blockers can improve your privacy on Mac by blocking tracking scripts and cookies that advertisers use to collect data about your online behavior. They can protect your personal information and browsing history from being tracked and used for targeted advertising.

  2. Can I block specific types of ads, such as pop-ups or video ads? 

    Yes, you can block specific types of ads, such as pop-ups or video ads. Many ad blockers allow you to customize your settings and block specific types of ads. It can help you tailor your ad-blocking experience to your preferences.

  3. Will blocking ads affect the functionality of websites or cause any issues?

    Blocking ads may occasionally affect the layout or functionality of certain websites that rely heavily on ads. However, reputable ad blockers typically offer customizable settings, allowing you to whitelist specific websites to support them while still blocking intrusive ads.

Hashir Ibrahim

Author

I'm Hashir, a tech journalist with a decade of experience. My work has been featured in some of the top tech publications like MakeUseOf and MakeTechEasier. I have a bachelor's degree in IT, a master's in cybersecurity, and extensive knowledge of Apple hardware, specifically MacBooks. As the senior writer at MacBook Journal, I write in depth guides that help you solve any issues you have with your mac and unbiased reviews that help you make the right buying decisions.

Ojash

Reviewer

Hi there! I'm Ojash, a tech journalist with over a decade of experience in the industry. I've had the privilege of contributing to some of the world's largest tech publications, making my mark as a respected Mac expert. My passion lies in exploring, using, and writing about MacBooks, and I enjoy sharing my expertise to help others make informed decisions and get the most out of their MacBook experience. Join me as we delve into the fascinating world of MacBooks together!

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