How to stop ads on Facebook in 2023

Facebook ads are not only annoying but also intrusive and oftentimes irrelevant. Additionally, many are uncomfortable with how Facebook compromises user privacy to serve targeted ads. And the spread of fake news or misinformation via Facebook ads is a concern, too.

These Facebook ads are the primary source of revenue for the free platform and, in 2022 alone, it generated a whopping $113.6 billion in ad revenues. So, it’s fair to say they aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.

If you are over it and desperate to find out how to block ads on Facebook, we’ve got your back. Below, we’ll share how to stop ads on Facebook using an ad blocker, along with other handy methods.

How to stop ads on Facebook with an ad blocker in 4 steps

1. Choose a reliable ad blocker. We recommend NordVPN Threat Protection, now at 54% OFF.
2. Download and install the ad blocker app on your device.
3. Create your account.
4. Head over to settings and enable the ad-blocking feature Threat Protection.
5. Enjoy ad-free Facebook!

Why you might want to block ads on Facebook

Many people tend to block ads on Facebook because they find them annoying. While that’s a very valid reason, there are also other very compelling reasons why you might want to stop ads on Facebook:

• Protect privacy. Facebook is notorious for collecting invasive user data – including browsing history and personal information – and using it to target you with ads. Blocking these intrusive targeted ads helps protect your privacy.
• Enhance security. Hackers are known to use ads to distribute malware. By blocking ads on Facebook, you greatly minimize the risk of infecting your device with malware and falling victim to phishing scams.
• Boost speed. Bloated ads can greatly impair browsing speeds. Hence, stopping ads on Facebook could be the answer to a better and faster browsing experience. This, in turn, helps to reduce data usage and extend battery life.
• Improve user experience. Facebook ads tend to clutter up the timeline and distract from the browsing experience. A reputable ad blocker prevents annoying pop-ups and disruptive ads from covering up the content that you’re actually interested in.

How to stop ads on Facebook with an ad blocker: detailed guide

Here’s the step-by-step guide on how to get rid of ads on Facebook with an ad blocker:

1. Pick an ad blocker that can remove ads on Facebook. NordVPN Threat Protection is the perfect candidate for the job.
2. Download the app and install it on your device.
3. Create NordVPN Account.
4. Go to settings and enable the provider’s ad-blocking feature. On NordVPN, this feature is called Threat Protection. You can find it by clicking on the shield icon on the left-hand menu. There’s also a Lite version for more basic protection if you scroll further down the page.
5. Click on the Settings tab to customize your protection.
6. Head back to Facebook and freely browse without being bombarded by ads.

Visit Nord Adblock

NordVPN Threat Protection is the best Facebook ad blocker because it also stops trackers, dangerous files, and malicious websites. With it, you’ll be able to block Facebook ads on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari browsers as well as Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices.

How to choose an ad blocker to block Facebook ads

Using an ad blocker is one of the best ways you can avoid Facebook ads. However, not any run-of-the-mill provider will be effective. So, here are some factors to consider when picking a robust ad blocker to remove ads on Facebook:

• Strong ad blocking capabilities. Ensure your chosen ad blocker has been proven to effectively remove all sorts of ads, including pop-ups, banners, and others. Using a 30-day money-back guarantee can help you test the service by yourself.
• Reputation. As adware is one of the most powerful ways for a hacker to get into your device's system or steal your online identity, it’s important that the ad blocker you choose has no unsolved privacy violation cases from the past.
• Extra features. Ad blocking alone isn’t enough to ensure unbreakable protection. Hence, look for providers that include extras, like a VPN, antivirus, password manager, credit monitoring, and more security tools.
• Compatibility and ease of use. Make sure that the ad blocker you’re eyeing is compatible with your devices and browser. Additionally, the app interface should be intuitive, simple, and easy to navigate.
• Price. Ad blockers prices vary wildly depending on the providers. There are many affordable options out there that are great at blocking ads on Facebook.

Other methods of blocking ads on Facebook

Ad blockers are the most straightforward way to stop adware from threatening or bothering you. However, if an ad blocker isn’t a feasible option for you, there are alternatives out there. This includes adjusting your Facebook ad preferences, hiding ads, and using a Brave browser. Continue reading to learn other ways on how to stop sponsored ads on Facebook.

1. Control ads via Ad preferences on Facebook

Facebook’s Ad preferences let you control the ads that you see while on the platform. Here’s how you can tweak your ad preferences:

1. Click on your profile picture on the top right. Then, select Settings & privacy.
2. Click Settings and then select Ads from the left menu.
3. Here, you can see the advertisers you’ve seen recently, and you can choose to hide their ads. Alternatively, you can also manage the data used to show you ads under Ad settings. You can also go to Ad Topics and disable types of ads you’d like to see less.

2. Hide ads on Facebook settings

While you can’t banish ads from Facebook entirely, you do have the option to hide an ad or all ads from a particular advertiser. Simply click on the three dots in the top right of the ad and follow the on-screen prompts.

But keep in mind that you would need to do that each time you come across an annoying content source with ads.

3. Use a browser that blocks ads (Brave)

Brave is a free browser that comes with a built-in ad-blocking feature – Shields. According to Brave, the Shields feature blocks ads and third-party trackers by default. Switching to Brave from your default browser could help to stop ads on Facebook.

4. Report ads

Facebook’s Report ad feature also affords you some control over the ads that appear. Click on the three dots next to the ad, select the Report ad option, and choose the reasons for reporting.

This will help Meta, Facebook’s parent company, to build a profile of what ads shouldn’t be shown to you.

You can download an ad blocker extension to block ads on Facebook or find these tools in robust antivirus or VPN services, too. There are both free and paid versions out there to suit all budgets. Some of the most reliable options include Total Adblock.

With them, not only your Facebook ads will become only a memory but also adware on other websites or apps too. Not to mention the trackers’ blocking that these ad blockers do too.

How Facebook's targeted advertising works

Facebook’s targeted advertisement works by leveraging the user data that the platform has collected to display ads that you’re more likely to be interested in. This explains why its targeted ads are so eerily accurate – even when Facebook (supposedly!) isn’t listening in on your conversation.

Here are the main pillars of Facebook’s targeted ads:

• Data collection. Facebook collects data such as your browsing and search history, demographics, location, and browsing behavior outside of the platform. This, later on, is sold to third parties or used for in-house Meta purposes.
• Audience targeting. Advertisers can strategically target audiences based on criteria like age, gender, interests, and location. There’s also an option to utilize Facebook’s Lookalike Audience feature, which helps ads reach people who are similar to their existing customers.
• Ad creation and placement. Advertisers can greatly customize their ads to tailor to their target audience. Everything from the format to where their ads are shown on the page can be tweaked.
• Ad delivery. The platform’s algorithm considers factors like behaviors, interests, and engagement to decide which ads to show you.

The bottom line

To sum up, Facebook ads aren’t only annoying but can also be invasive, irrelevant, and a security risk. However, since ads are how free platforms like Facebook sustain their operations, the companies won’t be getting rid of them anytime soon.

Luckily, there are easy fixes for this problem. For starters, a well-rounded ad blocker like NordVPN Threat Protection can easily block ads on Facebook. Other alternatives include adjusting ad preferences on Facebook, hiding ads, and reporting ads.

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