With all their problematic data collection practices and leaks, it’s understandable why someone would want to block ads on Facebook. But when it comes to platforms like these, you must understand that they collect your data in many ways. Cookies and third-party trackers are still used. However, your Facebook activities, interactions with people, and even the WiFi network you share with others could be used to build your ad profile.
So, while there are ways to block ads from appearing on your feed, this does little for your privacy. Also, let’s get this out of the way. If you want to block ads on the official Facebook app on Android or iOS, you’re lucked out. It’s not possible anymore. So don’t go out there installing random .apk files from unverified sources that’ll likely get you hacked. With all that being said, let’s start with the easiest method.
How to block all ads on Facebook? (the easy way)
This is a three-step, easy method for blocking Facebook ads on Chrome and all Chromium-based browsers, including Edge, Opera, and Vivaldi.
- Download and install Total Adblock from the web store.
- Go through the setup page.
- Enable the ad blocker.
How to take control of your data on Facebook?
As I hinted before, simply preventing ads from appearing on your feed solves half of the problem. The good thing is that Total Adblock also prevents third-party tracking. However, as you share, interact, and engage on Facebook, it also learns about your ad preferences. To have better control over it, here are a few settings you should change.
First, go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Account Center > Ad preferences. From there, you can directly hide ads from specific advertisers and choose to see less of specific ad topics. You can spend some time there. But the settings we want to change are on the next tab. Go to “Manage info.”
In this section, you will find “categories used to reach you.” There, you’ll see that Facebook uses your employer, job title, education, and relationship status to target you. You can opt out of these categories. And in the “categories associated with you” section, you can remove more data points that are used to reach you.
Next, in the “activity information from ad partners” section, choose “No, don’t make my ads more relevant by using this information.” This prevents facebook from using information of your off-site activities for advertising. Now, for preventing meta from showing you ads outside of their own platforms, select “ads shown outside of Meta” and choose “not allowed.”
Facebook often uses social interactions like page likes, app usage, and event responses alongside ads for your friends to see. If you don’t want that, you can go to “Social Interactions” and choose your account, and when asked, “who can see your social interactions alongside ads for this account?” select “only me”.
Meta Account Center also lets you access and download your information to see exactly what they have on you. Assume that everything they have on you can be used to show you targeted ads. Moreover, all this data could be vulnerable during a leak at meta.
Alternative Ad Blocking Methods for Facebook
We’ve covered how to block Facebook ads on Chrome and and limit data collection by modifying your ad preferences. But there are other ways to block Facebook ads.
How to Block Facebook ads on Android and iOS?
We’ve already clarified that ads on the official Facebook app cannot be blocked. However, if you’re okay with browsing Facebook through a web browser, there are two options available.
Brave Browser
Brave has a built-in ad blocker that works on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. So you can just use Facebook on Brave. If using the browser, typing in a URL, and all of that feels too much work, Brave also lets you turn websites into web apps. You can use that to make a Facebook web app with a built-in ad blocker.
Firefox with uBlock Origin
Firefox on Android supports extensions. So, you can use uBlock Origin to block all Facebook ads on Android.
Block Facebook ads and Trackers with Firefox Containers.
Firefox’s first-party Facebook container extension lets you isolate Facebook from other tabs. This means Facebook won’t be able to track your activities outside of its container. This is a great privacy feature. If you pair this with Privacy Badger and uBlock Origin, you can have a full ads and trackers-free experience for Facebook on Firefox.
Block Facebook Ads with AdGuard
AdGuard can block Facebook ads from the web on any device. You can install the AdGuard app, browser extension, or DNS on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. Almost anywhere you can get ads, you can get AdGuard. It works great when removing Facebook ads from any web page. It only comes short when it comes to the Facebook app.
Hide a specific ad on Facebook
If you’re more interested in hiding a specific ad on Facebook, you can do that very easily by clicking on the three dots next to the ad and clicking “hide ad.” There’s also the option to report ads and give feedback. Ads can also be hidden from “ad preferences.” on Meta Account Manager.
Wrapping Up
Facebook has been around for more than two decades now. While their data collection methods and advertising practices are questionable, we can also understand that many people have their entire social circle on Facebook, and it’s difficult for them to transition to a different platform.
However, by following some of the practices discussed in our comprehensive guide, you can make the best out of it while keeping data safe.