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In this article, you’ll learn how to get rid of ads on Facebook with eight methods proven to work, such as using a VPN or an ad blocker, or turning off personalized ads. We also include a step-by-step guide on how to set up a VPN to block ads.
Written by Wisdom Sablah (Writer)
Reviewed by Kate Hawkins (Editor, Writer)
Facts checked by Simona Ivanovski (Fact-Checker, Formatter)
Last Updated:
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Facts & Expert Analysis: Block Ads on Facebook
After extensive research and testing, we’ve discovered how to get rid of ads on Facebook in several quick and easy ways. Facebook makes money through ads, including image, video and carousel ads. However, they can be disruptive and intrusive. Facebook serves its ads from the same domain as its main content, so they are usually difficult to block.
Our tests show that using one of the best VPNs with an ad blocker can significantly reduce the number of ads you see. The best option is Surfshark, thanks to its affordable pricing, built-in ad blocker and secure VPN service. In this article, we’ll guide you through using an ad-blocking VPN and seven other ways to block or significantly reduce Facebook ads.
Wisdom Sablah (Writer)
Wisdom Sablah is a specialist in VPN-related content and a dedicated contributor to Cloudwards for two years. Boasting a background that combines software reviewing, content management, and SaaS business development, his expertise is also evidenced by features on platforms like TechRadar and VPN Overview. Wisdom is a graduate in Mathematics from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and holds a Content Marketing Certification from HubSpot Academy. Beyond his professional endeavors, he enjoys memoirs, gardening, and documentaries.
Kate Hawkins (Editor, Writer)
Kate Hawkins is a freelance writer and editor with over a decade of experience, specializing in VPN software and technology since 2019. Her work, featured on platforms like WizCase, includes reviews, how-to guides and articles. She holds a BA in English literature and drama from Queen Mary University of London. Outside of work, Kate enjoys horror novels, scary movies, rock and metal music and video games, particularly the Broken Sword series.
Learn more about our editorial team and our research process.
We’ve rewritten this article to add more options for blocking Facebook advertisements.
If you’re tired of seeing ads on your Facebook account, you can ward them off with an ad-blocking VPN, an ad blocker, an ad-blocking browser or a DNS with ad blocking. You can also adjust or manage the ads you see by turning off personalized ads, hiding specific ads or reporting inappropriate ads.
Using a VPN with an ad blocker blocks many Facebook ads. Our recommended pick is Surfshark. Its built-in ad and tracker blocker, CleanWeb, scans and stops Facebook ad scripts. Our tests revealed that Surfshark blocks video ads, though some sponsored ads kept showing up.
Surfshark’s ad blocker doesn’t require a VPN connection to work, if you use the CleanWeb browser extension. This makes it ideal for people who may forget to switch their VPN on before connecting to Facebook. Read our article on the best VPN with an ad blocker to learn more.
Ad-blocking browser extensions can help you block ads on Facebook’s web app. These extension tools work by preventing ad scripts from loading. You can find your preferred ad blocker in your browser’s web store. We recommend AdBlock, one of the best ad blockers. It excels at blocking pop-ups, floating videos and trackers.
Another way to block Facebook ads is to use a browser with built-in ad blocking, which eliminates the need to install third-party ad-blocking extensions. A browser like Brave blocks embedded ads in web pages, third-party trackers and fingerprinting scripts as you scroll through your Facebook feed.
You can’t block Facebook ads entirely in ad settings, but you can adjust your ad preferences to make them less invasive. Facebook uses data like profile details, interests and activity to send targeted ads. If your interests change or you don’t want personalized ads, click on the menu button, then “settings and privacy” > “settings” > “ad “preferences.”
You can hide particular Facebook ads if they are not relevant or if they are inappropriate or sensitive. Facebook won’t show you the ad again if you opt to hide it. To do so, click on the three dots above the ad and select “hide ad.” In addition, Facebook gives you the option to stop all ads from that advertiser.
Facebook shows you ads based on topics you seem interested in. You can review your Facebook ad settings and opt to see fewer ads in specific categories. For example, if you don’t want to see alcohol-related ads, go to “ad preferences” and click on “ad topics.” Scroll through the options until you find “liquor, beer & wine” and select “see less.”
Facebook’s ad settings include an option to report inappropriate ads. Click on the three dots at the top of the ad and select “report ad.” When you report an ad, Facebook will ask you to choose a reason for reporting the ad and won’t show you the ad again. Potential reasons include scams, adult content, violence or the promotion of restricted content.
You can use a DNS (Domain Name System) server with ad blocking to block ads at the DNS level. As Facebook serves ads from the same domain as its main content, DNS-based blocking is largely ineffective on the platform itself. However, it can give you a shot at removing some external ads and trackers linked within Facebook.
To stop Facebook ads with a VPN, you’ll have to connect to a VPN server and activate ad blocking (if it’s not automatic). The steps below will show you exactly what to do. We’ll use Surfshark as our example, but similar steps apply to other VPNs.
Visit Surfshark’s website and purchase a plan. The two-year subscription offers the best value and a 87% discount.
Go to your device’s app store and search for the VPN. Click on the “install” button to download and install it. Alternatively, you can download the VPN’s installation package from its website.
Go to the VPN’s settings and toggle on (or check) the button for the ad blocker. We recommend turning on the tracker blocker as well.
Open the VPN app and connect to a server. We recommend servers close to your location. For instance, if you’re in New York, choose a New York server.
Log in to your Facebook account and start browsing your feed, enjoying fewer advertisements than usual.
Not all VPNs will work to block ads on Facebook. However, the two following VPNs have ad blocking features, and in our testing, they do a good job of blocking Facebook advertising.
Surfshark is a budget-friendly VPN and ad-blocking solution for Facebook. CleanWeb does a good job of blocking sidebar ads in particular, plus if you use the Surfshark extension you can turn on CleanWeb without connecting to a VPN server.
Surfshark VPN offers more than 3,500 servers in 100 countries. This makes it easy to find a local connection that won’t significantly impact speeds while you’re browsing Facebook or watching Reels. Discover more in our Surfshark review, or use its 30-day money-back guarantee to try it out.
NordVPN is the best overall VPN on the market and includes a potent ad blocker for Facebook. Our tests show that NordVPN’s ad blocker can stop many Facebook ads from loading, especially image and video ads. NordVPN’s app provides data on how many ads and trackers it has blocked as you browse your Facebook feed.
With NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro, you don’t need a VPN connection for ad blocking to work. As long as it’s switched on in the app, you’ll see fewer Facebook ads. You can test NordVPN using its 30-day money-back guarantee, or read our NordVPN review to learn more.
Seeing more Facebook ads could be the result of changes to Facebook’s algorithm. Facebook regularly updates its algorithms, so you may periodically see a surge in advertisements.
Another reason you might be seeing more Facebook ads is because of your recent activity. The platform tailors ads to you based on the pages you like, posts you interact with and content you search for. For instance, if you click on an ad, Facebook’s algorithm will register it as an interest and send you more related ads or ads from that advertiser.
Facebook also uses ads to fill up space on pages where there’s little organic content. When there’s not enough engaging content from you and your friends, or from groups and pages you interact with, Facebook will use ads as a filler.
If you’re tired of Facebook ads, there are multiple ways to hide them or reduce how many you see. The best way is to use a VPN with ad blocking. Our top recommendation is Surfshark due to its powerful ad blocker. Other ways to get rid of Facebook ads include using an ad blocker and turning off personalized ads.
Which ad-blocking methods have you used before? Have you ever used a VPN to block ads? Are the recommendations in this article helpful? Share your experiences and thoughts with us in the comment section below. As always, thanks for reading.
Increased Facebook ads could be the result of your recent activity on the platform, such as liking pages or interacting with sponsored content. Facebook uses this data to tailor and increase ad activity.
To see more posts from your friends, adjust your feed preferences to prioritize content from specific people or pages.
There’s no official Facebook ad blocker, but tools like ad-blocking browsers or extensions can reduce the number of ads you see. Some VPNs, like Surfshark, also include ad-blocking features.
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