How to Remove Unwanted Ads on Google Chrome

If you’re a Chrome user, you might be wondering how you can remove unwanted ads from your browser. Google Chrome can frequently become overrun with advertisements that detract from the user experience, despite being a well-known web browser with a wealth of features and advantages for browsing the internet.

While some of these ads are harmless, others can be quite disruptive and potentially dangerous, serving as gateways for phishers and installing malware on the system.

Therefore, it is essential to know how to remove unwanted ads from Chrome to ensure complete safety and browsing pleasure.

How to Remove Unwanted Ads on Google Chrome

This article will show you how to remove unwanted ads using various approaches.

Method 1: Use the Chrome Ad Blocker

There were 763.5 million Adblock users worldwide in the fourth quarter of 2019. In the third quarter of 2021, it was projected that the average global adblocking rate will be 37%.

This shows that many internet users who want a cleaner, more efficient browsing experience frequently use ad-blocking.

Interestingly, Google Chrome has a built-in ad blocker that blocks some kinds of ads on sites.

This feature is based on the Coalition for Better Ads’ standards, which aim to improve users’ browsing experiences by blocking aggressive ads that can harm them.

Follow these instructions to make this feature active:

• On your laptop or desktop, launch Google Chrome.
• Click on the three dots in the upper-right corner of the window to select “Settings.”
• Click the “Advanced” button at the bottom of the page as you go down.
• Under Privacy and Security, select “Site Settings.”
• Select “Ads.”
• Toggle on the switch for “Blocked on sites that show intrusive or misleading ads (recommended)”.

Once you enable this setting, Chrome will block ads that are deemed intrusive or misleading. These types of ads include pop-ups, full-screen ads, auto-playing videos with sound, large flashing ads, and ads that hide or deceive the viewer.

Method 2: Use an Ad Blocker Extension

The Chrome ad-blocker can stop certain ads, though, and it might not be enough. Hence, a Chrome extension ad-blocker – which is a third-party program – is another effective option to remove annoying ads.

Some ad-blocker extensions are free, while others require payment or donations.

Some popular ad-blocker extensions are AdBlock, AdBlock Plus, and uBlock Origin.

Observe the steps below to install third-party ad-blocker extensions:

• On your laptop or desktop, launch Google Chrome.
• Select “More Tools” > “Extensions” by clicking on the three dots in the upper-right corner of the window.
• Click the “Download additional extensions” link at the bottom of the page when you have scrolled there.
• Look for an addon that blocks ads and accomplishes your goals.
• Choose the extension you wish to install by clicking the “Add to Chrome” button next to it.
• To add the extension to your browser, adhere to the instructions.

Ad-blocker extensions normally function by identifying and evaluating advertisements based on certain characteristics, such as their size, shape, and position, and then blocking their loading.

Method 3: Remove Adware from Your Computer

Adware is another factor that causes ads to pop up in your browser.

Adware is a sort of spyware that frequently shows unwanted advertisements on your computer without your knowledge. Adware can spread through social networking platforms, such as Kik, FML, The Psst, and Friend Shoulder, posing as official plugins or extensions but actually spreading spam and interfering with your browser.

When you click on dangerous links or download infected files, the adware can potentially get into your computer.

Use these steps to install adware:

• Download free software
• Visiting rogue websites
• Or by clicking on links in spam emails

You may use your favorite antivirus program to scan for viruses and remove adware from your computer. Windows Defender is an integrated antivirus application that comes with Windows.

To remove adware from your Windows system, do these:

• Access the Windows Security software by heading to “Update & Security” > “Windows Security” on the Start menu after clicking “Settings.”
• Click on “Virus and Threat Prevention.”
• Choose “Scan options” from the “Current threats” list.
• Choose “Full scan” and then click “Scan now.”
• Wait till the scan is complete.

The scanner will prompt you to remove any adware detected on your computer.

Removing the adware can help eliminate unwanted ads from your browser.

Method 4: Clear Your Browser Cache and Cookie

When the cache is cleared from your browser, it helps get rid of unwanted ads.

Your browser stores cookies and cache in order to remember your login information and to speed up website loading. However, this data may also include ad trackers that display targeted advertisements.

Do the following actions to erase the cache and cookies:

• Start the Chrome web browser
• Clear browsing data by choosing “More Tools” from the drop-down menu after clicking the three dots in the upper right corner of the window.
• Choose a time range for how far back in time you wish to remove the data in the “Clear browsing data” window.
• Select “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files.”
• Choose “Clear data” from the menu.

Any ad trackers that were saved in your browser will be deleted after clearing your cache and cookies, which may help you see fewer ads while surfing.

Conclusion

To sum up, unwanted ads can be a major annoyance when browsing the internet with Google Chrome. However, this article has demonstrated that there are various methods to deal with such ads effectively.

The built-in ad blocker, as well as third-party ad-blocking extensions, are two efficient ways to prevent such ads from appearing, whereas removing adware and clearing your cache and cookies can help eliminate ad trackers.

By following these techniques, users can browse Google Chrome more efficiently, safely, and without any unwanted ads.