How to stop pop-up ads on your browser

Edited 1 week ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

Pop-Up AdsBrowserInternetSettingsPrivacyChromeFirefoxSafariSecurityWeb

Pop-up ads are elements that open in a new browser window and cover the current web page or open in a new tab. These can be quite annoying and often interrupt your browsing experience. Fortunately, there are several ways to stop pop-up ads on your browser. This comprehensive guide will take you through detailed steps for different web browsers, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Safari, and others. By following these steps, you can ensure a smooth and ad-free browsing experience.

1. Google Chrome

Google Chrome is one of the most popular web browsers and has built-in settings to block pop-up ads.

Step-by-step guide

• Open Google Chrome.
• Click on the three dots located in the upper-right corner of the browser, also known as the Menu or Settings button.
• Select "Settings" from the dropdown menu.
• Scroll down and click "Privacy and Security" in the left sidebar.
• Click "Site Settings." Under the "Privacy and Security" section, find the "Pop-ups and Redirects" option and click on it.
• Make sure the toggle is set to “Blocked.” This setting will block all pop-ups on all websites.

Here's an example of how you can add an exception if you find a legitimate site that requires a pop-up:

• On the same “Pop-ups and Redirects” page, click the “Add” button next to the “Allow” section.
• Enter the URL of the site you want to allow pop-ups for, and click "Add."

2. Mozilla Firefox

Mozilla Firefox also offers an excellent built-in pop-up blocker that you can easily configure.

Step-by-step guide

• Open Mozilla Firefox.
• Click on the three horizontal lines called Menu button in the upper-right corner.
• Select "Options" or "Preferences" from the dropdown menu.
• Go to the "Privacy & Security" panel.
• Scroll down to the "Permissions" section.
• Check the box next to "Block pop-up windows."

If you need to allow pop-ups for specific websites, follow these steps:

• Click the "Exceptions..." button next to the "Block pop-up windows" checkbox.
• Enter the URL of the website you want to allow pop-ups for and click "Allow."
• Click "Save Changes."

3. Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge also includes settings to easily block pop-up ads.

Step-by-step guide

• Open Microsoft Edge.
• Click on the three dots (menu button) in the top right corner.
• Select "Settings" from the dropdown menu.
• Click "Cookies and site permissions" in the left sidebar.
• Scroll down to “All Permissions” and click “Pop-ups and Redirects.”
• Make sure the toggle is set to “Blocked.”

If you want to allow pop-ups for specific websites in Microsoft Edge:

• On the "Pop-ups and Redirects" page, click the "Add" button next to the "Allow" section.
• Enter the URL of the site you want to allow pop-ups for, and click "Add."

4. Safari (Mac)

Safari is the default web browser on macOS that has settings to block pop-up ads.

Step-by-step guide

• Open Safari.
• Click "Safari" in the top menu bar, and then select "Preferences."
• Click the "Websites" tab.
• In the sidebar, select "Pop-up Windows."
• Below it says "When visiting other websites," select "Block and notify" or "Block."

If you need to allow pop-ups for specific websites:

• In the "Websites" section under "Pop-up Windows," you'll see a list of the websites currently open.
• Select "Allow" from the dropdown menu next to each website.

5. Opera

Opera is another web browser that offers options to block pop-up ads.

Step-by-step guide

• Open Opera.
• Click the "O" menu button in the upper-left corner of the browser.
• Select "Settings" or press "Alt + P".
• Scroll down to the "Privacy and Security" section.
• Click "Site Settings."
• Under "Content," click "Pop-ups and redirects."
• Make sure the toggle is set to “Blocked (recommended).”

To allow pop-ups for specific websites:

• On the “Pop-ups and Redirects” settings page, click the “Add” button next to the “Allow” section.
• Enter the URL of the site you want to allow pop-ups for, and click "Add."

Additional tools and extensions

Although built-in browser settings are effective, additional tools and extensions can provide advanced ad-blocking capabilities.

1. Adblock or Adblock Plus

AdBlock and AdBlock Plus are popular browser extensions that block ads, including pop-ups. They are available for many browsers.

Installation and configuration

• Go to your browser's extension store (Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons, etc.).
• Search for "AdBlock" or "AdBlock Plus."
• Click “Add to Chrome/Firefox/Edge” to install the extension.
• Once installed, click the AdBlock or AdBlock Plus icon in your browser's toolbar.
• Configure the settings according to your preferences.

2. uBlock Origin

uBlock Origin is another effective ad blocking extension that focuses on minimal memory usage while providing comprehensive ad blocking.

Installation and configuration

• Go to your browser's extension store.
• Search for "uBlock Origin".
• Click “Add to Chrome/Firefox/Edge” to install the extension.
• After installation, click on the uBlock Origin icon in your toolbar.
• Configure the settings as needed.

Mobile browser

Pop-up ads are not limited to desktop browsers; they can also appear on mobile browsers. Here are the steps to block pop-ups on mobile browsers.

1. Chrome (Android and iOS)

• Open the Chrome app on your device.
• Tap on the three dots (menu button) in the top right corner.
• Select "Settings."
• Tap "Site settings."
• Tap "Pop-ups and redirects."
• Make sure the toggle is set to “Blocked.”

2. Safari (iOS)

• Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
• Scroll down and tap "Safari."
• Find the "Block Pop-ups" option under "General."
• Make sure the toggle is set to “On.”

Conclusion

Pop-up ads can be incredibly disruptive, but luckily, most modern browsers offer robust settings to block these intrusive elements. By following the steps outlined for your specific browser, you can easily manage pop-up settings and ensure a more pleasant browsing experience. Additionally, better control over ads can be gained by using browser extensions like AdBlock, AdBlock Plus or uBlock Origin, leading to a cleaner and more efficient browsing experience. For mobile users, the steps to block pop-ups in Chrome and Safari are straightforward and efficient. Taking advantage of these settings will ensure that your browsing is smooth and hassle-free across all your devices. By taking these measures, you can significantly reduce the annoyance of pop-up ads and enjoy a more seamless digital experience.

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