How to block ads without Adblock in 2023

Online advertising has become pervasive, with ads appearing on websites, mobile apps, and email inboxes. While many accept ads as a tradeoff for free online content and services, excessive and intrusive ads can create frustrations for internet users. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce ads without installing an ad blocker. This comprehensive guide will explore the motivations behind blocking ads, the limitations of ad blockers, and effective techniques to limit ads without additional software.

Why Block Ads?

There are several key reasons why internet users seek to block or limit advertising:

• Visual clutter – Ads can clutter page layouts and be distracting or annoying. This is especially true on mobile.
• Privacy concerns – Ad networks track users across sites to target ads. This data gathering is seen by many as an invasion of privacy.
• Security risks – Malicious ads have been known to spread malware. Ad blockers offer protection against contaminated ads.
• Data usage – Ads use data and can eat into costly capped internet plans, especially on mobile networks. Reducing ads can save on data usage.
• Slow page loading – Too many ads on a page can slow down loading speeds noticeably.
• Costs of free content – Many accept ads as a compromise for free access to content and services. However, some feel an escalation of ads is unfair trade.

Ad Blocker Limitations

Ad blockers like Adblock Plus and uBlock Origin have become popular ways for users to avoid ads. However, ad blockers have some limitations:

• Binary approach – Ad blockers typically take an all-or-nothing approach. They block all ads or none. There is little middle ground.
• Site breakage – Ad blockers sometimes break page layouts and functionality. Many sites rely on ad revenue and don’t design for ad blockers.
• Circumvention by sites – Publishers increasingly circumvent adblockers to continue showing ads. This triggers an arms race between sites and ad blockers.
• Mobile limitations – Ad blocking on mobile is more difficult due to apps and restrictions imposed by Google and Apple.
• Ethical dilemmas – Ad blockers raise ethical issues by blocking a key revenue source for free online content. Some see it as stealing.

Given these limitations, users may prefer alternative methods to limit ads without completely blocking them. The following sections explore effective techniques to reduce ads without additional software.

Browser Settings to Limit Ads

All major web browsers include settings that can limit advertising without blocking all ads indiscriminately. Key options include:

Chrome:

• Click the Customize and Control Google Chrome icon > Settings > Privacy and Security.
• Enable “Block third-party cookies” to prevent tracking for ad targeting.
• Click “Reset advertising ID” periodically to limit ad targeting.

Firefox:

• Click the menu button > Options > Privacy & Security.
• Enable “Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed” to remove ad tracking cookies.
• Check “Delete cookies and site data” and remove any site permissions under Exceptions to regularly reset ad targeting.

Safari:

• Go to Settings > Safari.
• Enable “Prevent cross-site tracking,” “Block all cookies,” and limit website access to cookies under the Privacy & Security options.

Edge:

• Go to Settings and More> Settings > Cookies and site permissions.
• Toggle “Block third-party cookies” to on and customize when cookies are allowed under Advanced settings. Clear cookies regularly.

These settings restrict ad targeting and tracking while allowing ads that sustain websites. Other options, like disabling JavaScript, can further limit ads but may also break sites.

Use Privacy Browsers

Specialty privacy-focused web browsers provide expanded options to limit ads and tracking. Popular options include:

Brave – Brave automatically blocks ads and website trackers. Users can optionally opt into Brave’s privacy-respecting ad network for revenue sharing.

Firefox Focus – This mobile browser app automatically blocks ads and erases browsing history after each session. Easy to enable when ad blocking is needed.

Tor – Routes traffic through volunteer nodes for anonymity. Built-in adblocker removes ads and trackers. Slow browsing.

DuckDuckGo – Available as an app or setting in other browsers. Blocks trackers and shows simplified ads based on search terms rather than user tracking.

These browsers offer convenience and transparency for those who want privacy defaults without configuring settings. Additionally, browsers like Brave allow ethical ad viewing as an option.

Use a Privacy Web Proxy

Web proxies add a middle layer between you and visited websites to filter content like ads and protect privacy. To use a proxy for ad blocking:

1. Choose a trusted proxy service that maintains your privacy – ProxySite, Hidester, and Proxysite.com are examples. Avoid questionable free proxies.
2. Configure the proxy settings in your browser settings or network settings.
3. Browse as normal, and the proxy will filter ads and trackers from web pages before they reach your browser.

Proxies also hide your IP address and location from sites for improved privacy. Paid proxy services tend to offer better performance, more country choices, and more reliable privacy.

Selectively Block Ads

Try selectively blocking ads using a host file for powerfully customizable ad blocking without a dedicated ad blocker. A host file translates domain names on a system to direct traffic elsewhere, acting as a local DNS override.

To block ads via host file:

1. Locate your OS’s hosts file – at /etc/hosts on Linux/macOS and C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc\hosts on Windows.
2. Open the file in an administrator text editor.
3. Add entries mapping ad domain names to your own localhost IP, like:

127.0.0.1 advertising.com
127.0.0.1 adtech.com

4. Save changes and ads from those domains will be blocked system-wide.

For mobile, apps like AdClear create a local VPN connection to filter mobile ads through a custom host file. Proper configuration blocks ads across apps and browsers.

This method allows for precisely controlling which ad sources are blocked rather than all ads. Regularly update the file as new ad domains are discovered for expanded protection. Back up the file first in case of issues.

Use a Pi-hole on Your Network

For whole home or office ad blocking, Pi-hole is an innovative option. This Linux software turns a Raspberry Pi or cloud server into a DNS sinkhole for ads. Configure router DNS settings to point to the Pi-hole for network-wide ad removal.

Benefits of Pi-hole:

• Blocks ads on all devices when connected to the network
• Removes ads in non-traditional places like smart TV apps
• No client configuration required
• Detailed metrics on all blocked domains
• Ability to whitelist ad-supported sites

Pi-hole is ideal for blocking ads at the network level. It also protects IoT devices that can’t use traditional ad blockers. Use Pi-hole along with browser-based techniques for a layered privacy approach.

How to Use Pi-hole to Block All Ads (Ultimate Guide) – Easy Tech Tutorials (easy-tutorials.com)

Use An Ad Blocker Ethically

If you decide to use an ad blocker after weighing the tradeoffs, use it ethically and mindfully. Here are some tips:

• Whitelist sites you want to support so they still receive ad revenue.
• Disable the ad blocker at times to check if site experiences improve.
• Click occasionalAds even if you don’t engage to provide value for advertisers.
• Avoid outright site blocking unless necessary – opt for hiding elements.
• Consider donating, subscribing, or contributing in lieu of ad views if you rely heavily on a site.
• Install the minimum extensions needed rather than a suite of blockers.

Keep your needs in balance with a publisher’s business model. Consider supporting sites you value through actions like sharing content or buying merchandise.

Conclusion

Intrusive and abundant ads compel many users to remove them outright. However, ad blockers impose ethical dilemmas, break sites, and promote escalation in anti-privacy practices. The techniques in this guide limit ads respectfully using browser settings, specialty software, proxies, host blocking, and network filtering. Used mindfully, they can create an acceptable advertising experience for users while allowing publishers to fund quality sites. The ideal solution may be a sustainable amount of relevant ads shown only to consenting audiences. Until then, these methods allow users to tailor advertising to their comfort level.

References:

Elias, D. (2021). Google wants to disrupt the ad blockers. Can Brave and Vivaldi stand in their way? Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/22684730/google-chrome-ad-blocker-change-brave-vivaldi-privacy

Keung, A. (2020). Ad blockers: A solution or a problem? Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-51413724

Khandelwal, S. (2022). Guide to blocking ads using /etc/hosts file on Linux, Windows, and Android. Retrieved from https://www.thehackernews.com/2022/01/guide-to-blocking-ads-using-etchosts.html

Marshall, A. (2022). How to get rid of ads on any device. Retrieved from https://www.tomsguide.com/us/get-rid-of-ads,review-3009.html

Steven, P. (2020). DNS ad-blocking with Pi-hole. Retrieved from https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/dns-ad-blocking-with-pi-hole