Ads are everywhere on the internet, and they can serve as a distraction when browsing on your Mac computer. They can reduce the speed of your system and also occupy storage space, making it difficult to maintain the performance of your computer. This blog post, "How to Block Ads on Safari on Mac," provides several methods for filtering ads on your Safari browser and improving your browsing experience.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Block Ads on Safari on Mac
Ad-blocking is an essential method to improve the browsing experience on your Mac computer. Here are some reasons why you need to block ads:
1. Eliminates distractions: Ads are annoying and can distract you when browsing. They also consume bandwidth on your internet plan, slowing down your connection when you need it most.
2. Enhanced Security: Advertisements can contain malicious links that can infect your device with malware or spyware. Putting up barriers to block such links can save your device from security threats.
3. Improved privacy: Ads often collect data from users. By blocking them, you reduce the risk of your personal data being collected without your consent.
Method 1: Use Safari’s Built-In Ad-Blocking Feature
Safari has an in-built ad-blocking feature that blocks pop-ups and ads on your web pages. Here is how to enable it:
1. Open Safari.
2. Click Safari from the menu bar, located at the top of your screen.
3. Click Preferences from the drop-down menu.
4. Click the Security icon, located at the top of the pop-up.
5. Tick the "Block pop-up windows" box.
6. Click Block and Notify Me to personalize the feature.
7. Afterward, restart your Safari browser.
Pros:
– It’s free.
– It helps you block pop-ups and ads instantly.
– It’s designed to work on Safari browser so that you won’t have to download any other app.
Cons:
– It doesn’t work with all types of ads.
– It may occasionally block legitimate content or links.
Method 2: Block Ads using Third-Party Ad Blocker Extensions
By using a third-party ad-blocking extension, you can customize the way you block ads. Here’s one of the most popular ad-blocker extensions:
1. Open Safari.
2. Click Safari from the menu bar, located at the top of your screen.
3. Click Safari Extensions from the drop-down menu.
4. Look for ‘Adblock’ and click "Install Now" to add it to your browser.
5. Restart your Safari browser.
Pros:
– You can select which ads to block and when to do it.
– It works with Chrome, Firefox, and other browsers.
– It doesn’t need a lot of RAM usage.
Cons:
– The extension may block non-advertisements links.
– Pop-ups may still generate when using certain websites.
Method 3: Edit Auto-Fill Settings to Block Ads
Editing the auto-fill settings on your browser can help block ads and prevent sites from tracking your browsing behaviour. Here’s how:
1. Launch Safari.
2. Click Preferences, then click the Auto-fill tab.
3. Click the Edit button next to Other Form Data.
4. In the "Attribute" column, select "name" and in the "Value" column, type "ad."
5. On the dropdown menu next to the Value column, select the "Block" option.
Pros:
– It can easily stop specific ads from displaying.
– The process is more approachable, especially for advanced Mac computer users.
Cons:
– The manual process might be time-consuming.
– The solution may result in "holes" where some ads remain visible, reducing the browsing experience.
What to do if you can’t Block Ads on Safari on Mac
If you’re ever in a position where you can’t block ads using any of our methods; try updating your Safari browser or using an alternative browser such as Chrome or Firefox.
Bonus Tip: Keep Your Safari Browser up to Date
Updating your Safari browser enables you to get the best out of the ad-blocking feature. The latest updates come with bug fixes, improvements and increase the software performance of your device.
5 FAQs
Q1: How else can I block ads on Safari?
A: Safari users can use third-party ad-blocker extensions such as AdBlock Plus, StopAd and uBlock.
Q2: Can I block ads from a specific source?
A: Yes, using edited auto-fill settings that we showed in Method 3, you can block ads from a specific source.
Q3: How do I whitelist a site on my ad-blocker?
A: Click on the ad-blocker icon on your Safari’s menu bar. Look at your options panel, then click Whitelist the site.
Q4: Do Ad-blockers work with all kinds of ads?
A: Ad-blockers are excellent for blocking most pop-ups, ads, banners, and other kinds of ads.
Q5: Why should I use a third-party ad-blocker if Safari has an in-built feature?
A: Third-party ad-blockers provide more expansive features and more comprehensive ad-blocking resources than Safari’s built-in feature.
Final Thoughts
Blocking ads on Safari in Mac is crucial if you’re looking for undistracted browsing and enhanced security. Using the in-built ad-block feature, third-party extensions, and editing auto-fill settings are effective methods to block ads. Don’t forget to keep your browser up to date and enjoy your ad-free browsing experience!