Online ads usually make your browsing experience way worse. They clutter large parts of websites, slow downloading speeds, and might be sources of malware. So it’s no wonder ad blockers are so popular. However, there are several factors to take into account when using one.
An ad blocker is any app (usually a browser extension) that removes advertising material from websites. While a site is loading, the ad blocking software checks the domain names of the elements loading on the web page against massive blacklists. If any site component is flagged as advertising material, the ad blocker stops it from loading.
After the page content is displayed, the ad blocker looks for elements that meet certain rules, e.g., images in common banner dimensions, and hides them from the screen.
The good thing about ad blocking is that it significantly improves your browsing experience by removing annoying pop-ups, video ads, and tons of content that doesn’t interest you at all. However, there are more benefits of installing ad-blocking software:
With an ad blocker turned on, you can finally read your favorite articles, watch Youtube videos, and browse in peace without flashy ads popping up on your screen. However, publishers don’t get paid for ads that don’t reach you.
Sometimes, the content you are used to accessing for free is actually paid for by ads – and advertisers only pay for ads that get served. If an ad doesn’t appear on your mobile or desktop screen because you blocked it, the site you love to read simply won’t get paid.
Publishers, of course, try their best to find ways around ad blocking. Some of them produce sponsored content, while others offer paid subscriptions or ask you politely to whitelist their website or pause your ad blocker for a while. Some even prevent readers from accessing their content if an ad blocker is turned on.
Ads can be intrusive and annoying, but they are also the reason some of your favorite websites and online services exist. Using ad blockers is still generally worth it, but you can also consider shutting them off while browsing reputable sites you’d like to support.
Ad-block software is not fool-proof protection and might not work in the following cases:
Here are a few ways to block Twitch ads:
As there is a wide variety of ad-blocking programs and browser extensions available, here are a few aspects to pay attention to when choosing the right one:
Another option is to get a VPN (Virtual Private Network) with a built-in ad blocker that prevents ads from following you online and keeps your browsing activity safe at the same time.
NordVPN’s CyberSec technology efficiently blocks suspicious domains so that no malware or other cyber threats can infect your device. It also effectively blocks ads on mobile. On top of that, it will hide unwanted pop-ups, autoplay video ads, and other advertising material the moment you enter a website. Just make sure you download our VPN for android from our official website as it no longer blocks ads if downloaded from Google Play store due to Google’s policies.
Try NordVPN's CyberSec feature to make your browsing smoother. We also offer 30-day money-back guarantee policy.