You’re just trying to read an article about a new recipe or check the news, and suddenly your screen is a mess. Banners flash, videos start playing automatically, and pop-ups cover the very thing you wanted to see. It’s 2025, and online ads have gotten, let’s be honest, a little out of control. If you’re asking yourself “how do I remove ads from Google Chrome,” you are definitely not the only one. It feels like a constant battle, but it is a battle you can actually win.

Getting a cleaner, faster browsing experience is not some dark art. It’s about knowing which buttons to press and what tools to use. We’re going to go through the different ways you can get this done, from the super simple one-click solutions to some settings you can mess with inside Chrome itself. The goal here is to give you back control of your browser, so you can see the web content you want to see without all the noise. It’s totally possible.

What’s the Deal With All These Ads Anyway?

So why is this even a problem? Well the internet you use every day is largely paid for by advertising. That’s the basic deal.

Websites make money by showing you these ads. This is how they pay writers, keep servers running, and create the stuff you came to see.

But the system has gotten really aggressive. Trackers follow you from site to site, building a profile on you to show you “better” ads.

This whole setup is what can make your browser feel slow and cluttered. All those ads are data that your computer has to download and show.

So blocking them isn’t just about looks; it can actually make your internet feel a bit faster, and it gives you back some privacy which is nice.

The Best and Easiest Way: Use an Ad Blocker Extension

The most direct way to solve your ad problem is to get an extension. These are little programs that plug right into Chrome.

They work by looking at the websites you visit. They have big lists of known ad servers and scripts. The extension then just stops those things from loading.

The result? The page appears without the ad boxes, the video pop-ups, and most of the annoying banners. It’s normally a pretty clean process.

Finding and Installing a Good Ad Blocker

Getting one is simple. The place you go is the Chrome Web Store, it is Google’s official spot for these kinds of add-ons.

You just search for “ad blocker” and you’ll see a bunch of options. Be careful though some are better than others.

Stick to the ones with millions of users and lots of good reviews. These are generally considered to be the most trustworthy.

Here is what you do:

Open Google Chrome.
Go to the Chrome Web Store. You can just Google it.
In the search bar, type in a name like “uBlock Origin” or “AdBlock Plus”.
Find the one you want and click “Add to Chrome”.
A little box will pop up asking for permission. Click “Add extension”.
That’s it. A new icon will probably appear next to your address bar.

A Couple of Solid Choices for 2025

The ad-blocking world changes a bit but some names are always at the top. The situation with Google’s new extension rules, called Manifest V3, has made things a bit weird, but these still work well.

uBlock Origin: This one is a favorite for people who like performance. It’s known for being very lightweight, meaning it doesn’t slow your computer down. It’s also really good at blocking all sorts of stuff, not just ads.

AdBlock Plus (ABP): This is one of the oldest and most famous ones. It works great right away. One thing to know is that they have an “Acceptable Ads” program, which allows some non-annoying ads through to support websites. You can turn this off in the settings if you want.

Using Chrome’s Built-In Settings to Help

So, maybe you don’t want to add another extension. That’s fair. Chrome has some of its own tools that can help, even if they aren’t a full-blown ad blocker. They are mainly focused on the worst kinds of ads.

The browser itself has an ad blocker of a sort. It is designed to stop ads on sites that have really bad ad experiences, like ones that are just covered in pop-ups.

To make sure it’s on, you need to go into your settings. It’s a bit buried, so most people don’t even know it’s there.

Go to Chrome’s Settings. You can find this by clicking the three little dots in the top-right corner of the browser.

Then, you go to “Privacy and security,” and from there, find “Site Settings.” Scroll down until you see “Additional content settings,” and then click “Intrusive ads.”

Make sure the toggle is set to block. It should be on by default but it is good to check. This won’t stop all ads, not even close, but it will handle the really awful offenders.

For Those Who Want to Go a Step Further

If you’ve done the above and you still want more control, there are a couple of other routes you can take. These are a little more technical but not too hard.

Change Your DNS Server

This sounds complicated but the idea is simple. Your DNS server is like the internet’s phone book. When you type in a website, it looks up the correct address.

Some companies offer special DNS servers that automatically block ad and tracker domains for your entire network.

You change a setting on your computer or router, and suddenly, ads stop working on almost every device in your house, not just your Chrome browser.

Providers like AdGuard DNS or NextDNS are popular for this. They have instructions on their websites that walk you through how to set it up.

It can be a really powerful way to do it. You set it once and then you basically forget about it.

Try a Different Browser

Okay, this is sort of cheating the question. But if you really hate ads, some browsers are built from the ground up to block them.

Brave Browser, for instance, is built on the same technology as Chrome. So it looks and feels almost identical, and all your Chrome extensions will work.

The big difference is that it has a very aggressive ad and tracker blocker built right in, turned on by default. You don’t have to do anything.

For some people, switching browsers is too much of a hassle. For others, it’s the perfect, all-in-one solution to the ad problem.

Frequently Asked Questions About How Do I Remove Ads from Google Chrome

How do I remove ads from Google Chrome for free?

Almost all the popular ad-blocking extensions, like uBlock Origin and AdBlock Plus, are completely free. Chrome’s built-in settings are also free to use. You should not have to pay anything to get a good ad-free experience.

When I try to remove ads from Google Chrome, is it safe for my computer?

Yes, as long as you use well-known, reputable extensions from the official Chrome Web Store. Stick to the ones with millions of users and good reviews. These are generally safe and are checked for bad behavior.

How do I remove ads from Google Chrome when I’m watching YouTube?

A good ad blocker extension is usually the best way to handle this. They are pretty good at blocking the pre-roll ads that play before videos and the banner ads that show up on the page. It can be a cat-and-mouse game, so you’ll want to keep the extension updated.

Will doing this stop every single ad online?

It will stop most of them, probably over 95%. But some websites have found clever ways to get their ads through. Also, some ad blockers allow what they call “non-intrusive” ads to pass through, but you can typically turn that off in the settings.

Why do some websites ask me to turn off my ad blocker?

Because, as we said, many websites rely on ad revenue to operate. When you block their ads, they don’t make money from your visit. It’s up to you. If it’s a site you trust and want to support, you can usually disable your ad blocker for just that one site.

Key Takeaways

The easiest and most effective method is to install a browser extension like uBlock Origin or AdBlock Plus from the Chrome Web Store.
Google Chrome has its own built-in settings under “Privacy and security” that can block the most intrusive types of ads, but it won’t stop all of them.
For a more advanced solution, you could change your computer’s DNS settings to a provider that blocks ads network-wide.
Switching to a browser like Brave, which has ad blocking built-in, is another solid option if you’re open to it.
Blocking ads not only makes websites look cleaner but can also improve page load times and protect your privacy from trackers.

So there you have it. You don’t have to just sit there and accept a web that’s covered in blinking boxes and auto-playing videos. You have options, and most of them are really easy to use. Take ten minutes, get an extension or check your settings, and make your time online a whole lot more pleasant. You’ll be surprised at how much better it feels.