adblock safari install

• Services & Software

How to install Adblock Plus on Safari

Adblock Plus is finally available for Safari, albeit in beta form. You can install it in just a few clicks.

Ads are part of the Web, and something we are likely to never truly get away from. But that's not going to stop users from trying to rid browsing sessions from the (sometimes) annoying ads.

By installing plug-ins such as Adblock Plus (ABP), users are able to eliminate some of the more distracting ads on sites. Until recently Adblock Plus wasn't available for Apple's Safari browser. That changed earlier this month when Adblock Plus announced it was releasing a Safari extension in beta.

Installing the beta extension is simple and only takes a few seconds of your time.

First you'll need to visit this page on the Adblock Plus site. Not only will you find a link to download the extension here, but you'll also find a list of known issues and bugs. I recommend reading through the list to make sure you are aware of what behaviors to expect from the extension. Click on the big green button at the bottom of the page when you're ready to download the beta.

After the file is downloaded, double-click to install it. A warning prompt will show up asking you to confirm you do indeed want to install the extension. Click Install.

The extension will then be installed and an icon will be placed in your toolbar. Clicking on the icon will reveal stats for ads blocked, as well as link you to the settings section of Adblock Plus.

In the settings you'll find the option to whitelist some sites you don't mind displaying ads, as well as the ability to disable the whitelist Adblock Plus has already created. By charging some advertisers, ABP creates a list of advertisers that will still be visible. To disable this list, go to the first page of the Settings section and uncheck the box next to "Allow some non-intrusive advertising."

Going forward, any updates rolled out to the beta will be automatically applied, making the install process a one-time ordeal. If you find any bugs and want to report them, you can do so here

Services and Software Guides

• Best iPhone VPN
• Best Free VPN
• Best Android VPN
• Best Mac VPN
• Best Mobile VPN
• Best VPN for Firestick
• Best VPN for Windows
• Fastest VPN
• Best Cheap VPN
• Best Password Manager
• Best Antivirus
• Best Identity Theft Protection
• Best LastPass Alternative
• Best Live TV Streaming Service
• Best Streaming Service
• Best Free TV Streaming Service
• Best Music Streaming Services
• Best Web Hosting
• Best Minecraft Server Hosting
• Best Website Builder
• Best Dating Sites
• Best Language Learning Apps
• Best Weather App
• Best Stargazing Apps
• Best Cloud Storage
• Best Resume Writing Services
• New Coverage on Operating Systems
• Hostinger Coupon Codes
• HR&R Block Coupons
• ShutterStock Coupon Codes
• FedEx Office Coupons
• Coursera Coupons
• Autodesk Coupons
• Codeacademy Coupon Codes
• iolo Techologies Coupons
• Norton Coupon Codes

AdBlock for Safari

Blocks ads in Safari.

AdBlock for Safari overview

AdBlock has been downloaded more than 250 million times and is used by more than 65 million people worldwide. Now, AdBlock has created a powerful ad blocker that’s available as a Mac app.

AdBlock for Safari s a powerful and simple-to-use adblocker. It stops annoying pop-ups, removes autoplay video ads and blocks obnoxious audio ads. It also gives you control over which ads you see and what websites you support. You can tell AdBlock to stop working on certain websites, "whitelist" sites you want to support, and get easy access to a comprehensive library of customer support information to help you get the most out of your AdBlock app.

AdBlock helps websites load faster in Safari and protects you from malware lurking inside ads on malicious websites. It’s easy to install and free to use. Give it a try!

Key features:

• Block ads on the websites you visit, including Facebook, YouTube and millions of others
• Speed up your browsing by filtering out unwanted content with Apple’s powerful Content Blocking API
• Protect yourself from annoying and intrusive ads that distract you from the stories you are trying to read

What’s new in version 2.1.4

Updated on Mar 14 2024

• Bug fixes & improvements

Information

Developer’s website, app requirements.

• Apple Silicon
• macOS 11 or later

Write your thoughts in our old-fashioned comment

( 0 reviews of ).

User Ratings

Sourcing the best Mac apps and software for over a million users since 1997.

• Apple Watch
• Accessories
• Digital Magazine – Subscribe
• Digital Magazine – Info
• Smart Answers
• New iPad Air
• iPad mini 7
• Next Mac Pro
• Best Mac antivirus
• Best Mac VPN

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn't affect our editorial independence .

How to adblock Safari and Chrome on a Mac

Annoyed by online adverts and want to get rid of them? You’ve come to the right place. In this article we explain how to easily block adverts, popups, trackers and more on your Mac, using a variety of free and paid-for tools in the Safari and Chrome web browsers.

We have a separate guide if you specifically wish to block autoplay videos on Mac . And another for those who wish to block ads on iPhone or iPad .

Before we proceed, please bear in mind that the site whose adverts you’re blocking probably relies on revenue from advertising. That may not worry you, and we know that some of the online advertising out there really does cross a line in terms of intrusiveness. Just don’t complain if a site you love suddenly closes, or starts to charge visitors, because people refused to view its adverts.

Adblock in Safari

We’ll start with how to block adverts using Apple’s web browser, Safari. IN this article we have details of some third-party ad blockers that work with Safari but you don’t actually have to install a third party ad blocker to not see adverts in Safari – you can just set up Safari to block ads for you, here’s how:

Block ads in Safari using Reader mode

Strictly speaking, if you want to block adverts in Safari on the Mac you’ll need to install third-party ad-blocking software – and we’ll talk about that in a moment. But a far simpler approach is to use Safari’s built-in Reader mode, which is practically as good.

Reader isn’t quite an ad blocker, because it blocks a bunch of other visual distractions too: sidebars, mastheads, comments, social elements, videos. (It’s the same principle as the ‘Read later’ services we discuss at the end of this article.) You just get the text and the pictures, which can be a far calmer experience than some of the more visually ‘busy’ sites.

As a general rule, you can activate Reader mode at any time, although it’s not really possible on Home pages of sites that feature multiple stories and links.

There are a few different ways to enable the Reader mode. Here’s how to enable Reader mode in Safari: 

• Go to the menu bar at the top of the screen and select View > Show Reader
• Hit Shift-Command-R.
• Click the Reader button (the one with three and a half horizontal lines) next to the URL bar.

This will then strip the page down to its bare bones, leaving only the content behind.

From Safari 11 onwards it’s been possible to be more sophisticated and tell the browser to always open article pages from particular domains in Reader mode – or even to use Reader by default all the time.

Here’s how to set reader mode up for certain websites:

When you’re on a site you want to give this treatment, go to Safari > Settings for This Website (or you can right-click the URL box and choose Settings for This Website).

You can also remove domains from, and add them to, the Reader list in Safari’s Preferences page. Click on Safari > Preferences.

Click on the Websites pane.

Select Reader in the left-hand column.

You’ll see a list of all the websites currently open and any you have configured to use Reader. Select the website you want to default to Reader mode and click the menu to the right of it and select On (or Off if you don’t want it to use Reader mode).

How to use Reader mode all the time on Safari

You can actually set Reader mode to be the default option on any website that supports it! Here’s how:

• As above go to Safari > Preferences and choose Reader.
• At the bottom of this page you’ll see the option: ‘When visiting other websites’. Set this to On and Reader will be activated by default on all compatible web pages.

Note that if you have a website that is already defaulting to Off then you won’t see it in Reader mode.

How to block popup adverts in Safari

If popup ads are driving you mad then you can quickly put a stop to them. Since Safari 11 it’s been possible to block pop-up windows via Safari Preferences.

In Safari 12 and 13 here’s what you need to do:

• Go to Preferences.
• Select the Websites tab.
• Click on the Pop-up Windows option in the left-hand column.
• Now you can either make a rule for the website you’re currently visiting by clicking on the drop down menu to the right of its name, or go to the bottom of the window and click on the drop-down menu next to ‘When visiting other websites’.
• Then select either Block and Notify, Block, or Allow.

Best ad blocker for Safari

Reader mode is a great solution, but if you want to block the adverts but leave the rest of the visual elements intact, you need to install a third-party ad blocker. There are lots of them out there, plenty of which are free, but tread carefully.

Our top recommendation is be the donation-ware Safari extension AdBlock, which deals with graphical ads, text ads and even ads in YouTube videos.

AdBlock also lets you whitelist pages on sites whose adverts you do want to see, to support them or because the ads may be useful. To whitelist the whole site you’ll need to upgrade to the AdBlock Gold level that costs £4.99/$4.99.

You can download AdBlock here .

If you’re looking for something a little more advanced, we recommend AdGuard . It comes in two forms: a free-to-use Safari extension and a £29/$30 app with a 14-day free trial. While the Safari extension is decent and acts in a similar way to AdBlock, the desktop app provides advanced features across macOS, not dependent on a particular browser.

As well as blocking ads and pop-ups from websites, you’re able to block tracking from most online sources and even be warned of malicious websites that you might stumble across online. It provides granular control over your ad blocking settings, allowing you to whitelist sites and self-promoting ads, and is incredibly simple to use.

You can download AdGuard here .

Best ad tracker blockers

Another pest online: trackers that follow your movements around the web to serve up ads. This is why you’ll be looking at a product on one site, then an ad for it magically appears when you visit another site.

To stop this intrusive (and frankly creepy) behaviour follow these steps:

Open up Safari and go to Preferences > Privacy and enable the ‘Prevent cross-site tracking’ option.

Block ads in Chrome on the Mac

Google’s Chrome browser is a popular alternative for Mac users, and even though Google is a full paid-up member of the advertising fan club, it allows plenty of scope for ad-blocking.

How to block Popups in Chrome

Let’s start by disabling popups, something which can be done from Chrome’s own settings – no need to install any extensions.

• In Chrome select Chrome > Preferences.
• Scroll down and click Advanced.
• Below the heading ‘Privacy and security’, click the option Content settings.

Best Chrome ad blockers on the Mac

As with Safari, Chrome won’t actually block adverts for you – and there isn’t an easily accessed equivalent of Reader mode. (Google has publicly discussed something similar called Distill Mode, but there’s no straightforward way for Mac users to turn this on without recourse to extensions.)

Many well known ad blockers are browser-agnostic, fortunately. The two suggested above – AdBlock and AdGuard – are both able to deal with adverts in Chrome.

‘Read later’ services

If you decide you don’t want to install an ad blocker, an alternative solution is to use a read-later service. These are simple systems that let you easily save an article in a form that strips out the adverts; you can then read if later (or right away, for that matter) without being troubled by all the visual tomfoolery.

Our favourite such service is Pocket . Sign up to the service and you’ll be able to create a ‘Read later’ button as a bookmark in Safari, Chrome or whichever other browser you like.

Open an article, click the button and it’ll save to your account. You can then read the ad-free version online (from any machine) or, best of all in our experience, offline using the iPhone app .

Author: David Price , Editor

David has loved the iPhone since covering the original 2007 launch; later his obsession expanded to include iPad and Apple Watch. He offers advice to owners (and prospective owners) of these devices.

Recent stories by David Price:

• WWDC 2024: Everything you need to know
• How to tell if someone’s iPhone is on Do Not Disturb
• How to type a hashtag (#) on Mac

• Get One: Tornado Alert Apps
• The Best Tech Gifts Under $100

How to Block Ads in Safari on the iPhone

There are some built-in tools, but you'll likely need a content blocker plug-in

• Ithaca College

In This Article

Jump to a Section

• Block Ads on iPhone
• Install Content Blocking Apps
• Choose an Ad-Blocking Plug-In
• Block Pop-Ups

Why You Should Block Ads

• Why You Shouldn't Block Ads

What to Know

• Download and set up an ad blocker app. Then, on iPhone: Settings > Safari > Content Blockers ( on ).
• Suggested ad blockers: 1Blocker, Crystal Adblock, Norton Ad Blocker, Purify.
• Natively block Safari pop-ups on iPhone: Settings > Safari > Block Pop-ups ( on ).

This article explains how to use content blockers to block ads in Safari on iPhones with iOS 9 or higher.

Your phone must have iOS 9 or higher to use content blockers. Update the iPhone OS to ensure it has the most up-to-date version with current security patches.

How to Block Ads on iPhone With Safari

Using an ad blocker for your iPhone means your browser won't download ads. This usually means faster page loads, a longer-lasting battery, and less wireless data usage. If you don't want to see pop-up ads, there is a way to block these ads. Here's how to do so using the Safari web browser for iPhone.

Content blockers are apps that add new features that your default web browser doesn't have. These are like third-party keyboards —separate apps that work inside other apps that support them. This means that to block ads, you need to install at least one of these apps.

Most iPhone content blockers work the same way. When you go to a website, the app checks a list of ad services and servers. If it finds these on the site you're visiting, the app blocks the website from loading those ads on the page. Some apps take a comprehensive approach by blocking the ads and tracking the cookies used by advertisers based on those cookies' URLs .

How to Install Content Blocking Apps

To block ads with Safari content blocker apps, install the app, and then enable it from the iPhone Settings app.

Go to the App Store and download a content-blocking app to your iPhone. The example here is Norton Ad Blocker, but all ad-blocking apps work similarly. See the list below for other suggested apps.

Open the ad blocker app and follow the instructions to set it up. Every app is different, but each offers instructions to turn on the ad-blocking abilities.

On the iPhone home screen, open the Settings app.

Select Safari > Content Blockers .

Move the toggle switch next to the ad-blocker app you installed to On (green).

Choose an Ad-Blocking Plug-In for Safari

There is a sizable market for ad-blocking Safari plug-ins. The following options can get you started:

• 1Blocker : Free, with in-app purchases. In addition to more than 50,000 built-in blocker rules, this app supports custom rules to block sites and cookies and to hide other elements.
• Crystal Adblock : At $0.99, the developer claims that this ad blocker loads pages four times faster and uses 50 percent less data. This app also lets you opt to view ads on some sites to support those sites.
• Norton Ad Blocker : This free ad-blocking app from the company behind the popular and long-running antivirus software also lets you add exceptions.
• Purify : Grab this content blocker for $1.99 to block ads and tracking software. It includes a list (typically called a whitelist) to allow you to see ads on some sites if you like. According to the developer, after blocking Safari ads with this app, you can expect a fourfold increase in page load speeds and your web browsing data usage to be cut in half.

How to Block Pop-Ups on the iPhone Using Built-In Tools

Ad-blocking apps can block all kinds of ads and trackers used by advertisers. If you only want to block intrusive pop-ups, you don't need to download an app because pop-up blocking is a built-in feature in Safari. Here's what you need to do:

On the iPhone home screen, select Settings > Safari .

Toggle the Block Pop-ups switch to On (green), if it isn't already.

You can enable the Safari pop-up blocker on your computer, too.

The main benefit of blocking ads is that you don't see advertising. However, there are other key benefits to using these anti-advertisement apps:

• Websites load faster : Ads are extra elements on the page that have to load, and ads often stream video or play animations. It takes time for the page to fully download and often causes other things like non-ad images and videos to take longer to display.
• You'll be more secure : Many ads are vectors for malware. Infected ads hit a network, even a legitimate one, to disrupt your device.
• You use less data : When you no longer see ads, you won't use your monthly data allowances to load ads. Some ad-blocking apps claim to save you lots of data. While their numbers may be inflated, you'll reduce your data usage to some degree because ad images and videos don't download to your phone.
• A longer-lasting battery : Downloading ads, just like downloading anything in Safari, requires energy. One way to have a longer-lasting battery is to stop downloading so much data, which is what happens when you use an ad blocker.

Why You Shouldn't Block Ads

One downside you might encounter when you block ads on your iPhone is that some websites don't load properly. Some sites detect whether their ads load, and if ads don't load, you can't use the site until you unblock their ads.

Almost every site on the internet makes the majority of its money by showing advertising to its readers. If the ads are blocked, the site doesn't get paid. The money made from advertising pays writers and editors, funds server and bandwidth costs, buys equipment, pays for photography and travel, and more. Without that income, it's possible that a site you visit every day could go out of business. Consider supporting your favorite sites by whitelisting them, so ads on those sites still display.

Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day

• How to Stop Ads When Playing Games on iPhone
• How to Block Websites on the iPhone
• How to Block Ads on Your iPad
• The 14 Best Plugins (Extensions) for Chrome in 2024
• How to Block YouTube Ads on Android
• How to Fix a YouTube Black Screen
• How to Block Websites on Your Android Phone or Tablet
• What Is Safari?
• How to Turn Off AdBlock on Mac
• The 5 Best Free Sports Streaming Sites of 2024
• How to Enable the Safari Pop-up Blocker
• How to Limit Ad Tracking on iPhone and iPad
• 10 Best Free Firewall Programs
• The 6 Best Antivirus Apps for iPhones in 2024
• 9 Best Safari Extensions of 2024
• How to Block Pop-Up Ads in Your Web Browser

Adblock Plus for Safari ABP 4+

Block bad, disruptive ads.

• 4.4 • 4.5K Ratings

Screenshots

Description.

The easy way to block ads on your Mac. Annoying ads like pop-ups, video ads, banners and ads disguised as content are things of the past thanks to Adblock Plus (ABP)! Safari users enjoy a peaceful and delightful web experience when using Adblock Plus, the world’s number 1 ad blocker. No disruptive ads. No tracking. No nasty viruses. REPUTABLE Adblock Plus has been the most downloaded, free ad blocker on the market since 2006. Its unique Acceptable Ads feature, turned on by default, shows occasional ads that aren’t disruptive in order to help support great content creators. You can choose to block these ads by simply turning off the Acceptable Ads feature in the ABP settings. SAFE AND PRIVATE Browse more safely and securely. CONSCIOUS BROWSING Ads can cause pages to load slower, thus eating up your data plan and consuming your battery. By using Adblock Plus for Safari you: - Save data - Save battery life Download Adblock Plus for Safari on macOS - it’s FREE! By downloading and installing the application, you agree to our Terms of Use. https://adblockplus.org/terms ------ About the people behind Adblock Plus for Safari on macOS We are a globally distributed, yet tight-knit group of developers, designers, writers, researchers, and testers. By supporting a fair and profitable Internet, we remain optimistic about the future of the web. Our mission is to create a sustainable product that makes your everyday life a little easier. ------ Enjoying the app? Please leave us a 5-star review! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adblockplus Twitter: https://twitter.com/adblockplus YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/AdblockPlusOfficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adblockplus

Version 2.2.14

We've listened to your feedback and the team has been spending a lot of time on optimising our filter lists to bring you the best content blocking experience possible! **Please open ABP after updating so that the new filter lists are immediately synced!** Questions or feedback? Send us a message at [email protected]. Like the app? Write a review :)

Ratings and Reviews

4.5K Ratings

Good / Neccesary Safari Extension

I primarily use Firefox on my MacBook Pro laptop - however, there are times for which an application will either open Safari or I need to use it, so it's good that this extension exists for Safari and I am glad at how frequently it is updated, but ABP alone isn't enough to get me to use Safari full time when I cannot add other things that ABP is apparently not able to add to a Safari extension; however, recommended.

it only worked a while

It seems the spam club now has a way around adblock. The addvertisers now can recogize ad block is installed and deny access th their content. Before, I did not mind a "few" ads, and I sometimes visited some advertiser's sites. Now, it seems the sites I am interested in want to sell me membership to their sites for a price more than I am paying an internet supplier. If I subscribed to the sites I am in terested in my total subscription cost is more money than I take in, leaving nothing for food. Where quanties of poor ads used to slow down my computer to a crawll, now I can not see anything. My rerason to try adblock was that I was spendingmuch more time waiting for ads to load and then dismissing them, than I was in reading content.

Ads no more

I am astounded because I have tried several other ad blocking sites and found them to be adequate but not free from ads. This is another level. I am free from constant pop-up ads which had caused me to turn off my computer and not touch it for a week or two. Now, I can surf to my hearts content reaching exactly what I want with no interference. There are several web pages that will block me due to it, but they are few and you can always turn it off for a time.

App Privacy

The developer, Eyeo GmbH , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Not Collected

The developer does not collect any data from this app.

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Traditional Chinese

• Developer Website
• App Support
• Privacy Policy

More By This Developer

Adblock Plus for Safari (ABP)

Crystal Adblock – Block unwanted ads!

How To Use Adblock On Safari

• Software & Applications
• Browsers & Extensions

Introduction

Are you tired of being bombarded with intrusive ads while browsing the web on Safari? If so, you're not alone. The good news is that there's a solution to this common frustration: Adblock. This powerful browser extension is designed to enhance your browsing experience by effectively blocking unwanted advertisements, pop-ups, and other forms of online clutter.

Adblock is a game-changer for Safari users who seek a cleaner, more streamlined online experience. By preventing disruptive ads from cluttering your screen, Adblock allows you to focus on the content that matters most to you. Whether you're conducting research, reading articles, or simply enjoying your favorite websites, Adblock empowers you to do so without the distraction of irrelevant and often obtrusive advertisements.

In addition to decluttering your browsing experience, Adblock also contributes to a faster and more efficient web navigation. By eliminating resource-heavy ads, Adblock helps to optimize page loading times, allowing you to access the content you desire with greater speed and ease. This not only saves you time but also conserves your device's resources, leading to a smoother and more enjoyable browsing experience overall.

Furthermore, Adblock plays a crucial role in safeguarding your online security and privacy. By blocking potentially malicious ads and pop-ups, Adblock reduces the risk of inadvertently clicking on harmful content that could compromise your device or personal information. This added layer of protection gives you peace of mind as you explore the vast landscape of the internet.

In the following sections, we'll delve into the process of installing Adblock on Safari, configuring its settings to suit your preferences, whitelisting specific websites, and managing filters to further customize your ad-blocking experience. With Adblock at your disposal, you can take control of your online environment and enjoy a more seamless, secure, and ad-free browsing experience on Safari.

Installing Adblock on Safari

Installing Adblock on Safari is a straightforward process that empowers you to take control of your browsing experience by effectively blocking unwanted ads. Follow these simple steps to equip your Safari browser with this powerful ad-blocking extension:

Open Safari Extension Gallery : Begin by launching your Safari browser and navigating to the Safari Extension Gallery. This can be accessed by clicking on the "Safari" menu at the top-left corner of your screen and selecting "Safari Extensions."

Search for Adblock : Once you're in the Safari Extension Gallery, use the search bar to look for "Adblock." This will display the Adblock extension, allowing you to proceed with the installation process.

Install Adblock : Click on the Adblock extension to view its details and description. After reviewing the information, click the "Install Now" button to initiate the installation process. Safari will prompt you to confirm the installation, so go ahead and click "Install" to proceed.

Complete Installation : Once the installation is complete, you'll receive a notification confirming that Adblock has been successfully added to your Safari browser. At this point, the Adblock icon should appear in your browser's toolbar, indicating that the extension is now active and ready to enhance your browsing experience.

Restart Safari (if necessary) : In some cases, Safari may require a restart for the Adblock extension to become fully functional. If prompted to do so, simply close and reopen your Safari browser to ensure that Adblock is properly integrated and ready to block unwanted ads.

By following these steps, you can seamlessly integrate Adblock into your Safari browser, effectively shielding yourself from the disruptive and often intrusive nature of online advertisements. With Adblock in place, you can look forward to a cleaner, more streamlined browsing experience that prioritizes the content you value most, while minimizing distractions and optimizing page loading times.

Once Adblock is successfully installed, you can proceed to configure its settings, whitelist specific websites, and manage filters to further customize your ad-blocking experience according to your preferences. With Adblock as your ally, you can navigate the web with greater ease, speed, and peace of mind, knowing that unwanted ads are effectively kept at bay.

Configuring Adblock settings

Configuring Adblock settings allows you to tailor the ad-blocking experience to align with your browsing preferences. Once Adblock is successfully installed on your Safari browser, you can customize its settings to optimize your online experience. Here's a detailed guide on how to configure Adblock settings to suit your needs:

Accessing Adblock Settings

To begin configuring Adblock settings, start by clicking on the Adblock icon located in the Safari toolbar. This will open the Adblock menu, providing access to various configuration options and preferences. Alternatively, you can access Adblock settings by navigating to the Safari Extensions preferences and selecting Adblock from the list of installed extensions.

General Settings

Within the Adblock settings menu, you'll find a range of options to customize the ad-blocking experience. One of the key settings to consider is the ability to enable or disable Adblock on specific websites. This feature allows you to whitelist or blacklist individual websites, granting you control over where ad-blocking is applied. Additionally, you can explore options to customize the appearance and behavior of the Adblock icon in the Safari toolbar, ensuring that it aligns with your preferred browsing environment.

Filter Lists

Adblock offers filter lists that serve as a foundation for blocking ads across the web. These lists are regularly updated to enhance ad-blocking efficiency and accuracy. In the settings menu, you can manage these filter lists, enabling you to subscribe to additional lists or disable existing ones based on your specific requirements. By fine-tuning the filter lists, you can optimize Adblock's ad-blocking capabilities to better align with your browsing habits and preferences.

Advanced Settings

For users seeking a more advanced level of customization, Adblock provides access to additional settings that allow for a deeper level of control. These advanced settings may include options to configure specific ad-blocking rules, customize element hiding, or adjust the level of ad-blocking strictness. By delving into these advanced settings, you can tailor Adblock to deliver a highly personalized ad-blocking experience that aligns with your unique browsing needs.

Automatic Updates

Adblock ensures that its filter lists and core functionality remain up to date by offering automatic updates. Within the settings menu, you can verify that automatic updates are enabled, ensuring that Adblock consistently delivers optimal ad-blocking performance without requiring manual intervention.

By navigating through the Adblock settings and customizing them to your preferences, you can harness the full potential of this powerful ad-blocking extension. Whether you're looking to fine-tune the ad-blocking experience, manage filter lists, or explore advanced customization options, Adblock's settings empower you to create a browsing environment that aligns with your individual preferences and priorities.

Whitelisting websites

Whitelisting websites is a valuable feature offered by Adblock, allowing users to selectively exempt specific websites from ad-blocking. This functionality is particularly beneficial for individuals who wish to support their favorite content creators or ensure a seamless browsing experience on trusted websites. By whitelisting a website, users can ensure that the platform's ads are displayed, thereby contributing to the site's revenue while enjoying uninterrupted access to its content.

To whitelist a website on Adblock for Safari , users can follow these simple steps:

Access Adblock Settings : Begin by clicking on the Adblock icon in the Safari toolbar to access the Adblock menu. From there, navigate to the settings or preferences section, where you'll find the option to manage whitelisted websites.

Add the Website to the Whitelist : Within the Adblock settings, locate the section dedicated to whitelisting websites. Here, users can input the URL of the website they wish to whitelist and save the changes. This action effectively exempts the specified website from ad-blocking, allowing ads to be displayed when visiting the whitelisted domain.

Verify Whitelisted Websites : After adding a website to the whitelist, it's essential to verify that the changes have been successfully applied. Users can do this by visiting the whitelisted website and confirming that ads are being displayed as intended, indicating that the whitelisting process was successful.

By whitelisting trusted websites, users can actively support the platforms they value while ensuring a seamless and uninterrupted browsing experience. This feature empowers users to strike a balance between ad-blocking and supporting the content creators and websites they appreciate, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and user-friendly online ecosystem.

Whitelisting websites on Adblock for Safari is a user-friendly and effective way to personalize the ad-blocking experience, allowing users to prioritize their favorite websites while still benefiting from an ad-free environment on other platforms. This level of control and customization underscores Adblock's commitment to empowering users to tailor their browsing experience according to their individual preferences and priorities.

Managing Adblock filters

Managing Adblock filters is a pivotal aspect of optimizing the ad-blocking experience to align with individual preferences and browsing habits. Adblock offers users the ability to fine-tune and customize the filters that dictate which ads are blocked across the web. By effectively managing Adblock filters, users can enhance the precision and efficiency of ad-blocking while ensuring a seamless and tailored browsing experience.

Accessing Filter Settings

To begin managing Adblock filters, users can access the filter settings within the Adblock extension menu. This interface provides a comprehensive overview of the active filter lists and allows users to make adjustments based on their specific requirements.

Subscribing to Additional Filter Lists

Adblock offers a range of filter lists that serve as the foundation for ad-blocking functionality. Users have the option to subscribe to additional filter lists, which can further enhance the accuracy and coverage of ad-blocking across various websites. By subscribing to specialized filter lists, users can target specific types of ads or improve ad-blocking performance on niche websites, ensuring a more comprehensive ad-free browsing experience.

Disabling or Enabling Filter Lists

In addition to subscribing to new filter lists, users can also disable or enable existing filter lists based on their preferences. This level of control allows users to tailor the ad-blocking experience to suit their individual browsing habits and priorities. For example, users may choose to disable certain filter lists on websites where they prefer to support ad revenue, while maintaining robust ad-blocking on other platforms.

Customizing Filter Rules

Adblock provides advanced users with the option to customize filter rules, offering a deeper level of control over the ad-blocking process. By creating and modifying filter rules, users can target specific ad elements or refine the ad-blocking criteria to better align with their preferences. This level of customization empowers users to fine-tune the ad-blocking experience according to their unique browsing needs.

Verifying Filter Updates

Regular updates to filter lists are essential for maintaining optimal ad-blocking performance. Adblock ensures that users are equipped with the latest filter list updates to enhance ad-blocking accuracy and coverage. By verifying that filter lists are regularly updated, users can rest assured that Adblock is consistently delivering an effective and up-to-date ad-blocking solution.

By actively managing Adblock filters, users can personalize the ad-blocking experience to suit their individual preferences, support their favorite websites, and ensure a seamless and uninterrupted browsing experience. This level of control and customization underscores Adblock's commitment to empowering users to tailor their browsing environment according to their unique needs and priorities.

In conclusion, integrating Adblock into your Safari browsing experience can significantly enhance the way you interact with the web. By effectively blocking intrusive ads, pop-ups, and other forms of online clutter, Adblock empowers you to focus on the content that matters most to you. The seamless installation process and user-friendly interface make it accessible to users of all levels of technical expertise.

Adblock not only declutters your browsing experience but also contributes to a faster and more efficient web navigation. By eliminating resource-heavy ads, Adblock optimizes page loading times, allowing you to access the content you desire with greater speed and ease. This not only saves you time but also conserves your device's resources, leading to a smoother and more enjoyable browsing experience overall.

The ability to configure Adblock settings, whitelist specific websites, and manage filters further enhances the level of control and customization available to users. Whether you're looking to fine-tune the ad-blocking experience, support your favorite websites, or tailor the ad-blocking criteria to align with your unique browsing habits, Adblock offers the flexibility and functionality to accommodate your needs.

In essence, Adblock for Safari empowers you to take control of your online environment, ensuring a more seamless, secure, and ad-free browsing experience. By leveraging the capabilities of Adblock, you can navigate the web with greater ease, speed, and peace of mind, knowing that unwanted ads are effectively kept at bay. With its user-centric approach and powerful ad-blocking capabilities, Adblock stands as a valuable asset for Safari users seeking to elevate their browsing experience.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Crowdfunding
• Cryptocurrency
• Digital Banking
• Digital Payments
• Investments
• Console Gaming
• Mobile Gaming
• VR/AR Gaming
• Gadget Usage
• Gaming Tips
• Online Safety
• Software Tutorials
• Tech Setup & Troubleshooting
• Buyer’s Guides
• Comparative Analysis
• Gadget Reviews
• Service Reviews
• Software Reviews
• Mobile Devices
• PCs & Laptops
• Smart Home Gadgets
• Content Creation Tools
• Digital Photography
• Video & Music Streaming
• Online Security
• Online Services
• Web Hosting
• WiFi & Ethernet
• Browsers & Extensions
• Communication Platforms
• Operating Systems
• Productivity Tools
• AI & Machine Learning
• Cybersecurity
• Emerging Tech
• IoT & Smart Devices
• Virtual & Augmented Reality
• Latest News
• AI Developments
• Fintech Updates
• Gaming News
• New Product Launches

• Fintechs and Traditional Banks Navigating the Future of Financial Services
• AI Writing How Its Changing the Way We Create Content

Related Post

How to find the best midjourney alternative in 2024: a guide to ai anime generators, unleashing young geniuses: how lingokids makes learning a blast, 10 best ai math solvers for instant homework solutions, 10 best ai homework helper tools to get instant homework help, 10 best ai humanizers to humanize ai text with ease, sla network: benefits, advantages, satisfaction of both parties to the contract, related posts.

How To Get Adblock For Safari

How To Get Adblock On Safari

How To Block YouTube Ads On Safari

How To Add Adblock To Safari On IPhone

How To Use Adblock In Incognito Mode

How To Block YouTube Ads On Safari Mac

How To Get Adblock On Firefox

How To Completely Erase Browser History

Recent stories.

Fintechs and Traditional Banks: Navigating the Future of Financial Services

AI Writing: How It’s Changing the Way We Create Content

How to Know When it’s the Right Time to Buy Bitcoin

How to Sell Counter-Strike 2 Skins Instantly? A Comprehensive Guide

10 Proven Ways For Online Gamers To Avoid Cyber Attacks And Scams

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

The best ad blockers in 2024

Say goodbye to intrusive online advertising with the best ad blockers

Best in-browser ad blockers

Best ad-blocking apps, best ad-blocking mobile apps, other privacy-focused extensions and apps.

The best ad blockers are crucial to survive on the modern internet. Not matter where you go, you're at risk of being harassed by pop-ups, tracker cookies, malvertising and countless other digital nasties that seem hell-bent on ruining your online experience. Even if all your browsing is above board, you're still at risk.

Thankfully there's no shortage of apps and browser extensions that can block ads and keep you safer when you're online. Combined with the best antivirus software and the best VPNs , a good ad-blocker gives you a perfect arsenal of tools to offer as much protection as possible. Even the FBI recommends using an ad-blocker for protection.

The only thing you need to figure out is which ad-blocker is right for you. There are so many to choose from, and whether you are willing to live with the downsides. Most free sites rely on advertising revenue to survive, including Tom's Guide. But if you're happy with the trade-off, we've got a thorough list of the best ad blockers and privacy tools — with options for every browser and platform.

The best ad blockers you can get today

1. adblock plus (chrome, edge, firefox, opera, safari, android, ios).

AdBlock Plus (ABP) is among the most popular ad blockers, with extensions available for Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Edge and Opera. ABP features a quick setup, loading preset filter lists that allow users to quickly block most ads, as well as the option to filter malware and social media buttons. 

Savvy users can chose additional block lists as well as set custom filters or whitelist their favorite sites to keep their ad revenue in the black. AdBlock Plus allows what it calls "non-intrusive advertising" through filters; that may irk some users, though this feature can be disabled in settings. 

On Android, the AdBlock Browser provides a Firefox-based browser that blocks incoming advertising, while on iOS, the AdBlock Plus app integrates with the content blocker system to seamlessly block advertising on Safari with minimal setup.

Download AdBlock Plus: Firefox , Chrome , Safari , Opera , Edge

2. AdBlock (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)

AdBlock (no relation to AdBlock Plus) is the other best ad-blocking browser extension of note, available for users of Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Safari. AdBlock uses a series of filter lists to automatically block ad content coming from known ad servers and providers. Users can stick with the default block lists, subscribe to additional ones, or even create their own, as well as whitelist their favorite websites. 

As one of the most downloaded Chrome and Safari extensions, AdBlock has the trust of many users worldwide.

Download AdBlock: Chrome , Firefox , Safari , Edge

3. uBlock Origin (Chrome, Firefox)

Ublock Origin is a browser-based ad blocker that focuses on simple, efficient blocking with a low resource overhead. The extension comes loaded with a number of filter lists for known advertising and malware sources, with extra filter lists available and the option to read and create your own custom filters from hosts files.

Download Ublock Origin: Chrome , Firefox

4. Poper Blocker (Chrome)

Rather than be an all-in one blocking solution, Poper Blocker (aka Pop Up Blocker For Chrome), is designed to complement other adblockers. 

In this case, Poper Blocker focuses on blocking pop-ups, pop-unders, overlays, timed and scroll pop-ups, and other varieties that might slip past other ad-blocking extensions. Small notifications tell you when pop-ups are blocked. You also can view your blocking stats, but otherwise, you can generally just keep Poper Blocker running in the background with minimal impact alongside other adblocker extensions.

Download Poper Blocker: Chrome

5. Stands Fair AdBlocker (Chrome)

For a fast and light ad-blocking plugin, Chrome users can turn to Stands Fair AdBlocker. The extension does precisely what it promises, blocking ads and pop-ups from cluttering up your browser view while also preventing any tracking from going on. 

Stand's Fair AdBlocker gives you control over the type of ads you can block, specifying everything from autoplay video ads, YouTube ads, expanding ads and more. It can even block Facebook ads if you want.

The "Fair" part of AdBlocker comes into play by giving you the ability to allow certain types of ads or even whitelist ad-supported websites you don't want to shortchange of badly needed revenue. This is one ad blocker that doesn't take a scorched earth approach to its stated purpose.

Download Stands Fair AdBlocker: Chrome

6. Ghostery (Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Edge)

Like the other extensions on our list of the best ad blockers, Ghostery can remove ads from webpages, so you can focus on content and browse more efficiently. But the real value in Ghostery lies in its privacy protection features. You can use Ghostery to view trackers, which lets you see who's trying to collect data on you. With Ghostery, you can also stop that tracking from taking place. If you really want to safeguard your privacy, you can turn to Ghostery's Enhanced Anti Tracking to anonymize your data.

Ghostery's a free download that offers basic web protection. More advanced protection starts at $4.99 a month and the $11.99 monthly tier comes with a built-in VPN. There are also versions of Ghostery that work with Android and iOS devices.

Download Ghostery: Chrome , Firefox , Opera , Safari , Edge

7. Adblocker for YouTube (Chrome, Firefox)

YouTube has gotten more aggressive with ads, so the makers of ad-blocking extensions have followed suit. Adblocker for YouTube is a Chrome extension that promises to automatically block YouTube ads, whether we're talking about the pre-roll ad appearing before your video or any text and banner ads that appear on the video itself.

If you prefer Firefox to Chrome, there's also an AdBlocker for YouTube extension that works on that browser. Same name, different developer apparently, but the functionality of stripping out video and display ads remains. This version works on Android devices too.

Download Adblocker for YouTube: Chrome , Firefox

1. AdGuard (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS)

Uses looking for a more robust experience can try out the subscription-based AdGuard, which provides desktop and mobile options to reduce the ads you see when surfing online. 

AdGuard on Windows and Mac covers popular browsers, with highly configurable options for ads, content, and tracker blocking, as well as a parental controls module for restricting adult content. AdGuard for Android is a no-root ad-blocker that blocks advertising on apps and games, though you’ll have to install it from AdGuard’s site instead of through Google Play. AdGuard for iOS works with Safari to effectively filter ads on the default browser.

Download AdGuard: Windows , Mac , Android , iOS

2. AdLock ($33 per year)

AdLock avoids the browser-based route, instead opting to run as a separate program to be able to block not only browser-based ads, but also advertising in other programs like Skype or games. 

The app runs in the background, using filters to block ads, popups, and autoplaying videos, speeding up loading times and applying Safe Browsing features to automatically block sites that are known to be unsafe. 

For obvious reasons, the mobile version is unavailable on the Google Play Store, so you'll need to sideload the app if you want to get AdLock into your Android device. iOS users can download AdLock directly from Apple's App Store.

Download AdLock: Windows , Chrome ,  Android , Mac , iOS

3. Wipr (macOS, iOS; $1.99)

If you’re a Safari fan, Wipr may be the best ad blocker for both your Mac and iPhone. The app is available for both iOS and macOS — costing $1.99 from either Apple App Store — and it promises to work with Safari as well as apps that use Safari for displaying web pages.

You’ll find a full array of features with Wipr, which not only blocks apps and trackers, but cryptocurrency miners, EU cookie and GDPR notices and anything else that gets in your way of surfing the web. Its blocklist gets updated twice a week, and there’s little configuration; the idea is that you load Wipr and forget that it’s there while it does its job in the background.

With Wipr, pages should load faster in Safari, which will be particularly welcome if you’re surfing from an iPhone, where ads and trackers can bog down your browser’s speed.

Download Wipr: macOS , iOS

1. 1Blocker (iOS)

1Blocker was one of the first really good ad blockers on iOS when Apple opened up that functionality on iPhones and iPads; the apps has since been optimized for Safari. 

The app is designed to make browsing faster and more secure by blocking ads, popups, trackers and other online cruft. Rather than blocking content of a downloaded page, 1Blocker works with Safari's content blocker API to tell the browser what to block in advance, saving time and resources. 

1Blocker features more than 115,000 blocker rules, custom regional adblocking settings, and easy-to-use custom rules settings. The app is a free download, with premium features available as in-app purchases.

Download 1Blocker: iOS

2. Firefox Focus (Android, iOS)

Firefox Focus is another addition to Mozilla's family of browsers. This one's a privacy-oriented version of Firefox that bakes in ad-blocking and anti-tracking into a light and functional package. Firefox Focus blocks ads and speeds up browsing, while also working in privacy-friendly features like automatic history and cookie clearing. 

Users can selectively block ads, analytics, content and social trackers with easy toggles, turn on a "stealth" mode, and set a default search engine.

Our look at the best Android browsers has more on the various flavors of Firefox.

Download Firefox Focus: Android , iOS

3. AdClear (Android, iOS)

AdClear — or AdClear Plus if you're searching for the iOS version — offers the kind of mobile ad blocking in browsers that similar apps provide. But AdClear takes it one step farther by also blocking ads in apps. 

AdClear achieves this through a DNS changer feature that routes traffic through a VPN. AdClear doesn't catch everything in all apps, and in our experience, some apps ran a little slower. But this free download can put a stop to ads interrupting what you're trying to do whether in an app or a browser.

Download AdClear: Android , iOS

1. Decentraleyes (Chrome, Firefox)

Some times, blocking ads can also prevent websites fromn pulling needed resoruces and libraries from third-party sources, breaking web pages in the process. Decentraleyes tries to stop that from happening by acting as a local content delivery network emulator to serve up the files that websites need. By doing so, this extension can stop websites from sending out requests to the likes of Google Hosted Libraries.

Think of Decentraleyes as a complement to ad blockers. In fact, the extension specifically says it can work with uBlock Origin and AdBlock Plus, both of which we recommend up above.

Download Decentraleyes: Chrome , Firefox

2. Opera (Desktop, Android, iOS)

The Opera browser bakes in ad-blocking features into the browser without the need for an extra add-on, while also offering privacy-friendly tools such as an unlimited, built-in VPN service, incognito mode, fraud and malware warnings for suspicious links and pages, and more. In addition, you can further customize Opera's capabilities with a wide array of extensions. 

Mobile users need not fret, as the Android version comes with just about everything the desktop version has but built for touch-screen interfaces. On iOS, the mobile version of Opera is listed in Apple's App Store as Opera Touch. (Incidentally, we've got a guide on how you can use Opera to block ads on the iPhone .)

Download Opera: Mac or Windows , Android , iOS

3. Privacy Badger (Chrome, Firefox, Opera)

The Electronic Frontier Foundation's Privacy Badger browser extension was born from the EFF's concerns about the business models of some privacy tools and ad blockers. 

Privacy Badger functions similarly to extensions like AdBlock Plus (on which it was based), observing the various tracking tools that advertisers and other third parties might use to track your online activities and selectively blocking them from executing. Built-in learning algorithms adapt to the sites you visit and take any new tracking tools discovered into account. 

While not explicitly an ad blocker, Privacy Badger does also block some advertising, depending on how aggressively the ads track you across websites.

Download Privacy Badger: Chrome , Firefox , Opera

4. Tor Browser (Desktop, Android)

The Tor network helps anonymize your internet activity by bouncing the data you send and receive through a distributed anonymous network of routers to foil a common online surveillance technique called traffic analysis, which can reveal the sites you visit or who you're communicating with. 

The Tor Browser is an all-in-one package that includes everything you need to surf the net through the Tor network in an easy-to-install portable package. The package includes a modified version of Firefox with privacy aids such as NoScript baked in, and an automatic setup aid that makes it easy to connect to and create new Tor circuits. 

On the desktop, you can grab a version of Tor Browser for Windows, macOS or Linux. There's also a version of Tor Browser for Android, which replaces the previous OrBot + OrFox combination recommended for browsing Tor on Android.

Download Tor Browser: Desktop , Android

5. Onion Browser (iOS)

iOS users aren’t left out when it comes to browsing the Tor anonymizer network, with the Onion Browser among the more popular options on Apple’s mobile OS. 

Previously a premium app, Onion Browser has since moved to a donation model, opening up access to everyone who wants to download the app, without compromising security or features. The usual caveats apply: Browsing through Tor will slow down the web experience, and some features, like video streams and video files won’t work in order to preserve anonymity.

Download Onion Browser: iOS

How to choose the best ad blocker for you

Many of the best ad blockers are available for free, either as extensions or as standalone apps, though a few, like AdLock, charge a fee. Determine if the free services provide enough ad-blocking to meet your needs or whether a paid app delivers more for your money. You should also figure out if a browser extension will take care of your ad-blocking needs or whether you should consider switching browsers to one with more built-in privacy features.

You can narrow down your choice in ad blockers by deciding specifically what you're looking to accomplish with such an app or extension. Do you just want to stop annoying pop-up ads from appearing or do you want the full range of services, including privacy features and an end to ad-tracking? Grab the ad blocker that ticks off all the boxes on your wishlist.

Some ad blockers, such as AdBlock Plus include filters and the ability to let in non-obtrusive advertising. Others, like AdBlocker Ultimate, take a more aggressive approach. Find out which one best suits your needs and comfort level.

As we noted at the outset, there's also an ethical component to ad blockers. Do you feel comfortable keeping ad revenue out of the hands of sites you enjoy and use for free? As good as the best ad blockers are, that's still a trade-off you need to consider when deciding whether to install one as a browser extension or as a standalone app. 

Sign up to get the BEST of Tom’s Guide direct to your inbox.

Upgrade your life with a daily dose of the biggest tech news, lifestyle hacks and our curated analysis. Be the first to know about cutting-edge gadgets and the hottest deals.

New 'Brokewell' Android malware can steal user data and access banking apps

How to set up two-factor authentication for your Microsoft account

You don’t need the gym to build full body strength — use this 6 move dumbbell workout instead

• kep55 I'm waiting for an ad blocker that will spoof the websites into thinking there is no ad blocker in place. More and more sites are incorporating code that disables the site entirely or many of the features if an adblocker is in use. Reply

kep55 said: I'm waiting for an ad blocker that will spoof the websites into thinking there is no ad blocker in place. More and more sites are incorporating code that disables the site entirely or many of the features if an adblocker is in use.

• View All 2 Comments

Most Popular

• 2 iPhone 15 vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 zoom face-off: Which phone is better for close-ups?
• 3 When do hydrangeas flower? We asked gardening experts
• 4 The Samsung QN90D QLED’s test results look good — but this TV is way better and cheaper
• 5 How much protein do you need to build muscle?

Sponsor: Magic Lasso Adblock: 2.0x Faster Web Browsing in Safari →

Want to experience twice as fast load times in Safari on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac?

Then download Magic Lasso Adblock – the ad blocker designed for you. It’s easy to set up, blocks all YouTube ads, and doubles the speed at which Safari loads.

Magic Lasso Adblock is an efficient and high-performance ad blocker for your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It simply and easily blocks all intrusive ads, trackers, and annoyances in Safari. Enable it to browse in bliss.

By cutting down on ads and trackers, common news websites load 2x faster and use less data.

Over 300,000+ users rely on Magic Lasso Adblock to:

• Improve their privacy and security by removing ad trackers
• Block over 10 types of YouTube ads , including pre-roll video ads
• Double the battery life during heavy web browsing
• Lower data usage when on the go

Unlike some other ad blockers, Magic Lasso Adblock respects your privacy, doesn’t accept payment from advertisers, and is 100% supported by its community of users.

Download Magic Lasso Adblock from the App Store , Mac App Store or via the Magic Lasso website.

Version 4.5 is out now , and it has been totally rebuilt using SwiftUI, making the app more modern and faster than ever.

Search Tools:

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

Pop Culture Happy Hour

• Performing Arts

Pop Culture

You know it when you see it: here are some movies that got sex scenes right.

Linda Holmes

It is a happy coincidence that our "What makes a good sex scene?" episode came out in the same week as Challengers, a film about a romance triangle in the tennis world starring Josh O'Connor, Zendaya and (not pictured) Mike Faist. Niko Tavernise/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures hide caption

It is a happy coincidence that our "What makes a good sex scene?" episode came out in the same week as Challengers, a film about a romance triangle in the tennis world starring Josh O'Connor, Zendaya and (not pictured) Mike Faist.

What makes a good sex scene? It can be easier spot bad sex, but Aisha Harris, Christina Tucker, Ronald Young, Jr. and I tried to focus on the good this week on Pop Culture Happy Hour. You can listen to our full conversation here. (We didn't originally plan for this episode to run the same week as our episode about Challengers , which is out in theaters now, but it's a happy coincidence, since that film has gotten a lot of attention — probably too much, relative to its other merits — for the sex scenes involving its three leads. It's really very good .)

Movie Reviews

Watch a tense romantic triangle play out on the tennis court in 'challengers'.

It's often very obvious when a sex scene is bad, just like when a sex scene in a book is bad. It can get so uncomfortable to watch that you have to leave the room (and not in a way that feels true to the story). One of my personal tells for a bad sex scene is when all I can think about is how hard the actors are trying to persuade me that the characters are having a good time. For example, there has been much good discussion in recent years about Showgirls being a more interesting and competent project than it originally got credit for, but in that one pool scene (if you know it, you know it), all I can see is the effort.

Lauren Bacall And The 'Sex? What Sex?' Kind Of Movie Sex

It's not always as clear which scenes are good . That's partly because they serve so many different functions, all of which look different, and all of which can be effective. Furthermore, you don't want to confuse whether a sex scene is used well in a film with whether it's hot to you personally, despite the fact that there is overlap between those considerations.

In the 'Last Dance,' Magic Mike leaves his thong-and-dance routine behind

Here's what I mean: When Aisha talks about the sequence near the beginning of Magic Mike's Last Dance , it's not irrelevant that the scene is, to her (and to me), hot. But it also makes sense in the context of the film and the franchise, partly because of the way it sets up the power dynamic between Mike (Channing Tatum) and Max (Salma Hayek Pinault). Mike is older now, he knows more, and the way he approaches a lap dance is actually different than in earlier movies.

And not all good sex scenes are hot in the same ways. The one I mentioned in the episode, from the romantic drama Love & Basketball , is sexy, yes. But it's also a scene between young adults (the talented basketball players Monica and Quincy, played by Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps), and as such, it incorporates a tentativeness that's not present in Magic Mike's Last Dance , to say the least. As Ronald pointed out during our discussion, that sex scene is quite different from one that takes place later in Monica and Quincy's relationship, when they're older and know each other better. That certainly feels true to real life, but it's not always reflected in Hollywood films, where I would tentatively estimate that 90% of on-screen sex is more idealized and thus less intimate than real-life sex, in part because it isn't allowed to change over the course of a relationship.

Movie Interviews

'like it or not, we live in oppenheimer's world,' says director christopher nolan.

Even further from the hotness of the lap dance scene is Ronald's pick: the imagination of Kitty Oppenheimer (Emily Blunt) running wild in Oppenheimer. While her husband (Cillian Murphy) is being interrogated, she pictures him having sex with his mistress, Jean Tatlock (Florence Pugh). It goes by quickly enough that it might seem like a Christopher Nolan flourish for flourish's sake, but it serves the purpose of letting you feel her pain over her husband's affair. Her relationship with Robert doesn't look especially romantic in the film, let alone sexually charged; she finds herself consumed by the idea that he was having hot sex with this other woman, and she locks eyes with her vision of a naked Tatlock and finds herself tormented. It's not really the intent of the scene to titillate the audience, just to give specificity to the shape of Kitty's preoccupation with the affair.

What makes a good sex scene?

Christina raised another really important point, which is that sex scenes also collide with viewers at very specific moments. Her example from Bound , and the scenes between Violet (Jennifer Tilly) and Corky (Gina Gershon), touches on (among other things) her own history. It's an underappreciated aspect of the sex-in-movies discourse: representation matters in these scenes as much as anywhere else. I always wish I saw more sex scenes in movies that featured a broader variety of body types; it's still really rare to see ones that feature anybody who is even average sized. This is one of the reasons I'm curious about the upcoming season of Bridgerton , which places its focus on the gorgeous and curvaceous Penelope (Nicola Coughlan).

Looking for 'nomance': Study finds teens want less sex in their TV and movies

Good sex scenes are like any other kind of good filmmaking, honestly: it comes down to execution with purpose and care, done relative to whatever the function of the scene might be.

Whether that's spiciness or conflict or relationship growth or (as in the case of Bound ) setting up a steamy neo-noir story that wouldn't be the same if it weren't hot as heck, form follows function, ideally.

This piece also appeared in NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour newsletter. Sign up for the newsletter so you don't miss the next one, plus get weekly recommendations about what's making us happy.

Listen to Pop Culture Happy Hour on Apple Podcasts and Spotify .

SpotiBlock | Ad Blocker for Spotify

Description.