Facebook is an amazing tool for keeping in touch with loved ones, getting timely updates, and exploring new offerings. The only drawback is the abundance of ads on the platform. But there are methods to decrease the number of ads you see, resulting in a better Facebook experience. Let’s take a closer look at the steps involved.
Limit Ad Preferences
The first step you can take is to modify your Ad Preferences. This won’t necessarily decrease the number of ads you see, but it will make them more relevant to your interests. To do this, follow these steps:
- Click on the drop-down menu in the top right corner of Facebook.
- Select ‘Settings & Privacy’, then click ‘Settings’.
- From the left column, select ‘Ads’.
- Under ‘Ad settings’, select ‘Ad Preferences’.
From here, you can review and make changes to your ad preferences and settings. You can choose not to see ads based on your relationship status, employer, job title, and education. You can also hide ads from specific businesses or organizations.
Opt Out of Ads Based on Your Activity
Facebook shows you ads based on your activity on their platform and outside. This includes your interactions with businesses, your use of websites and apps, and information from data providers and advertisers. However, you can opt out of ads based on your activity. To do so, follow these steps:
- Again, navigate to ‘Settings’ > ‘Ads’.
- Under ‘Ad settings’, click ‘Ads based on your activity on Facebook Company Products that you see elsewhere’.
- Select ‘No’.
Now, the information from your activity on Facebook will not be used to show you ads when you are off Facebook.
Disable Off-Facebook Activity
Facebook tracks your activity even when you are not using the app. They get this information from businesses and organizations you visit. To disable this, follow these steps:
- Navigate to ‘Settings’ > ‘Your Facebook Information’.
- Click ‘View’ next to ‘Off-Facebook Activity’.
- Click ‘More options’ > ‘Manage Future Activity’.
- Click ‘Manage Future Activity’, which will open a pop-up where you should turn off ‘Future off-Facebook Activity’.
This will limit the data that Facebook receives about your activity on other websites and apps, which directly impacts the types of ads you see.
Conclusion
Keep in mind that these changes will not eliminate ads completely, they will just limit the amount and type of information that Facebook uses to show you ads. You’ll still see the same number of ads, but they will be less personalized. If you are seeing irrelevant or annoying ads, you can always click on the three dots on the ad and select ‘Hide ad’.