How to Stop Ads Showing Items You Recently Searched on Amazon and Google

Do you find advertisements for items you recently searched for consistently popping up on Amazon and Google, both on your mobile device and computer? This article will guide you through effective methods to stop these intrusive ads from cluttering your browsing experience.

Method 1: Use an Adblocker

The most straightforward way to achieve this is by utilizing an adblocker in your browser. With an adblocker installed, these ads will be blocked from appearing, thus providing a better browsing experience. Here’s how to get started:

Download and install an adblocker from the browser store (e.g., uBlock Origin, AdBlock, or AdGuard). Activate the adblocker; it usually has an icon that allows you to turn it on and off. Hold down the Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac) key combined with the Ctrl key, then press the Delete key. This keyboard shortcut can help clear browsing history, cookies, cache, and other data to remove any lingering ad references.

Method 2: Clear Cookies and Cache

Another efficient approach is to clear your cookies and cache. This will remove any stored data that ads use to track your searches. Here’s how:

On Google Chrome: Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. Select the "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files" checkboxes, then click on Clear data. On Mozilla Firefox: Go to Menu (top right) > History > Clear recent history. Check the "Cookies and site data" and "Cached web content" boxes, and click on Clear Now. On Microsoft Edge: Go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Clear browser data. Select the "Cookies and other site data and cache" option, and click on Clear now.

Method 3: Use Ad Blocking Apps and Extensions

If you're a mobile user or prefer a more customized approach, consider using ad-blocking apps for your smartphone. For desktop users, extensions are often a great solution. These tools can be found in the respective app stores (Google Play, Apple App Store) or browser extension stores.

For Android Users:

AdAway: Allows you to manually add ad servers to a DNS server that can then block ads from appearing on your device. PrivacyD: Enforces privacy settings that can block various forms of ads.

For iOS Users:

ForeAd: A simple ad-blocking app that can be used on iPhone and iPad.

For Desktop Users:

uBlock Origin: A popular ad blocker that can be used in Google Chrome, Firefox, and other browsers. Adguard: Offers strong protection against ads and intrusive elements.

Additional Privacy and Security Recommendations

While blocking ads can significantly improve your browsing experience, it's also important to consider other privacy and security measures. Here are a few extra tips:

Use a tracker blocker, as they can prevent websites from sending your data to tracking services. Enable Do Not Track in your browser settings; this sends a signal to websites not to track your online activities. Review and manage your browser settings for privacy and security.

Conclusion

By implementing these methods, you can greatly reduce the number of ads showing items you recently searched for on platforms like Amazon and Google. Using an adblocker, clearing cookies and cache, or installing ad-blocking apps and extensions will help ensure a more comfortable and private browsing experience.