As users spend more time on TikTok, uninterrupted and seamless browsing becomes increasingly essential. One of the main factors affecting user experience is the presence of advertisements. For this reason, you may be wondering how to stop TikTok ads and make your scrolling adventure more enjoyable. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore various strategies and methods to help you tackle those pesky ads.
Adjusting Ad Preferences
While completely stopping TikTok ads might not be possible through the app’s settings, you can certainly gain more control over the type of ads you see. Here’s how to adjust your ad preferences to make your experience more enjoyable, even if you can’t entirely stop seeing ads.
Personalizing Ad Experience
Follow these steps to access ad settings on TikTok:
- Open the TikTok app and go to your profile.
- Tap three lines in the upper-right corner to access the settings menu.
- Scroll down and select “Settings and Privacy.”
- Choose “Privacy” and then tap on “Ad personalization.”
- Turn off the option “Use of Off-TikTok activity for ad targeting.”
- Next, tap on “How your ads are personalized.”
Please keep in mind that the availability of the personalization feature is not universal. Currently, it is accessible to those residing in the UK, Switzerland, and the EEA — regions that have adopted the GDPR framework.
Furthermore, opting out of personalized ads doesn’t mean you will stop seeing ads altogether. Instead, the ads you see will be less targeted and irrelevant to your interests.
How to Stop TikTok Ads Using Built-In TikTok Features
In this section, we will explore two key methods that can help you manage the ads you see while scrolling through your TikTok feed.
The “Not Interested” Option
When you come across an ad that you don’t want to see, you can tap and hold the ad until a menu appears. Select “Not interested” from the menu. That signals to TikTok that you’re not interested in that particular ad, which can help the app serve you more relevant content in the future. By doing so, you’re providing feedback to TikTok’s ad algorithms. Over time, the app will better understand your preferences and potentially reduce the frequency of ads you don’t find relevant or engaging.
Reporting Irrelevant or Inappropriate Ads
If you encounter an ad that is irrelevant, inappropriate, or violates TikTok’s guidelines, you can report it to help improve your overall experience. To do this, tap and hold the ad, and select “Report” from the menu. Then, choose a reason for reporting the ad, such as “Irrelevant,” “Inappropriate,” or “Spam.” By actively reporting ads you find problematic, you can contribute to refining the ads you see.
Third-Party Solutions
There are also two popular methods that can help you achieve a more ad-free TikTok experience: ad-blocking apps and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).
Ad-Blocking Apps
Ad-blocking apps are designed to block or filter out advertisements on websites and apps, including TikTok. They work by identifying the elements of a page that are ads and preventing them from loading or displaying on your device.
Several ad-blocking apps are available for both Android and iOS devices. Some popular options include AdGuard, StopAd, and AdBlock Plus.
Ad-blockers can provide a more ad-free experience on TikTok, but they also come with some drawbacks. For instance, some ad blockers may not work effectively with all ad types, and they could potentially cause compatibility or performance issues with certain devices or apps.
Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
A VPN is a service that lets you connect to the internet via an encrypted tunnel to a server in a different location. That can help you bypass geographic restrictions and access content that may not be available in your region.
Some VPN services come with built-in ad-blocking features, including NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark. By connecting to a VPN server, you can potentially reduce the number of ads you see on TikTok, as ads may be blocked or filtered out based on the server’s location.
Considerations When Using Third-Party Solutions
- Compatibility issues: Keep in mind that some third-party solutions may not be compatible with all devices or may cause issues with certain apps. Therefore, it’s essential to thoroughly research and test any third-party solution before fully committing to it.
- Impact on app functionality: Using third-party solutions to stop TikTok ads may affect the app’s performance or functionality. In some cases, it could even lead to restricted access to certain features or content on TikTok.
Privacy concerns: While using third-party ad-blockers and VPNs can help reduce ads, it’s important to be aware of potential privacy concerns. Make sure to choose trustworthy services with robust privacy policies and no-log guarantees.
