Lesson 1 of 5
What is an ad blocker?
Define the tool and the problem it solves.
4 min read
An ad blocker is a browser extension that stops advertisements before they reach your screen. It does this by inspecting every network request your browser makes and cancelling the ones that match a list of known ad and tracker domains.
The result is a faster, calmer page. Ads never download, so they cost no bandwidth, no battery and no attention. Trackers that ride along with ads are usually blocked too.
Key takeaways
- Ad blockers cancel ad requests at the network layer.
- Cosmetic rules hide leftover empty containers.
- Less data downloaded means faster pages and longer battery life.