Nearly all ad blockers, including AdBlock, use rules to determine what should be blocked and hidden on web pages you visit. These rules are also called filters, and they are provided in collections called filter lists.
Filter lists aren't static — they're actively maintained. The filter lists are maintained by filter list authors, some of whom work for AdBlock while others volunteer their time to make updates.
If a filter is causing a site to break or fails to block something it should, list authors can fix the rule and release an updated filter list — resolving the problem for everyone using that list. In AdBlock's browser extensions and Android app, filter lists update independently of the software, so this fix reaches you automatically without needing an AdBlock update. In the AdBlock iOS and macOS apps, filter list updates are delivered as part of an app update.
The most widely used filter lists appear as selectable options in AdBlock's settings, though availability varies by platform. Where noted below, "desktop extensions" refers only to AdBlock for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.
Where to find AdBlock filter lists
Desktop - Chrome, Firefox, Edge
To access filter lists in the Chrome, Firefox, or Edge desktop extensions:
Click the AdBlock iconon your browser toolbar.
Select the gear icon.
Select the Filter Lists tab.
AdBlock for Safari Mac App
In the AdBlock for Safari Mac app, filter lists are not displayed as they update automatically.
AdBlock for Safari + VPN (iOS)
The AdBlock for Safari + VPN iOS app hides filter lists because they update automatically.
AdBlock for Samsung Browser (Android)
In the AdBlock for Samsung Browser app, filter lists can be viewed and updated on the AdBlock home screen.
Acceptable Ads is enabled by default on our desktop browser extensions in Chrome, Edge, and Firefox. You can change this setting at any time. You can also opt in to the "Only allow ads without third-party tracking" feature.
EasyList
EasyList is the primary list of ad-blocking filters that the majority of ad blockers use. If EasyList is disabled, AdBlock will not be able to block ads.
When AdBlock is installed, EasyList is enabled by default. This will block ads in your device or browser’s default language.
AdBlock defaults to the browser language in:
AdBlock for Chrome (Windows and ChromeOS)
AdBlock for Firefox
AdBlock defaults to the device/system language in:
AdBlock for Chrome (macOS and Linux)
AdBlock for Edge
AdBlock for Safari & VPN (macOS app)
AdBlock for Safari + VPN (iOS app)
AdBlock for Samsung Browser (Android app)
You can customize this by selecting your preferred language(s). All EasyList language variants include both the English filters and the filters for the selected language.
Anti-Circumvention
The anti-circumvention list only blocks ads that EasyList cannot block. It uses experimental features to prevent ad blocker detection and circumvention, ad reinsertion, and other malicious techniques that advertisers and publishers use to ensure ads appear. It can be thought of as a companion list to the blocking filters available in EasyList.
Selecting your preferred language(s)
Use the steps below to choose your preferred language(s). This will allow AdBlock to block ads that display in your chosen language(s). For best performance, avoid enabling too many languages at once.
AdBlock for Safari & VPN (macOS)
Open AdBlock.
Click Safari Blocking > Ad Blocking Languages.
Click to toggle Automatic to Off. The toggle will change from red (enabled) to gray (disabled) and new language options will appear.
Toggle On each language you would like to add.
AdBlock desktop extension (Chrome, Firefox, Edge)
Click the AdBlock icon on the browser toolbar.
Click the gear icon.
From the lefthand menu, select the Filter lists tab.
At the end of the Ad Blocking Filter Lists section, find Add filters for another language: and select a language from the dropdown.
The language you selected will now show under Ad Blocking Filter Lists. You can repeat step 4 to add more languages.
iOS
Open AdBlock.
Tap Safari Blocking.
Tap Ad Blocking Languages.
Tap to toggle Automatic to Off (gray).
Toggle On each language you want to add.
Samsung Browser
Open AdBlock.
Tap Language.
Select your preferred language(s).
Other filter lists
For additional language options and a list of actively maintained filter lists, take a look at the Adblock Plus Subscriptions page. These can be used with your desktop browser extension in Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.
To subscribe to a filter list, click the "Subscribe" link, then click OK. The list will appear on AdBlock’s Filter lists page under the Custom Filter Lists section.
Subscribing to additional filter lists
Subscribe to filter lists by subscription link
You may run across specialized filter list that are not listed in AdBlock. Some filter lists provide a "click to subscribe" link. To add them to AdBlock, click the provided link and then click OK to confirm. Here are some examples: Known Adblock Plus subscriptions.
Subscribe to filter lists by URL
Another way to subscribe to specialized filter lists is via a URL. You can find some specialized filter lists on the EasyList forum.
To subscribe via URL:
Click the AdBlock icon on the browser toolbar, then click the gear icon.
On the Filter lists tab, under Custom Filter Lists, paste one of the links provided below in the box containing “enter a URL”
Click Subscribe and wait for AdBlock to fetch the filters.
Viewing filter list content
In some cases, you may want to see the contents of a filter list. This option is only available in desktop versions of Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. To do this, use these steps:
Click the AdBlock icon and then on the gear icon.
On the General tab, select I'm an advanced user, show me advanced options.
Click the Filter lists tab.
Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Show links to the filter lists.
Click the list icon that appears to the right of the filter list name. A new page will open, showing the contents of the filter list.
