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.
The filter lists are maintained by filter list authors, some of whom volunteer their time to make updates. With a few exceptions, the list authors are not affiliated with the engineers who develop ad blockers. This is why we refer you to the list authors for help when a filter breaks a web page or an ad slips through a filter list. Whenever possible, the list authors will fix the filter or adjust the blocking rules and release an update to the filter list, resolving the issue for everyone.
The most widely used filter lists are available as selectable options in AdBlock's settings. While some filter lists are available in all versions of AdBlock, not all lists are available in AdBlock on every device. Where noted below, the desktop extensions for AdBlock include only AdBlock for Chrome, AdBlock for Firefox, and AdBlock for 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 icon on your browser toolbar, select the gear icon, then select Filter Lists from the tabs on the left of the options page.
AdBlock for Safari Mac App
In the AdBlock for Safari Mac app, filter lists are not displayed as they update automatically. If you would like to force an update, try restarting the app.
AdBlock for Mobile (iOS)
In the AdBlock for Mobile app, filter lists can be viewed and updated on the AdBlock home screen. The Acceptable Ads filter list can be accessed by tapping Settings from the AdBlock home screen.
AdBlock for Samsung Internet (Android)
In the AdBlock for Samsung Internet app, filter lists can be viewed and updated on the AdBlock home screen.
Ad blocking filter lists
Acceptable Ads
The Acceptable Ads filter list blocks intrusive, annoying ads while allowing ads that abide by Acceptable Ads standards. The intention is to support websites that try to be good internet citizens. You're welcome to disable it at any time. This list is enabled by default when AdBlock is installed. The optional "Only allow ads without third-party tracking" feature can be enabled when Acceptable Ads is selected.
Acceptable Ads is available in: All versions of AdBlock
“Only allow ads without third-party tracking” is available in: All desktop extensions of AdBlock
Note: If you are subscribed to this list, you won’t be able to manually block Acceptable Ads. Allowlist filters such as those in the Acceptable Ads list always override blocking filters.
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. EasyList is enabled by default when AdBlock is installed.
EasyList is available in: All versions of AdBlock
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.
Available in: All desktop versions of AdBlock
Filter Lists For Non-English Languages
If you visit websites in languages other than English, you can subscribe to filter lists for those languages (otherwise, only ads in English will be blocked). In some cases, these lists are enabled by default based on your computer’s language and location settings.
Available in: All versions of AdBlock except the AdBlock for Safari Mac app
To subscribe to a filter list, click the "Subscribe" link on the Adblock Plus page or the "Add List" link on the Fanboy's page and click OK. The list will appear on AdBlock’s Filter Lists page under the Custom Filter Lists section.
Other filter lists
AdBlock Warning Removal List
The Adblock Warning Removal list hides requests to disable ad blockers on websites you visit, but does not circumvent anti-ad blocking measures.
Available in: All desktop extensions of AdBlock, AdBlock for Android
Antisocial Filter List
The Antisocial filter list removes social media buttons that track your browsing activity on web pages.
Available in: All desktop extensions of AdBlock, AdBlock for Firefox (Android)
Note:
Subscribing to this list can break some website functionality such as links to social media sites or sign-in options that rely on Facebook or other social media.
If you subscribe to Fanboy's Annoyances, it’s unnecessary to also subscribe to Antisocial.
EasyPrivacy is an offshoot of EasyList that prevents ads from tracking your online activities by blocking the trackers advertisers use to know what sites you visit.
Available in: All desktop extensions of AdBlock, AdBlock for Samsung Internet (EasyPrivacy+EasyList), AdBlock for Firefox (Android), AdBlock for Mobile (iOS)
Fanboy's Annoyances
Fanboy's Annoyances blocks in-page pop-ups (the kind that prompt you to subscribe to a site's newsletter or email list), social media and related widgets, and other annoying things on web pages.
Available in: All desktop extensions of AdBlock, AdBlock for Firefox (Android)
Note:
As with Antisocial, enabling this list can break some website functionality that relies on Facebook and social media sign-in options.
If you subscribe to Fanboy's Annoyances, you don’t need to also subscribe to Antisocial.
AdBlock for Samsung Internet
A few filter lists that you can subscribe to by URL in the desktop versions of AdBlock are available as selectable options in AdBlock for Samsung Internet:
Adware filters and Malware Domains help to protect you from sites known to host adware and malware
I don't care about cookies and Prebake prevent you from seeing notices about cookies on websites that use them
Spam404 helps to protect you from spamming websites
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.
Click the AdBlock toolbar icon and then on the gear symbol.
On the Customize 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.
