Filed under: Google, Freeware, Open Source, How-Tos, Beta, Browsers
How to block ads in Google Chrome with AdSweep
Chrome users don't have to put up with ads if they don't want to, though. If a proxy-based blocker isn't your thing, then why not install AdSweep - either as a Userscript or a Chrome extension. They're essentially the same thing right now, since extensions are basically Userscripts in a wrapper. Whichever way you want to install AdSweep, here's what to do.
Since it's available as a Userscript, users of other browsers can take advantage of AdSweep, too - just check on the homepage for instructions. Now, let's get it working in Chrome.
As an Extension
To utilize AdSweep as an extension, you need to be running the Beta or Developer version of Chrome. Download it from the nightly builds, or grab the Chrome Channel Changer.
First, download the AdSweep .CRX file and save it to an easy-to-type location (like c:\ for example)
Next, launch Chrome with the following argument: --install-extension="save path\adsweep.crx"
You can do this from the command prompt, or course, but I find making a couple of copies of the Chrome shortcut on my desktop easier.
- Make two copies of your Chrome shortcut
- Right click one of your new icons and choose properties
- Add the install argument to the target field
- Double click your "install" shortcut
- Right click the other new icon and choose properties
- Add --enable-extensions to the target field
- Double-click your new extension-powered shortcut
- To verify that AdSweep installed correctly, enter chrome-ui://extensions/ in the address bar
As a Userscript
- Download the AdSweep.zip file and extract the script file
- Rename AdSweep.js to AdSweep.user.js (otherwise Chrome won't recognize it)
- Check to see if you already have a Chrome User Scripts folder. If you don't, create it.
- On Vista or Windows 7, look in %LocalAppData%\Chrome (or Chromium)\User Data\Default
- On Windows XP, look in %AppData%\Chrome (or Chromium)\User Data\Default
- Chrome 1 users, look for C:\Scripts
- Cut and paste AdSweep.user.js into the User Scripts folder
- Right click your Chrome icon and add --enable-user-scripts to the target field
- Launch Chrome via your updated shortcut and browse to www.adsweep.org. If you see a red notice in the upper-right corner, it's working!
Whatever the reason, I found that installing the extension did a better job at both removing ads and rendering the rest of the page neatly. This is a nice display of how extensions will work in Chrome. Let's hope the install process catches up to Firefox in the coming months.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Brian said 9:48AM on 4-06-2009
Oh the irony: A blog owned by Time Warner instructing customer how to block ads on websites.
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Lee Mathews said 9:55AM on 4-06-2009
...and it's not the first time, either. Irony=delicious.
Danny said 11:43AM on 4-06-2009
I like AdSweep but I wish it would do more than hide ads. My browser still ends up downloading (but not displaying) the ads. And it doesn't do anything against stats counters and other privacy concerns.
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tengobotas said 11:35AM on 4-06-2009
Because the 10000-100000 or whatever hits this page will get are important to Time Warner's Ad Dept... /eyeroll
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barelyadraft said 1:11PM on 4-06-2009
I still use Ad Muncher (www.admuncher.com). Works across all browsers so I only have one place to deal with exceptions. Of course, it does cost a small amount, but I think it's easily worth it - also I have one reason less to switch to Chrome
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CM said 1:49PM on 4-06-2009
Meh...firefox and adblock plus is still faster and pages look better than chrome with adsweep.
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aanidaani said 5:42PM on 4-06-2009
Time Warner shouldn't have any problem with this blog discussing ad blocking. The number of readers of Download Squad is only a tiny fraction of the millions of internet users. 10-50k people who read about ad blocking will make no difference when compared to the vast majority who are content to leave the ads alone.
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DanGarion said 11:31PM on 4-06-2009
If all the ads are blocked how will they pay you?
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Marco said 6:03AM on 4-07-2009
Time Warner employees don’t get any money. They get bread and water for free and they are allowed to write on Internet Weblogs.
Albert said 4:37AM on 5-23-2009
Too bad it only HIDES stuff. In comparison AdblockPlus BLOCKS ads before loading them (see: content policy). Still got the 2 major gripes.
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Eric said 4:54PM on 6-03-2009
Did you know you can use your router to block ads.
Under Access Restriction in Linksys. You can add the following keyword.
"ads" & "advertisements"
this will block all ads from websites. even google ads. This is because in the url usually hosting companys will place all there advertisments in a folder or have a domain that has the keywords "ads" & "advertisements" in it.
Try it it will work.
www.ejtsystems.com
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