Ads are the internet’s necessary evil—until they’re not. While ad blockers like uBlock Origin or AdGuard are popular, they require installations, permissions, and updates. What if you could remove ads *instantly* without adding a single extension? Enter the **JavaScript Bookmarklet**, a tiny snippet of code that acts like a magic wand for ad-free browsing. In this guide, I’ll show you how it works, why it’s effective, and how to set it up in under 2 minutes.
Why Use a JavaScript Bookmarklet?
Ad-blocking extensions are powerful, but they come with trade-offs:
- They consume memory.
- They require access to your data.
- Websites often detect and block their usage.
A JavaScript bookmarklet bypasses these issues. It’s lightweight, works on any browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge), and leaves no trace. Think of it as a “one-click cleanup” tool for ads.
How This Bookmarklet Works
This script uses smart targeting to identify and remove ad elements. Here’s the breakdown:
1. Targets Ad Patterns:
- Removes elements with classes like `adsbygoogle`, `gpt-ad`, or `adthrive`.
- Blocks iframes loading ad scripts (e.g., Google Ads iframes).
- Detects GDPR cookie walls disguised as “consent” pop-ups.
2.Ignores Critical Content:
- Skips elements inside `<article>` tags or containers marked `ad-layout` to avoid breaking site layouts.
3. Works Instantly:
- No page reloads. Click the bookmarklet, and ads vanish mid-browse.
Step-by-Step: How to Set It Up
1. Copy the Code:
Create a new bookmark in your browser and paste this code into the URL field:
javascript:(function(e){function t(e){return["DIV","SPAN"].includes(e.tagName)}var a={elem(t){(function(t){for(let a of e.ignore?.selector??[])if(t.matches(a))return!0;for(let a of e.ignore?.func??[])if(a(t))return!0;return!1})(t)||(n.add([t,t.parentElement]),t.remove())},list(e){Array.from(e).forEach((e=>a.elem(e)))},cls(e){a.list(document.getElementsByClassName(e))},selector(e){a.list(document.querySelectorAll(e))},func({func:e,selector:t=null}){let n=null==t?document.getElementsByClassName("*"):document.querySelectorAll(t);for(let t of n)e(t)&&a.elem(t)}},n=new Set,o=new Set;for(let[t,n]of Object.entries(e))if("ignore"!=t)for(let e of n)a[t](e);for(let[e,r]of n)o.has(e)||(o.add(e),r.isConnected&&t(r)&&(r.hasChildNodes()||a.elem(r)))})({cls:["adsbygoogle","mod_ad_container","brn-ads-box","gpt-ad","ad-box","top-ads-container","adthrive-ad"],selector:[%27[aria-label="advertisement"]%27,%27[class*="-ad "],[class*="-ad-"],[class$="-ad"],[class^="ad-"],[class^="adthrive"]%27,%27:is(div,iframe)[id^="google_ads_iframe_"]%27,"#aipPrerollContainer","span[data-ez-ph-id] span[data-ez-ph-owner-id] span.ezoicwhat"],func:[{selector:'[class*="ad" i],[id*="ad" i]',func(e){for(const t of[e.id,...e.classList])if(/(?<!lo|re|he)(ad|Ad|AD)(vertisement)?s?([tT]hrive)?([cC]ontent)?([eE]ngine|[nN]gin)?([cC]ontainer)?s?($|[-_,\s])/.test(t))return!0}},{selector:"div#preroll",func(e){for(let t of e.children)if(t.matches("div#aipBranding"))return!0}},{selector:"html > iframe",func:e=>!(!e.sandbox.contains("allow-scripts")||!e.sandbox.contains("allow-same-origin")||2!=e.sandbox.length||!e.src.toLowerCase().includes("gdpr"))}],ignore:{selector:["body",".ad-layout","#game-holder.game-holder-with-ad",".no-interstitial-ads"],func:[e=>{let t=document.getElementsByTagName("article");for(let a of t)if(e.contains(a))return!0}]}});
2. Name the Bookmark:
Label it “Ad Blocker” or something memorable.
3. Use It:
Navigate to any site (e.g., a news blog or YouTube), click the bookmark, and watch ads disappear.
### Pros and Cons
✅ Pros:
- Zero installation—works on all browsers.
- No tracking or permissions required.
- Updates automatically (no manual tweaks).
❌ Cons:
- May occasionally miss *very* new ad formats.
- Some sites might briefly “flicker” as ads reload.
### FAQ
Q: Is this legal?
A: Yes! You’re not modifying websites—just hiding elements locally.
Q: Will it slow down my browser?
A: No. It runs once per click and uses minimal resources.
Q: Can I customize the ad-blocking rules?
A: Absolutely! Modify the code’s `cls` or `selector` arrays to block new ad types.
Conclusion
A JavaScript bookmarklet is the Swiss Army knife of ad-blocking—simple, efficient, and private. Whether you’re battling YouTube prerolls, invasive pop-ups, or cookie consent walls, this tool gives you back control over your browsing experience. Give it a try, and say goodbye to distractions!
Bookmark this guide, grab the code above, and enjoy a cleaner web today. For more tech hacks, subscribe to our newsletter!