Tired of Targeted Ads? Here’s How to Reduce Ad Personalization

Getting bombarded with ads for things you just browsed can be frustrating, especially if you’re sharing your phone or planning a surprise.

Here’s how to reduce ad personalization on Google, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, step by step.

Google: How to Reduce Targeted Ads

1. Open the Google App or Go to google.com

Sign in to your Google account.

2. Tap Your Profile Icon (Top Right)

This opens your account menu.

3. Select “Manage Your Google Account”

4. Go to “Data & Privacy”

5. Tap “Ad Settings”

This opens My Ad Center.

6. Toggle Off “Ad Personalization” (Optional)

Disables personalized ads completely.

7. Customize Ad Topics Instead

• Scroll or search for a topic like “Jewelry.”

• Tap it and choose See Less or hit the minus icon.

8. Preferences Apply Across Devices

Facebook: How to Control Personalized Ads

1. Open Facebook App

Make sure you’re logged in.

2. Tap Menu (Three Horizontal Lines)

Bottom right (iOS) or top right (Android).

3. Go to “Settings & Privacy” > “Settings”

4. Under “Permissions,” Tap “Ad Preferences”

5. Tap “Ad Topics”

6. Select Topics to Limit (e.g., Engagement, Jewelry)

Choose “Show Less Ads About This Topic.”

7. Remove Advertisers You’ve Interacted With

Helps cut down repeat ads.

Instagram: How to Limit Targeted Ads

1. Open Instagram App

2. Go to Profile > Tap the Three Lines (Top Right)

3. Tap “Settings and Privacy” > Scroll to “Ads”

4. Tap “Ad Topics”

Search or browse topics like “Weddings” or “Rings.”

5. Select Topic > Choose “See Less”

6. Optional: Tap “Data About Your Activity from Partners”

Toggle off to reduce third-party data influence.

TikTok: How to Reduce Personalized Ads

1. Open TikTok App

2. Go to Profile > Tap Three Lines (Top Right)

Choose “Settings and Privacy.”

3. Tap “Privacy” > Scroll to “Ads”

4. Tap “Ad Personalization”

5. Toggle Off “Use of Off-TikTok Activity for Ads”

Disables TikTok from using outside browsing data.

6. Tap “Ads Based on Gender or Interests”

Turn these off or adjust them for less targeted ads.

YouTube: How to Manage Ad Personalization

1. Open YouTube App > Tap Profile Icon (Top Right)

Make sure you’re signed in.

2. Tap “Manage Your Google Account”

3. Go to “Data & Privacy” > Tap “Ad Settings”

4. You’ll Be Redirected to My Ad Center

5. Turn Off “Ad Personalization” or Customize Topics

Search for topics like “Rings,” “Weddings,” or “Jewelry” and hit See Less.

6. Adjust Ads Based on YouTube History (Optional)

Under YouTube History, you can pause or delete watch/search history to reduce ad targeting based on videos you’ve viewed.