How to Stop Instagram and X Ads Without Paying? Simple Steps for a Happier Feed

Can You Really Remove Those Annoying Instagram and X Ads for Free?

I open Instagram or X, and I want to see my friends, cool creators, and fun stuff. But what do I get? Ads. Lots of ads. Sometimes, it feels like every third post is an ad. I know these companies need money, but that’s too much. Sometimes, I can’t even tell what’s an ad and what’s a real post. Some ads are spam. Some even seem risky.

When there are so many ads, I miss out on the people I actually want to follow. It’s like the app is a billboard, not a place for friends.

What Are My Choices?

On X, I can pay to remove ads. But the first paid tier doesn’t remove any ads. The second tier removes some, but not all. If I want no ads, I have to pay $40 every month in the U.S. That’s a lot. Some people just switch to other social apps.

Instagram is different. Only people in the EU can pay for fewer ads, and even then, it costs money every month. If I’m not in the EU, I’m stuck with ads.

The Simple Way to Block Ads on Desktop

I found a way that works for me. I use a browser called Brave. It’s free. It blocks ads by itself. I don’t need to add anything extra. It works on my computer and my phone.

Here’s how I do it on my computer:

1. Download Brave.
2. Open Instagram or X in Brave.
3. Log in.
4. See my feed—no ads.

If I want to make it even easier, I save Instagram and X as bookmarks. I can also install them as desktop apps. When I do this, I get a shortcut on my computer. I click it, and my feed opens without ads.

To install as a desktop app:

1. Open Instagram or X in Brave.
2. Click the little laptop icon at the end of the address bar.
3. Click “Install.”
4. Now I have a shortcut on my desktop.

How I Block Ads on My Phone

Blocking ads on my phone is a bit different. Brave can’t block ads inside the Instagram or X apps. But I can use the web version.

Here’s what I do:

1. Install the Brave browser on my phone.
2. Open Instagram or X in Brave.
3. Log in.
4. Tap the three dots at the bottom right.
5. Tap “Add to Home screen.”
6. Tap “Install.”

Now I have an icon on my home screen. When I tap it, Instagram or X opens in Brave. No ads. If I want, I can just make a shortcut that opens the site in a new Brave tab.

What Are the Downsides?

There are a few things I have to deal with:

• If I clear my cookies or history in Brave, I have to log in again. I think that’s better than seeing ads.
• On Instagram (but not X), if I tap a post to comment or read comments, then go back, I jump to the top of my feed. It doesn’t refresh, but it’s not fun.
• Sometimes, I can’t zoom in on pictures in the web app. Brave can fix this. I go to Brave settings, tap “Accessibility,” and turn on “Force enable zoom.” I can also make text and images bigger if I want.

One More Good Thing

Brave blocks trackers. That means what I do on Instagram or X stays there. Other sites can’t follow me as easily. It’s not perfect privacy, but it’s better.

I want to see my friends and favorite creators, not ads. Using Brave, I can do that. It’s not perfect, but it’s free. I spend less time scrolling past ads and more time enjoying my feed. If you want fewer ads and more of what you like, give Brave a try. It’s easy, and it helps me every day.