Instagram Ads Keep Growing
Instagram now shows sponsored posts every 3-4 posts in your feed, ads between Stories, and promoted Reels. Here's how to block them.
Method 1: Use Instagram in Your Browser
Instead of the Instagram app, use instagram.com in Chrome or Edge with an features" class="doc-internal-link">ad blocker installed.
- Install DNDShield on your browser
- Go to instagram.com
- Log in to your account
- Sponsored posts and story ads are blocked
What gets blocked:
- Sponsored posts in feed
- Promoted Reels
- Story ads between friends' stories
- "Suggested" sponsored accounts
- Explore page promoted content
Method 2: Limit Ad Targeting (App)
In the Instagram app:
- Go to Settings → Accounts Centre → Ad Preferences
- Review and remove Ad Topics
- Turn off Ads based on activity from partners
This won't remove ads but makes them less targeted.
Method 3: Third-Party Instagram Clients
Some third-party Instagram clients (like Instander for Android) block ads. However:
- They violate Instagram's Terms of Service
- Your account could be restricted
- They may not be safe (security risk)
Recommendation: Using instagram.com in a browser with an ad blocker is the safest method.
Browser vs App
| Feature | Browser + Ad Blocker | Instagram App |
|---|---|---|
| Feed ads | Blocked | Shown |
| Story ads | Blocked | Shown |
| Reels ads | Blocked | Shown |
| Push notifications | No | Yes |
| Camera/Stories | Limited | Full |
| DMs | Yes | Yes |
FAQ
Can Instagram ban me for using an ad blocker? No. You're using Instagram's own website — the ad blocker runs in your browser, not on Instagram's servers.
Does this work on mobile? Yes, if you use instagram.com in a mobile browser with ad blocking support (like Firefox for Android with extensions).
What Changes Once It's Running
The clearest sign it's working: scrolling your feed feels shorter, because sponsored posts were taking up real space between the accounts you actually follow. Promoted Reels stop showing up in the Reels tab. Story ads — the ones that interrupt a run of your friends' stories with a brand's — stop appearing there too.
Explore page content thins out a bit as well, since a portion of what shows there is paid placement rather than organically popular content. None of this affects posts, Reels, or Stories from accounts you follow — only paid/sponsored placements get targeted.
One limitation worth being upfront about: this only works through instagram.com in a browser. The Instagram app doesn't allow browser extensions or any ad-blocking mechanism, which is exactly why Method 1 above specifically points you to the browser version instead of the app.
Also on Facebook? Remove Facebook Ads covers the same approach — same company, same ad infrastructure, same fix.