How to disable ads in Firefox’s address bar

Firefox is one of the best web browsers out there. Many users prefer it over alternatives like Google Chrome and Edge since it uses its own engine and emphasizes user privacy. Mozilla has also been adding new features to Firefox on Android, including the recently announced system-wide password manager, making it a good option for smartphone users too.

However, if you use Firefox on desktop, you’ll get suggestions in the address bar that some people might end up seeing as “ads.” That’s because at the bottom of this list is a section labeled Firefox Suggest. In this section, you will find suggestions from Firefox for websites to visit. Mozilla says that Firefox Suggest can be “a trustworthy guide to the better web” with relevant suggestions. If you don’t like it, though, you can turn it off. That’s why we put together this guide.

How to turn off Firefox Suggest

As you can see in the attached image above, the browser displays links to certain websites at the bottom of the suggestions. While this does not seem intrusive, since it only occupies a small portion of the screen, it could be annoying for some users. Thankfully, the feature is disabled by default, and Firefox asks you if you want to Allow Suggestions after installing the Firefox 92 update.

If you’ve enabled the feature by mistake, the browser does give you an option to disable Firefox Suggest and get rid of the ads. Just a few clicks within the browser’s Settings page, and you’ll be good to go. Here’s how you can disable Firefox Suggest in Firefox’s address bar:

1. Click on the Menu icon on the top-right corner of the browser and then head over to Settings. Alternatively, you can click on Firefox in the menu bar and then select Preferences.
2. Now, select the Privacy & Security option.
3. On the following window, scroll down and look under Address Bar — Firefox Suggest.
4. Turn off the switch for suggestions from the web, and suggestions from sponsors. You also might want to uncheck the boxes for Search engines and Shortcuts too.
5. Restart the browser and enjoy your ad-free address bar!

While these types of “ads” can be intrusive and affect user experience, Mozilla says they’ve added this feature to fund the development and optimization of Firefox. If you find the contextual suggestions helpful or don’t mind seeing suggested websites at the bottom of your address bar, you can keep the feature on.

The post How to disable ads in Firefox’s address bar appeared first on XDA.

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