Websites show ads to generate revenue by selling ad space or promoting their own products. However, these ads can be annoying and lead many users to install ad blockers. But not all ad blockers work as intended. This is where an Adblock tester can help.

Some ad blockers are very poor at blocking ads and will steal your money. Does that mean you should stop using ad blockers completely? Certainly not, because there is a tool called Adblock Tester that can help you find the ultimate ad blocker.

An Adblock Tester evaluates how well ad blockers perform in blocking ads. Most of these tests are free and very simple to use.

In this article, we’ll explore what an ad block tester is and how to test ad blocker by yourself. You’ll also come across popular ad block test sites to use.

A person using both a laptop and a smartphone

What Is an Ad Block Tester?

You got an ad blocker. You turned it on. Boom — no more ads! …Or so you thought. Some banners disappeared, but new ads still pop up. What’s going on?

This is where an adblock tester can help. It is a simple tool you can use online. It checks if your ad blocker is doing a good job or not. You just open the tester, and it immediately tells you which ads it blocks and which ones it allows. No need to download anything or have tech skills.

Some testers give you a score. Others tell you which types of ads they block. If your blocker is not working well, the tester can show you better options. It only takes a minute and helps you see if your ad blocker really works.

Well, websites are a bit sneaky. They check your IP to see where you are. Then they show ads made for people in your town or country. People call these geo-targeted ads. You can try a geolocation lookup to see what websites know about your location. It can show your city, country, or even your internet provider. That’s a lot of info.

Why Do You Need To Test Your AdBlocker?

Not all ad blockers are effective. Some still let ads sneak past. How? Because ads can find you by your location! Want to see what websites know about you? Check it out using this IP to geolocation API. It shows your country, city, and even your internet provider. Crazy, right?

Since ads use your location, some blockers don’t stop them. Even if you use an ad blocker, ads may still appear. That’s why it’s important to test your tool, especially if you pay for it. You want to make sure it really works.

Here are a few reasons to test your ad blocker:

  • Some ads still appear, even with a blocker.
  • Location-based ads can get through.
  • You pay for premium blockers, so you want full protection.
  • One blocker isn’t always enough.
  • Testing helps you check if your setup really works.

Some people use two or three blockers simultaneously. That helps block more ads and makes browsing faster and safer. But without testing, you don’t know what actually works.

How To Test Ad Blocker

You turned on an ad blocker. But how do you know it’s really working? Here’s how to test ad blocker in just a few easy steps:

  1. Visit an ad block test site. These websites check if your ad blocker is working properly. Some start the test right away. Others will ask you to click a button like “Start Test” or “Check Ads.”
  2. Wait a few seconds. The site will attempt to load various types of ads, including banner ads, video ads, pop-ups, and location-based ads.
  3. Look at the results. If you don’t see the ads, great! Your ad blocker is working. If some ads still appear, your blocker missed them.
  4. Check the report (if available). Some testers give you a score or a list which ads that they block and which ones they don’t. This helps you assess the effectiveness of your ad blocker.
  5. Try checking your IP info with a tool like geo targeting software. It immediately tells you which ads it blocks and which ones it allows. It also shows what websites can learn about your country or city based on your IP address. If ads know where you are, they might still appear.

Ready to try it? Next, we’ll show you some of the best sites for doing these tests.

Popular Ad Block Test Sites

Here are a few leading ad block test sites that are easy to use and perform well. Just open one. In a few seconds, you’ll see if your blocker is really keeping those ads away or just pretending to.

Geoplugin’s screenshot of the website “ad block tester”

1. AdBlock-Tester

AdBlock-Tester is a website that helps you verify if your ad blocker is working properly. It shows different kinds of ads, such as banners, GIFs, and personal ads from Google or Yandex. It also checks for trackers. These are small tools that try to follow what you do online.

Wondering how to check AdBlock in Chrome? Just go to the AdBlock-Tester website with your ad blocker turned on. That’s it. It works in Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and other browsers too.

After a few seconds, you’ll see a score out of 100. The higher the score, the better your blocker is doing. If your score is low, try a different blocker. No downloads. No setup. Just open the page and check.

Geoplugin’s screenshot of the website “Test Ad Block by d3ward”.

2. Test Ad Block by d3ward

D3ward’s Adblock test tool is comprehensive. It tests against a large number of ad networks and hosts. The categories it tests include ads, analytics, error trackers, social trackers, mix, and OEMs.

The tests with red colors indicate failed tests, meaning your adblocker could not block them. In contrast, green indicates successful testing. At the top, the site shows the success percentage of your ad blocker.

Geoplugin’s screenshot of the website “Can you block it?”

3. Can You Block It

This adblock tester offers three tiers of tests, from basic to advanced. The basic tier tests for a few basic self-hosted ads. It shows ads in specified boxes and asks whether you can see them, allowing you to evaluate your ad blocker manually. 

The eXtreme test runs many types of ads from third-party networks. These ads include banners, popups, pop-unders, push notifications, in-page push ads, and others. If you use the Pi-Hole ad blocker, you can evaluate its performance using this test. 

Potential Problems With Ad Block Tester Websites

Before you start testing, ensure your ad blocker is functioning properly. How to check if ad blocker is on? It’s easy! Just open your browser’s extensions. For example, in Chrome, click the little puzzle icon at the top right.

Now, another common issue.  Sometimes, your ad blocker is on, but ads still appear, like uninvited guests. Why? Because some ads are sneaky! They appear based on where you are or come straight from the website itself. These ads are harder to catch. If your blocker misses them, you can’t really fix that unless your blocker has settings to catch this kind of ad. If not, try using a different blocker or even add a second one. More blockers, fewer ads bothering you!

Another common headache is when the AdBlock tester gives you incorrect results. Sometimes your ad blocker blocks the testing site itself. Other times, browser extensions cause problems. What to do? Try the test in another browser. Alternatively, try disabling other extensions for a while to see if that helps.

Want to get to know your ad blocker better? Dive into its settings. Most blockers have a page where you can see what they block, when you last updated them, and how they work. It’s like checking the ad blocker’s diary!

FAQ

How can I check if an ad blocker is on?

For the fastest way to check, look for your blocker’s icon in the browser. Can you see it? That means the blocker is on! Another way is to visit a site with ads. Don’t see ads? That means everything is turned on and working.

How do I know if an ad blocker is safe?

Don’t download ad blockers from just any sites. Get them only from trusted sources, such as the Chrome Web Store or Firefox Add-ons. Check out and read other users’ reviews. If many people praise it — that’s a good sign. 

Can you still get a virus with an ad blocker?

Ad blockers catch many bad ads, but not all of them. Some viruses can sneak in. Always have an antivirus and be careful what links you click.

AdBlock Testers to the Rescue!

Now you know how to check ad blocker to quickly see if it really works. Adblock testers show which ads they block and which ones still get through. This matters because ads are getting smarter. They often show ads based on your location, which they determine using your IP address. That’s where geoPlugin comes in.

If you have a website or business, geoPlugin helps you collect information about your visitors. You learn where they come from, their city or country, and even their internet provider. With this info, you can show ads to the right people. They will be less likely to use adblock against your content.

So, don’t forget to test your ad blocker, and if you run a business, consider using geoPlugin. Easy and smart!

author avatar
GeoPlugin Team
The GeoPlugin Team is a dedicated group of seasoned writers, and tech enthusiasts committed to making geolocation technology accessible to all web users. Our team combines expertise in digital advertising, IP geolocation, and web development. They also have a history in digital marketing, specializing in writing content about the tech industry, AI, and cybersecurity. At GeoPlugin, we understand the importance of knowing where your visitors are located to enhance website functionality and user experience. Our blog team’s articles provide you with the knowledge to leverage geolocation data effectively.