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Adpocalypse survival guide
“Kim, I am so sick and tired of all the ads on websites. It feels like they’ve gotten worse since ChatGPT is taking away site traffic from Google. How do I block the annoying ads?” — Terry in Ohio
Terry, you’re right. Websites are loading up with more ads than ever.
Pop-ups, auto-playing videos, banners that dance around while you’re just trying to read a recipe or check the news. It’s digital chaos.
Why? Because many sites are losing tremendous ad revenue in the 60% range from fewer clicks and fewer visitors. So they’re cramming in even more ads, hoping to squeeze out one more buck before you give up and close the tab.
But you don’t have to live like this. Here’s how to shut down the noise.
🔧 Start with your browser
Fight back, one browser setting at a time.
Chrome:
- Click the three dots (top right) > Settings > Privacy and security > Site Settings
- Scroll down and block pop-ups and redirects
Safari (Mac):
- Safari > Settings > Websites > Content Blockers
- It tries to get rid of pop-ups, trackers, auto-play videos and more
Firefox:
Fortify your life
🧑💻 From snoops to trackers, these tools give you peace of mind.
- 🔑 Fort Knox at home: This smart lock (42% off) unlocks automatically. Great when your hands are full.
- 🔎 I spy a creep: Whip out a hidden camera detector (33% off) at your next Airbnb. Catch bugs before they catch you.
- 🔒 OG security: Master Lock’s padlocks (15% off) still do the trick. Ideal for gym lockers.
- 📍 Lost your bag? Not with a slim smart card (10% off) that tracks your wallet right from your phone.
- 🐶 Tag that tail: A waterproof AirTag holder ($5.99) clips to your pup’s collar. Helps me keep track of my pup Bella.
🚨 Don’t stop lockin’: Dive into Amazon’s smart security gear, and hit up my shop for more handpicked privacy gadgets.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
It’s now or never for Kim’s ‘Prime’ picks
⏰ It’s the final countdown! Prime Day ends at midnight. If you’ve been waiting to pull the trigger, you’ve still got time to score big bargains. I’ve saved some of the best for last. Let’s get into it.
⌛ Don’t wait another minute! Your cart and your budget will thank you, unless saving money isn’t your thing.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
🔦 Let there be light: On iPhone, you can control your flashlight’s brightness. Open Control Center, press and hold the flashlight icon, and wait for the larger beam slider to appear. Slide up to brighten or down to dim. Bonus: If your model has a multi-LED flash, swipe left or right to adjust the beam’s focus.
🧠 Fight bots with bots: Getting fake iPhone charge alerts? Sketchy emails pretending to be PayPal? You’re not alone. The good news: PayPal’s new fraud-detecting AI is watching for this stuff in real time, and it’s getting freakishly good at it. Remember, it won’t catch all the scams though.
Is your iPhone too old to fix?
If Apple won’t even look at it, you might be past due for an upgrade. Here’s why.
80%
That’s how accurately one dog sniffed out Parkinson’s, just from skin oil. Wow, right? In a double-blind trial, a lab-golden mix nailed 32 out of 40 cases of a disease that normally takes years to diagnose. No blood. No scans. Man’s best friend? More like neurology’s new MVP.
Spot a Facebook Marketplace scammer? Do the right thing and report them. Click the listing, then go to Seller details > Report > Scam. While you’re there, select Block [name] profile and Hide all from [name] to stop their posts from showing up again.
Anyone can snoop your home
Zillow isn’t just for house hunting. It’s a window into your financial life. Here’s how to take control of it.
📞 AI’s on the line, fur real: Google’s Gemini bots can now phone your local pet groomer for you. Ask about prices, availability or just vibe checks, all without saying a word yourself. Only in the U.S., only for certain biz types (pet stuff, dry cleaners, auto shops), and yes, businesses can opt out. Gemini Premium folks get more AI call credits, because obviously money talks, and now so does AI.
For your inner neat freak
✨ You bring the motivation, these gadgets bring the polish.
- 🌬️ “Alexa, clear the air”: Kick allergens and odors to the curb with a smart air purifier (48% off).
- 😌 Let’s face it: Your blackheads won’t clean themselves. This cleansing brush (33% off) massages them away.
- 🔥 Cooking catastrophe? Snag a cleaner kit (6% off) that won’t scratch glass cooktops. 4.6 stars & 23,000+ reviews.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
China’s spherical spybot is terrifying
It rolls like a tire, fires nets, and sprays tear gas. Plus, NASA lost pricey footage, Hertz nickel-and-dimes with tech, and McDonald’s big password problem. What’s your childhood home look like now? Google Maps lets you time travel. Let’s go!
Charlie Chaplin’s in theaters after 100 years
Charlie Chaplin famously rereleased his 1925 silent classic The Gold Rush in 1942 with new narration and edits, believing it would connect better with modern audiences. Now, thanks to film archivists and AI, the silent masterpiece has been painstakingly restored. The 4K version just premiered at Cannes and hit 250 theaters worldwide.
Batteries that don’t burn: Lithium batteries are super efficient and occasionally super explode-y. But researchers just made a version that stops itself from catching fire. When the battery gets too hot, built-in flame retardants release chemicals that shut down the reaction before it becomes a fireworks show. No flames. No smoke. No 30,000-gallon fire truck cameo. EVs really need this pronto.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Want to paste text without weird fonts, colors or sizes? On Windows, press Ctrl + Shift + V. On Mac, hit Cmd + Option + Shift + V. Works in most apps.
Make $80K a year renting out your yard — July 12th, Hour 1
I talk to a guy who makes big money with his unused space through the Neighbor app. Here’s how you can do it, too. Plus, the demise of Google, Apple vs. p*rn, and the first foldable iPhone. Also, how sending out a smiley face could save your relationship.
Virtual party list
🥳 Hosting or heading to a get-together? Let’s get the fun started.
- 🎁 Wrapping, handled: This double-sided organizer (28% off) keeps your gift bags, ribbons and bows tidy.
- 🍷 Pop, pour, press: All with a four-in-one wine opener (15% off) that aerates and seals when the party’s over.
- 🍫 More like fun-do: NutriChef’s electric fondue pot (8% off) makes gooey goodness in minutes.
- 🚀 Vibes in overdrive: Bring the night sky indoors with a galaxy light projector (19% off). 4.4 stars and 7,000+ reviews.
- ⛺ “No adults allowed” zone: From playing to reading, this kid’s canopy (28% off) gives ’em a cozy space to do it.
🛍️ Still stumped? I got you. An e-gift card is a great last-minute idea. And don’t forget, more gift-worthy finds are on my Amazon store.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
🍏 Rename multiple files on Mac: Got a folder full of random file names like IMG_2348? Select them all with Cmd + A, right-click and choose Rename. In the drop-downs, pick Format, then Name and Index and type something like “Hawaii” under Custom Format. Set Start numbers at 1, and hit Rename.
💺 This idea is taking off: Forget flying on Wednesdays to save money on airfare. Delta’s letting AI set airfare based on what you personally might pay, i.e., how likely you are to cough up more money based on past purchases. About 3% of tickets use AI already. By year-end? 20%.