Firefox is showing websites I have not asked for on Google
Since just recently, when I google anything other than a specific site (and then sometimes), Firefox puts up above it a whole string of "answers" that are mainly adverts (but not marked as such), irrelevant and don't even contain the search term. This junk pushes my wanted results half way down the page or more, quite often.
Not only this, but the kind of site i am looking for appears first, and then swiftly following it, but appearing above, come the intrusive advert sites - so I go to hit the site I want, and end up clicking an unwanted site that springs up under my cursor. I am learning to be more cautious.
Just now a string of holiday sites came up above my wanted entries - nothing to do with holidays or locations or shopping at all.
This does not appear to happen on Google on other browsers, though I only have a limited sample.
Is this something I can fix in Firefox, or is it a Google problem?
Thank you for any insights.
Chosen solution
it might be adware on your system - you could try to refresh firefox and see if that's helping: Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings
Read this answer in context 👍 1All Replies (6)
Are you referring to the Google search results page or the list of suggested search terms that displays on the Firefox address bar?
One possible culprit would be an extension. You can view, disable, and often remove unwanted or unknown extensions on the Add-ons page. Either:
- Ctrl+Shift+a (Mac: Command+Shift+a)
- "3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Add-ons
- type or paste about:addons in the address bar and press Enter/Return
In the left column of the Add-ons page, click Extensions.
Then cast a critical eye over the list on the right side. Any extensions Firefox installs for built-in features are hidden from this page, so everything listed here is your choice (and your responsibility) to manage. Anything suspicious or that you just do not remember installing or why? If in doubt, disable (or remove).
Any improvement?
Thank you for your suggestions. I will investigate. I have not extended Firefox in any way other than getting the Restore Deleted Tap add on working again.
It's the Google search results page.
Until recently it would just display two or three unrequested results with an "ad" icon next to them. Now whole lists of stuff (with no marker). We haven't changed anything as far as I know.
Chosen Solution
it might be adware on your system - you could try to refresh firefox and see if that's helping: Refresh Firefox - reset add-ons and settings
Before refreshing Firefox, I'd probably recommend just running an adware cleaner. AdwCleaner from Malwarebytes is a good free cleaner that can usually detect and fix issues that may be giving you ads.
Thank you all. We tried some of these but in the end it was Refreshing that seems to have fixed it.