How to Remove AdSense Arrows and Icons From Ads (and What Works in 2026)
Want to remove adsense arrows and advertiser icons from the ads on your site? In 2013 Google AdSense added large grey arrows and colourful advertiser favicons to text ads, and many publishers wanted the old, clean look back. This guide explains the 2013 setting that turned them off and what control you have over ad appearance in 2026.
Quick answer: In 2013 you could switch off “Enhanced text ads” under Allow and block ads, then Ad serving, to remove the arrows and icons. Today’s AdSense ads are responsive and designed by Google, and the current blocking controls don’t include a switch for arrows or icons. You can still block advertisers and ad categories, and review individual ads.
Table of Contents
Why AdSense added arrows and icons
Google AdSense often tests new features, like collapsible ad units or Twitter-style ad units, and rolls them out across all sites once they improve click-through rate and user experience. In 2013 these “Enhanced text ads” added a clickable arrow (nicknamed Nessie) and multicoloured advertiser favicons to draw attention to ads.
Many webmasters found them obtrusive and hard to blend with their site design. This screenshot shows how cluttered text ads looked at the time, even after we removed the +1 buttons from AdSense ads:
How to remove adsense arrows (the 2013 method)
In the 2013 AdSense dashboard, the steps were:
- Go to Allow & Block Ads and open Ad Serving.
- Find the option for Enhanced text ads.
- Switch it off to get plain text ads without arrows, icons or advertiser images.
This only affected text ads, not image ads, which fill the whole unit anyway. It was worth watching your CTR after turning it off, because arrows and coloured icons pull attention to ads and can encourage clicks. I would have preferred separate switches for arrows and icons, since some publishers liked one but not the other.
Controlling AdSense ad appearance in 2026
AdSense has changed a lot since then. Text and display ads are now mostly responsive, and Google decides the final design, so the old one-click setting for arrows and icons is not part of the blocking controls Google lists today. What you can do in your AdSense account:
- Ad review center: review ads that have shown on your pages and block individual ones.
- Advertiser URLs: block ads pointing to specific advertisers.
- General and sensitive categories: block broad groups of ads or topics you don’t want on your site.
- Ad serving settings: control options such as user-based ads.
- Auto ads formats: turn off formats you don’t like. See our guides to AdSense Auto ads and side rail ads.
Avoid editing the ad code or hiding parts of ads with CSS. Changing how ads display outside Google’s settings can break AdSense policies. For faster loading, use the standard asynchronous ad code as Google provides it.
FAQ
Can I still turn off arrows in AdSense ads?
The 2013 “Enhanced text ads” switch is not among the blocking controls Google lists today. Use the Ad review center and category blocks to control which ads appear.
What was the AdSense “Nessie” arrow?
It was the nickname for the large clickable arrow added to enhanced text ads in 2013 to make ads easier to click.
Can I hide AdSense icons with CSS?
It’s not a good idea. Modifying how ads display outside AdSense settings can break the program policies and put your account at risk.
Did turning off enhanced text ads lower earnings?
It varied by site. Arrows and icons attract attention, so some publishers saw fewer clicks after turning them off. Checking CTR before and after was the safest approach.
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This post is a life-saver. I’ve already started considering taking those ugly blocks down completely as the huge square arrow colors started changing unpredictably almost every day. I really prefer to have control over what shapes and colors appear on my sites. I’ve had much better CTR before the stupid innovations. And more importantly, when ad titles were still in bold.
well, I am gonna try it, thanks for this great tips
Hello,
this is great info you shared here. Thanks for great tips.
Great information, I always think that how I get rid of these arrows and icons on Adsense ads, but finally I know and I will definitely do on my blog.
Google had announced about these latest development on Adsense Blog . According to Google this change is made only to more proactively give users notice and choice about the ads they see..
Great,
This will make Google ads give a premium look and of course more CTR.
Useful things which can help a lot to attract visitors on your add and this option will show your add totally differently with others which is another benefit of this options.