What your adblock score means
The score summarizes how many representative test probes were blocked by your current browser and network setup. A request can be stopped by an extension, built-in browser protection, VPN filtering, private DNS, Pi-hole, NextDNS, router rules, or several layers together.
To get a useful result, check your adblock score in the browser and network you normally use. Wait until all categories finish. The percentage is a summary; the category and host details explain where protection is strong or weak.
Read the result in context
A higher score means more of the tested requests were blocked. It is not a universal privacy grade and does not measure every type of advertising or data collection.
Blocked result explained
Blocked means the test request failed, was intercepted, or could not reach the target host. For that probe, the active protection prevented normal access. A blocked tracker host is evidence of protection against that representative endpoint.
The page may not know which tool caused the block. DNS filtering, an extension, and a VPN can produce the same visible outcome. Consult product logs when you need attribution.
Reachable or unblocked result explained
Reachable means the host appeared accessible from the current browser and network. It does not prove that a visible ad was displayed or that personal data was collected. It shows that this particular network request was not stopped during the test.
Review whether the reachable host belongs to ads, analytics, social tracking, or another category. One reachable endpoint is different from an entire category passing through unchanged.
Mixed category result explained
A mixed category contains both blocked and reachable probes. This is common because tools use different filter lists, rule syntax, update schedules, and breakage policies. Some hosts may be shared with legitimate services or intentionally allowed.
Mixed does not automatically mean the blocker failed. Look for patterns: a category with nearly all probes blocked is different from one with only a small blocked fraction. Compare results after focused configuration changes.
What a 100% score means
A 100% score means every probe included in that test run was blocked. It is a strong result for the covered hosts and categories. It can confirm that the current combined setup provides broad protection against those representative requests.
The result applies to that browser session, network path, and moment. A different device, private window, VPN connection, or DNS configuration may produce another score.
What a 100% score does not prove
It does not guarantee every advertisement, tracker, or anti-adblock script on the internet will be blocked. First-party ads, native sponsorships, promoted posts, and video ads can use the same domains as normal content. Server-side tracking may not create an observable browser request.
A perfect score is not proof of anonymity or a complete privacy audit. Fingerprinting, account activity, cookies, and data shared directly with a site require different checks and controls.
Why different blockers get different scores
Products make different tradeoffs. Browser extensions can inspect detailed request context and hide page elements. DNS filters work across more apps but decide mainly by hostname. Built-in browser protection may prioritize compatibility, while aggressive modes block more resources.
Enabled lists, custom rules, allowlists, private-window permissions, browser versions, and VPN settings also affect the outcome. The adblock working guide shows how to create a clean comparison.
Ads, trackers, and analytics are separate
Visible advertising is only one category. Analytics tools measure visits and conversions; social trackers connect page activity to platform services; error and vendor telemetry report performance or product usage. A blocker may treat each category differently.
Use the category breakdown to decide what you want to change. Enabling a privacy list may improve trackers without affecting a first-party ad. DNS rules may block a host without removing its visual placeholder.
How to improve your score
- Confirm protection is enabled in the browser and on the test site.
- Update the blocker and its maintained filter lists.
- Review acceptable-ad options, site exceptions, and custom allow rules.
- Check private-window permissions if that mode scores differently.
- Verify that your VPN, Pi-hole, or private DNS is actually on the network path.
- Make one change, rerun the test, and compare categories.
If results remain unexpectedly weak, use the troubleshooting checklist. Avoid adding every list simply to reach 100%; overly aggressive blocking can break legitimate site features.