How to Stop Websites From Sending Annoying Notifications in Chrome

If websites keep sending unwanted notifications through Chrome, you usually do not need to uninstall the browser or disable all computer notifications. Chrome has per-site notification controls.

Review Chrome’s notification permissions

On a computer, open Chrome, select the three-dot menu, then Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Notifications.

Chrome lets you control the default behavior for sites and review sites that have specific permission to send notifications. If a site you no longer trust or want appears in the allowed list, change its permission to Block or remove the permission so Chrome can ask again later.

Menu wording can change as Chrome is updated, but Google’s current help documentation places notification controls under Site settings.

Do not approve prompts automatically

A website notification is permission for that site to send browser notifications after you leave the page. It is not the same thing as subscribing to email, and a site generally does not need notification permission merely for you to read it.

If a page says you must click Allow to prove you are human, download a file, or continue to ordinary content, be cautious. Do not grant notification permission merely because a page pressures you to do so.

If the notifications look like virus warnings

Browser notifications can be designed to look frightening. A notification claiming your computer is infected is not proof that the website has actually scanned your device.

Do not call a phone number, install remote-access software, or buy security software because an unsolicited browser alert tells you to. Close the notification, review the site’s permission in Chrome, and use your operating system’s trusted security tools if you have a genuine reason to suspect malware.

Chrome controls versus operating-system controls

Chrome’s site settings decide which websites may send browser notifications. Windows, macOS, Android, and other operating systems can separately control whether Chrome itself may display notifications.

Start with Chrome’s site permission when one particular website is the nuisance. Use the operating system’s notification settings when you want to change how Chrome notifications behave as a whole.

Confirm the change

After blocking the unwanted site, close its existing notifications. The site should no longer be allowed to generate new Chrome notifications under that permission. If unwanted alerts continue, return to the notification permission list and check for other unfamiliar sites you may have allowed.

Sources and Further Reading

Google Chrome Help — Use notifications to get alerts Google Chrome Help — Change site settings permissions Federal Trade Commission — How to spot, avoid, and report tech support scams