Hacking MySpace: Block ads, disable custom layouts
MySpace is a terrible, terrible website. It’s kind of an embarassment to mankind that it’s gotten so popular, seeing as it’s one of the most unintuive, poorly designed sites on the web.
That said, lots and lots of people are on it, so maybe you can’t avoid it. (I try but I fail.) If you can’t avoid it, at least make it usable. Here’s what I do.
Prerequisites
- Firefox — not Internet Explorer
- Greasemonkey — an extension for Firefox that lets you modify the look/feel/features of websites. If you don’t already have it, install this extension, then restart Firefox to make it active.
Hacks
All of the following scripts require Greasemonkey.
- MySpace custom style remover — no more annoying backgrounds and fonts on users’ profiles. No custom layouts. The default look and feel. Thank God.
- Automatic MySpace media remover — disables loading videos, audio, etc. unless you specifically request to see them.
Ad blocking
There are some MySpace-specific ad blockers out there, but the best route is probably to use Adblock and configure it to block MySpace ads.
- Install Adblock. (You can use this for sites other than MySpace, too; it’s a great extension.)
- Save these MySpace ad filters as a text file on your hard drive.
- Import the filters into Adblock.
- Hit CTRL-SHIFT-P to bring up the Adblock window
- Click the Adblock Options text at top-right, select “Import filters…” and select the filters text file you saved.
Note: as MySpace adds new advertisers, that list of filters may become incomplete.
A final note
I don’t know if ad blocking violates MySpace’s TOS. I’m not endorsing behavior — just telling you how to do things. I will tell you that this will definitely improve your MySpace experience and make pages load about 5x faster!
Many more MySpace Greasemonkey scripts are available.
Also, I will not offer support for this entry. I will not tell you how to install an extension or troubleshoot any problems you have. You’re on your own. But do feel free to post comments about other hacks for MySpace.
September 1st, 2007 at 1:26 pm
How is this supposed to work?!
type: assoc .exe=.txt
press enter
type:assoc .cmd=.txt
press enter
type:ping:myspace.com (email your hacking)
press enter
type:ping:myspace.com (desired password)
presto chango
I disagree with it.
That’s just me, though.
September 18th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
please remove myspace pop ups from my screename. i use this for school and really get tired of the pop ups for advertisments.
September 18th, 2007 at 6:34 pm
please remove all myspace pop ups from my screen names. I use this computer for school and it just bothers me to much.
October 2nd, 2007 at 3:23 pm
k………s
November 4th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
You are blessed among the denizens of Myspace, especially those of us who can not seem to help being there by default. Thank you for the great tips, I shall hold them close and use them always!
January 4th, 2008 at 1:25 am
Right on target. Thanks.
I have to agree about how badly these social networking sites are designed.
I have to wonder if these people just hack on new features as they get the ideas or if they ever studied user interfaces at all.
February 25th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
HOW DO HACK SUMONEBUDY
March 6th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
AHHHHH!!! FINALLY!!! i bless, praise, and worship to you!
June 1st, 2008 at 9:54 pm
There are actually a few different ones out there. I have been giving this software a go and see how it pans out.
You have a great site and i return to it ever now and then as i find the time.
September 7th, 2008 at 11:00 am
adblock plus can hide the entire sidebar ad area (regardless of advertiser) with this:
#*(marketingbox)