How do I whitelist a filter in uBlock Origin?

To whitelist content in uBlock Origin, you typically either disable filtering for an entire website or create specific exceptions for individual elements or filters. The most common approach, often referred to as "whitelisting," involves disabling uBlock Origin's filtering for a particular site, allowing all its content to load without any blocking rules applying.

How to Whitelist an Entire Website in uBlock Origin

Whitelisting an entire website is the simplest and most common method to ensure a site functions correctly when it's otherwise broken by uBlock Origin's filters, or if you simply wish to support the website by allowing its ads.

For Standard uBlock Origin

Follow these straightforward steps to disable filtering for a specific website:

1. Navigate to the Website: Open the website you wish to whitelist in your browser.
2. Click the uBlock Origin Icon: Locate and click the uBlock Origin extension icon in your browser's toolbar. This will open the extension's dashboard pop-up.
3. Toggle the Power Button: In the dashboard, you'll see a large blue power button (or a shield icon with a power symbol). Click this button once.
   • The button will turn gray, indicating that uBlock Origin has been disabled for the current website.
   • The website will automatically reload, or you may need to refresh it manually, now free from uBlock Origin's filtering.
4. Confirm Whitelist: The site's domain will now appear in your uBlock Origin whitelist. To re-enable filtering, simply click the power button again.

For uBlock Origin Lite

For users of uBlock Origin Lite, the process involves a slightly different interface:

1. Open the Website: Go to the specific website you intend to whitelist.
2. Access Extensions: Click on your browser's Extensions button (often a puzzle piece icon or similar, located in the toolbar).
3. Select uBlock Origin Lite: From the list of extensions, choose uBlock Origin Lite.
4. Adjust Filtering Slider: Locate the slider within the uBlock Origin Lite interface. Pull this slider to the left to select No Filtering for the current site. This action will disable all blocking rules, effectively whitelisting the entire domain.

Why Whitelist a Site?

• Website Functionality: Some websites may break or not display correctly due to aggressive filtering.
• Support Content Creators: If you wish to support a site you frequent, whitelisting it allows their ad revenue.
• Access Restricted Content: Some sites detect ad blockers and restrict access until the blocker is disabled.

How to Whitelist a Specific Element or Filter Rule

While whitelisting an entire site is common, sometimes you might only want to allow a single element (like an image or script) or disable a specific filter rule without turning off all protection. This provides more granular control but is generally more advanced.

1. Using the Element Picker (for specific visual elements)

This method helps you unblock a visible element on a page that was blocked unintentionally:

1. Open the Website: Navigate to the page where the desired element is blocked.
2. Activate Element Picker: Click the uBlock Origin icon and then click the eyedropper icon (Element Picker) in the dashboard.
3. Select the Element: Hover your mouse over the element you wish to unblock. uBlock Origin will highlight elements as you move your cursor.
4. Create Exception: Once you've selected the correct element, click on it. A panel will appear allowing you to refine the selection. Instead of creating a blocking filter, you'll typically be looking to disable an existing filter or create an exception. If uBlock Origin suggests a filter to block it, you might need to adjust it or look for a way to add an exception rule in "My filters" manually if the element picker doesn't offer a direct unblock option.
   • Note: The element picker is primarily for creating blocking rules. For unblocking a specific element, it's often more direct to identify the blocked element through the logger and then add an exception to "My filters."

2. Adding Custom Exception Rules to "My Filters"

This is the most precise way to whitelist a specific filter or element, requiring a basic understanding of filter syntax.

1. Open uBlock Origin Dashboard: Click the uBlock Origin icon, then click the gear icon (Open the dashboard).
2. Go to "My Filters" Tab: In the dashboard, select the "My filters" tab.
3. Add Exception Rule: Add a specific exception rule using @@ syntax.
   • To unblock a specific domain (like whitelisting a site):
     @@||example.com^$document
     • This rule tells uBlock Origin to not block any document requests (i.e., the main page load) from example.com.
   • To unblock a specific script or element on a domain:
     @@||example.com/path/to/script.js^$script
     • This rule tells uBlock Origin to allow script.js to load on example.com.
   • To unblock a specific type of content on a domain:
     @@||example.com^$image
     • This allows all images on example.com to load, even if a general filter would block them.
4. Apply Changes: After adding your rule(s), click "Apply changes".

Comparison of Whitelisting Methods

Here’s a quick overview of the different approaches to whitelisting in uBlock Origin:

Feature	Whitelisting an Entire Website	Whitelisting a Specific Element/Filter Rule
Method	Toggle uBlock Origin off for the current site	Add exception rule to "My filters"
Scope	All content and filters disabled for the domain	Only specified element or filter is bypassed
Control Level	Broad (all filters disabled)	Granular (only selected element is allowed)
Ease of Use	Very easy, one-click operation	Moderate to advanced, requires filter syntax knowledge
Common Use Case	Fixing site breakage, supporting a website	Resolving minor display issues, allowing specific functionalities

By understanding these methods, you can effectively manage what uBlock Origin blocks or allows, tailoring your browsing experience to your exact needs. For more detailed information on filter syntax and advanced configurations, refer to the uBlock Origin Wiki.