I'm trying to configure Pi-hole to strike a balance between usability and aggressive ad/tracker blocking, particularly for Reddit and Pinterest. However, I'm running into some frustrating issues and would appreciate advice from experienced Pi-hole users.
1. Reddit – Broken browsing and app functionality
I want to access Reddit normally through both the browser and Android app while blocking as many advertisements, trackers and unnecessary domains as possible.
Currently, my configuration causes the following problems:
- Browser: Reddit loads in a broken or partially rendered state.
- Content: Posts, comments and other content sometimes fail to load entirely.
- Android app: Uploads, particularly images and other media, don't work properly.
- General usability: It seems that some domains required for Reddit's core functionality are being blocked alongside advertising and tracking domains.
I've added the following regex allow rules:
[^A-Za-z0-9]+.reddit.com[^A-Za-z0-9]+.redditmedia.com[^A-Za-z0-9]+.redd.itreddit.com
Despite these rules, Reddit still doesn't function reliably.
My question: What's the correct approach to allow Reddit's essential functionality (posts, comments, images, videos, uploads and media) without allowing its advertisements, tracking and promotional content?
Ideally, I'd like to avoid having to whitelist Reddit entirely.
2. Pinterest – Advertisements aren't being blocked
Pinterest is another headache.
Despite using Pi-hole and maintaining an updated blocklist configuration, advertisements continue appearing in the Android app.
I've also tried accessing Pinterest through a VPN, but the advertisements still load.
I've added the following regex allow rules for Pinterest-related domains:
However, these haven't resolved the advertising issue.
My question: Is Pinterest serving advertisements through the same domains it uses to deliver regular images and content? If so, is there a reliable way to distinguish and block advertisements without breaking images, pins, videos and other app functionality?
3. Current Pi-hole configuration
A few things worth mentioning:
- Pi-hole is fully updated, including its components and gravity database.
- I'm using multiple blocklists, including OISD, Hagezi Ultimate and Hagezi Threat Intelligence.
- I've also added a dedicated Pinterest blocklist.
- The relevant allowlist entries are enabled.
- I've included screenshots of my current configuration for reference.
What I'm ultimately trying to achieve:
- Fully functional Reddit on browsers and Android, including media uploads.
- Block Reddit advertisements, trackers and promotional junk.
- Fully functional Pinterest without advertisements.
- Avoid excessive whitelisting that defeats the purpose of running Pi-hole.
I'd appreciate recommendations for specific allowlist/blocklist entries, regex rules, configuration changes or alternative approaches.
Is this realistically achievable with DNS-level blocking, or have I reached the limitations of what Pi-hole can do with these platforms?
Thanks in advance!
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