diff --git a/app/device_manager.py b/app/device_manager.py
index 10e780b..3b44830 100644
--- a/app/device_manager.py
+++ b/app/device_manager.py
@@ -1156,6 +1156,14 @@ class DeviceManager:
             pass
         return False
 
+    def _is_auto_ignore_new_adverts_enabled(self) -> bool:
+        """Check if new adverts should be auto-marked as Ignored (from database)."""
+        try:
+            return bool(self.db.get_setting_json('auto_ignore_new_adverts', False))
+        except Exception:
+            pass
+        return False
+
     async def _on_new_contact(self, event):
         """Handle new contact discovered.
 
@@ -1247,6 +1255,15 @@ class DeviceManager:
                     source='advert',  # cache-only until approved
                 )
 
+                # Auto-ignore: mark as ignored so it never shows up as pending
+                if self._is_auto_ignore_new_adverts_enabled():
+                    try:
+                        self.db.set_contact_ignored(pubkey, True)
+                        logger.info(f"Auto-ignored new advert: {name} ({pubkey[:8]}...)")
+                    except Exception as e:
+                        logger.warning(f"Failed to auto-ignore {pubkey[:8]}: {e}")
+                    return  # no socket emit -> no badge -> no notification
+
                 if self.socketio:
                     self.socketio.emit('pending_contact', {
                         'public_key': pubkey,
diff --git a/app/routes/api.py b/app/routes/api.py
index 4d8a26a..0ee177e 100644
--- a/app/routes/api.py
+++ b/app/routes/api.py
@@ -3753,6 +3753,85 @@ def update_device_settings_api():
         }), 500
 
 
+@api_bp.route('/contacts/settings', methods=['GET'])
+def get_contacts_settings_api():
+    """Get contact-management UI/behaviour settings.
+
+    Returns:
+        {
+            "success": true,
+            "settings": {
+                "manual_add_contacts": bool,
+                "suppress_advert_notifications": bool,
+                "auto_ignore_new_adverts": bool
+            }
+        }
+    """
+    try:
+        success, dev_settings = cli.get_device_settings()
+        manual = bool(dev_settings.get('manual_add_contacts', False)) if success else False
+
+        db = _get_db()
+        suppress = bool(db.get_setting_json('suppress_advert_notifications', False)) if db else False
+        auto_ignore = bool(db.get_setting_json('auto_ignore_new_adverts', False)) if db else False
+
+        return jsonify({
+            'success': True,
+            'settings': {
+                'manual_add_contacts': manual,
+                'suppress_advert_notifications': suppress,
+                'auto_ignore_new_adverts': auto_ignore,
+            }
+        }), 200
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.error(f"Error getting contacts settings: {e}")
+        return jsonify({'success': False, 'error': str(e)}), 500
+
+
+@api_bp.route('/contacts/settings', methods=['POST'])
+def update_contacts_settings_api():
+    """Update one or more contact-management settings (partial payload allowed).
+
+    JSON body keys (all optional):
+        manual_add_contacts: bool          -> applied to device + persisted
+        suppress_advert_notifications: bool -> persisted (frontend-only behaviour)
+        auto_ignore_new_adverts: bool      -> persisted, used by device_manager
+    """
+    try:
+        data = request.get_json() or {}
+        if not isinstance(data, dict):
+            return jsonify({'success': False, 'error': 'Invalid payload'}), 400
+
+        db = _get_db()
+
+        if 'manual_add_contacts' in data:
+            val = data['manual_add_contacts']
+            if not isinstance(val, bool):
+                return jsonify({'success': False, 'error': 'manual_add_contacts must be a boolean'}), 400
+            success, message = cli.set_manual_add_contacts(val)
+            if not success:
+                return jsonify({'success': False, 'error': message}), 500
+
+        if 'suppress_advert_notifications' in data:
+            val = data['suppress_advert_notifications']
+            if not isinstance(val, bool):
+                return jsonify({'success': False, 'error': 'suppress_advert_notifications must be a boolean'}), 400
+            if db:
+                db.set_setting_json('suppress_advert_notifications', val)
+
+        if 'auto_ignore_new_adverts' in data:
+            val = data['auto_ignore_new_adverts']
+            if not isinstance(val, bool):
+                return jsonify({'success': False, 'error': 'auto_ignore_new_adverts must be a boolean'}), 400
+            if db:
+                db.set_setting_json('auto_ignore_new_adverts', val)
+
+        return jsonify({'success': True}), 200
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.error(f"Error updating contacts settings: {e}")
+        return jsonify({'success': False, 'error': str(e)}), 500
+
+
 # =============================================================================
 # Message Retention Settings
 # =============================================================================
diff --git a/app/static/js/app.js b/app/static/js/app.js
index 969a2af..02bef85 100644
--- a/app/static/js/app.js
+++ b/app/static/js/app.js
@@ -451,8 +451,9 @@ function connectChatSocket() {
         }, 2000);
     });
 
-    // Real-time pending contact — update badge
+    // Real-time pending contact — update badge (unless suppressed by user setting)
     chatSocket.on('pending_contact', () => {
+        if (window.contactsSettings?.suppress_advert_notifications) return;
         updatePendingContactsBadge();
     });
 
@@ -2325,6 +2326,7 @@ document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', () => {
             loadDmRetrySettings();
             loadChatSettings();
             loadUiSettings();
+            loadContactsSettings();
         });
         settingsModal.addEventListener('shown.bs.modal', () => {
             settingsModal.querySelectorAll('[data-bs-toggle="tooltip"]').forEach(el => {
@@ -2333,6 +2335,20 @@ document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', () => {
         });
     }
 
+    // Contacts tab toggle handlers
+    document.getElementById('settManualApproval')?.addEventListener('change', (e) => {
+        saveContactsSetting('manual_add_contacts', e.target.checked, e.target);
+    });
+    document.getElementById('settSuppressAdvertNotifs')?.addEventListener('change', (e) => {
+        saveContactsSetting('suppress_advert_notifications', e.target.checked, e.target);
+    });
+    document.getElementById('settAutoIgnoreAdverts')?.addEventListener('change', (e) => {
+        saveContactsSetting('auto_ignore_new_adverts', e.target.checked, e.target);
+    });
+
+    // Initial load so suppress flag is available before user opens Settings
+    loadContactsSettings();
+
     const dmRetryForm = document.getElementById('dmRetrySettingsForm');
     if (dmRetryForm) {
         dmRetryForm.addEventListener('submit', (e) => {
@@ -2606,6 +2622,90 @@ async function handleNotificationToggle() {
     }
 }
 
+// =============================================================================
+// Contacts Settings (Settings modal → Contacts tab)
+// =============================================================================
+
+window.contactsSettings = {
+    manual_add_contacts: false,
+    suppress_advert_notifications: false,
+    auto_ignore_new_adverts: false,
+};
+
+async function loadContactsSettings() {
+    try {
+        const resp = await fetch('/api/contacts/settings');
+        if (!resp.ok) return;
+        const data = await resp.json();
+        if (!data.success) return;
+        const s = data.settings || {};
+        window.contactsSettings = {
+            manual_add_contacts: !!s.manual_add_contacts,
+            suppress_advert_notifications: !!s.suppress_advert_notifications,
+            auto_ignore_new_adverts: !!s.auto_ignore_new_adverts,
+        };
+        const m = document.getElementById('settManualApproval');
+        const s1 = document.getElementById('settSuppressAdvertNotifs');
+        const s2 = document.getElementById('settAutoIgnoreAdverts');
+        if (m) m.checked = window.contactsSettings.manual_add_contacts;
+        if (s1) s1.checked = window.contactsSettings.suppress_advert_notifications;
+        if (s2) s2.checked = window.contactsSettings.auto_ignore_new_adverts;
+        applyContactsSettingsEnableState(window.contactsSettings.manual_add_contacts);
+        // If suppress was just turned on while page open, clear the FAB badge now
+        if (window.contactsSettings.suppress_advert_notifications) {
+            updateFabBadge('.fab-contacts', 'fab-badge-pending', 0);
+        }
+    } catch (e) {
+        console.error('Error loading contacts settings:', e);
+    }
+}
+
+function applyContactsSettingsEnableState(manualOn) {
+    const s1 = document.getElementById('settSuppressAdvertNotifs');
+    const s2 = document.getElementById('settAutoIgnoreAdverts');
+    const l1 = document.getElementById('settSuppressAdvertNotifsLabel');
+    const l2 = document.getElementById('settAutoIgnoreAdvertsLabel');
+    [s1, s2].forEach(el => {
+        if (!el) return;
+        el.disabled = !manualOn;
+    });
+    [l1, l2].forEach(el => {
+        if (!el) return;
+        el.classList.toggle('text-muted', !manualOn);
+    });
+}
+
+async function saveContactsSetting(key, value, inputEl) {
+    try {
+        const resp = await fetch('/api/contacts/settings', {
+            method: 'POST',
+            headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+            body: JSON.stringify({ [key]: value }),
+        });
+        const data = await resp.json().catch(() => ({}));
+        if (!resp.ok || !data.success) {
+            if (inputEl) inputEl.checked = !value;
+            showNotification(data.error || 'Failed to save setting', 'danger');
+            return;
+        }
+        window.contactsSettings[key] = !!value;
+        if (key === 'manual_add_contacts') {
+            applyContactsSettingsEnableState(!!value);
+        }
+        if (key === 'suppress_advert_notifications' && value) {
+            updateFabBadge('.fab-contacts', 'fab-badge-pending', 0);
+        }
+        if (key === 'suppress_advert_notifications' && !value) {
+            // Re-fetch real count when re-enabling notifications
+            updatePendingContactsBadge();
+        }
+    } catch (e) {
+        console.error('Error saving contacts setting:', e);
+        if (inputEl) inputEl.checked = !value;
+        showNotification('Network error saving setting', 'danger');
+    }
+}
+
 /**
  * Send browser notification when new messages arrive
  * @param {number} channelCount - Number of channels with new messages
@@ -2679,9 +2779,11 @@ function checkAndNotify() {
     const dmBadge = document.querySelector('.fab-badge-dm');
     const currentDmUnread = dmBadge ? parseInt(dmBadge.textContent) || 0 : 0;
 
-    // Get pending contacts count from badge
+    // Get pending contacts count from badge (forced to 0 when notifications are suppressed)
     const pendingBadge = document.querySelector('.fab-badge-pending');
-    const currentPendingCount = pendingBadge ? parseInt(pendingBadge.textContent) || 0 : 0;
+    const rawPendingCount = pendingBadge ? parseInt(pendingBadge.textContent) || 0 : 0;
+    const currentPendingCount = window.contactsSettings?.suppress_advert_notifications
+        ? 0 : rawPendingCount;
 
     // Detect increases (new messages/contacts)
     const channelIncrease = currentTotalUnread > previousTotalUnread;
@@ -4033,6 +4135,13 @@ function updateDmBadges(totalUnread) {
  */
 async function updatePendingContactsBadge() {
     try {
+        // Suppress: hide FAB badge entirely, skip browser notification path
+        if (window.contactsSettings?.suppress_advert_notifications) {
+            updateFabBadge('.fab-contacts', 'fab-badge-pending', 0);
+            updateAppBadge();
+            return;
+        }
+
         // Load type filter from localStorage (uses same function as contacts.js)
         const savedTypes = loadPendingTypeFilter();
 
diff --git a/app/static/js/contacts.js b/app/static/js/contacts.js
index 2725dba..77848c5 100644
--- a/app/static/js/contacts.js
+++ b/app/static/js/contacts.js
@@ -77,7 +77,6 @@ window.navigateTo = function(url) {
 // =============================================================================
 
 let currentPage = null; // 'manage', 'pending', 'existing'
-let manualApprovalEnabled = false;
 let pendingContacts = [];
 let filteredPendingContacts = []; // Filtered pending contacts (for pending page filtering)
 let existingContacts = [];
@@ -210,9 +209,6 @@ function initializePage() {
 function initManagePage() {
     console.log('Initializing Management page...');
 
-    // Load settings for manual approval toggle
-    loadSettings();
-
     // Load contact counts for badges
     loadContactCounts();
 
@@ -224,12 +220,6 @@ function initManagePage() {
 }
 
 function attachManageEventListeners() {
-    // Manual approval toggle
-    const approvalSwitch = document.getElementById('manualApprovalSwitch');
-    if (approvalSwitch) {
-        approvalSwitch.addEventListener('change', handleApprovalToggle);
-    }
-
     // Cleanup preview button
     const cleanupPreviewBtn = document.getElementById('cleanupPreviewBtn');
     if (cleanupPreviewBtn) {
@@ -945,82 +935,6 @@ function attachExistingEventListeners() {
     }
 }
 
-// =============================================================================
-// Settings Management (shared)
-// =============================================================================
-
-async function loadSettings() {
-    try {
-        const response = await fetch('/api/device/settings');
-        const data = await response.json();
-
-        if (data.success) {
-            manualApprovalEnabled = data.settings.manual_add_contacts || false;
-            updateApprovalUI(manualApprovalEnabled);
-        } else {
-            console.error('Failed to load settings:', data.error);
-            showToast('Failed to load settings', 'danger');
-        }
-    } catch (error) {
-        console.error('Error loading settings:', error);
-        showToast('Network error loading settings', 'danger');
-    }
-}
-
-async function handleApprovalToggle(event) {
-    const enabled = event.target.checked;
-
-    try {
-        const response = await fetch('/api/device/settings', {
-            method: 'POST',
-            headers: {
-                'Content-Type': 'application/json'
-            },
-            body: JSON.stringify({
-                manual_add_contacts: enabled
-            })
-        });
-
-        const data = await response.json();
-
-        if (data.success) {
-            manualApprovalEnabled = enabled;
-            updateApprovalUI(enabled);
-            showToast(
-                enabled ? 'Manual approval enabled' : 'Manual approval disabled',
-                'success'
-            );
-        } else {
-            console.error('Failed to update setting:', data.error);
-            showToast('Failed to update setting: ' + data.error, 'danger');
-
-            // Revert toggle on failure
-            event.target.checked = !enabled;
-        }
-    } catch (error) {
-        console.error('Error updating setting:', error);
-        showToast('Network error updating setting', 'danger');
-
-        // Revert toggle on failure
-        event.target.checked = !enabled;
-    }
-}
-
-function updateApprovalUI(enabled) {
-    const switchEl = document.getElementById('manualApprovalSwitch');
-    const labelEl = document.getElementById('switchLabel');
-
-    if (switchEl) {
-        switchEl.checked = enabled;
-    }
-
-    if (labelEl) {
-        labelEl.textContent = enabled
-            ? 'Manual approval enabled'
-            : 'Automatic approval (default)';
-    }
-}
-
 // =============================================================================
 // Protected Contacts Management
 // =============================================================================
diff --git a/app/templates/base.html b/app/templates/base.html
index 1d64f91..ae76df8 100644
--- a/app/templates/base.html
+++ b/app/templates/base.html
@@ -385,6 +385,9 @@
                         <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
                             <button class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-target="#tabSettingsAppearance" type="button">Appearance</button>
                         </li>
+                        <li class="nav-item" role="presentation">
+                            <button class="nav-link" data-bs-toggle="tab" data-bs-target="#tabSettingsContacts" type="button">Contacts</button>
+                        </li>
                     </ul>
                     <div class="tab-content">
                         <!-- Device Settings Tab -->
@@ -679,6 +682,45 @@
                                 </tbody>
                             </table>
                         </div>
+                        <div class="tab-pane fade" id="tabSettingsContacts">
+                            <table class="table table-sm table-borderless mb-0 align-middle">
+                                <tbody>
+                                    <tr>
+                                        <td class="ps-0">Manual approval enabled
+                                            <span class="badge rounded-pill text-muted" data-bs-toggle="tooltip"
+                                                title="When enabled, new contacts must be manually approved before they can communicate with your node"><i class="bi bi-info-circle"></i></span>
+                                        </td>
+                                        <td class="pe-0">
+                                            <div class="form-check form-switch mb-0">
+                                                <input class="form-check-input" type="checkbox" id="settManualApproval">
+                                            </div>
+                                        </td>
+                                    </tr>
+                                    <tr>
+                                        <td class="ps-0" id="settSuppressAdvertNotifsLabel">Suppress new advert notifications
+                                            <span class="badge rounded-pill text-muted" data-bs-toggle="tooltip"
+                                                title="Hide the badge over Contact Management and the browser notification when new pending contacts arrive. The Pending Contacts list itself still shows them. Requires Manual approval ON."><i class="bi bi-info-circle"></i></span>
+                                        </td>
+                                        <td class="pe-0">
+                                            <div class="form-check form-switch mb-0">
+                                                <input class="form-check-input" type="checkbox" id="settSuppressAdvertNotifs">
+                                            </div>
+                                        </td>
+                                    </tr>
+                                    <tr>
+                                        <td class="ps-0" id="settAutoIgnoreAdvertsLabel">Automatically add new contacts to "Ignored"
+                                            <span class="badge rounded-pill text-muted" data-bs-toggle="tooltip"
+                                                title="Every new advert is automatically marked as Ignored — no notifications, no badge. Contacts still appear under Existing Contacts (Cache) and can be promoted with 'To Device'. Requires Manual approval ON."><i class="bi bi-info-circle"></i></span>
+                                        </td>
+                                        <td class="pe-0">
+                                            <div class="form-check form-switch mb-0">
+                                                <input class="form-check-input" type="checkbox" id="settAutoIgnoreAdverts">
+                                            </div>
+                                        </td>
+                                    </tr>
+                                </tbody>
+                            </table>
+                        </div>
                     </div>
                 </div>
             </div>
diff --git a/app/templates/contacts-manage.html b/app/templates/contacts-manage.html
index 5e529a9..0ca5511 100644
--- a/app/templates/contacts-manage.html
+++ b/app/templates/contacts-manage.html
@@ -4,34 +4,8 @@
 
 {% block page_content %}
 <div id="managePageContent" class="p-3">
-    <!-- Page Header -->
-    <div class="mb-4">
-        <h2 class="mb-1">
-            <i class="bi bi-gear"></i> Settings
-        </h2>
-        <p class="text-muted small mb-0">Configure contact management preferences</p>
-    </div>
-
-    <!-- Manual Approval Settings Section -->
-    <div class="compact-setting">
-        <div class="form-check form-switch mb-0 d-flex align-items-center gap-2">
-            <input class="form-check-input" type="checkbox" role="switch" id="manualApprovalSwitch" style="cursor: pointer; min-width: 3rem; min-height: 1.5rem;">
-            <label class="form-check-label mb-0" for="manualApprovalSwitch" style="cursor: pointer; font-weight: 500;">
-                <span id="switchLabel">Loading...</span>
-            </label>
-        </div>
-        <i class="bi bi-info-circle info-icon"
-           data-bs-toggle="tooltip"
-           data-bs-placement="top"
-           title="When enabled, new contacts must be manually approved before they can communicate with your node"></i>
-    </div>
-
     <!-- Navigation Section -->
     <div class="mb-4">
-        <h5 class="mb-3">
-            <i class="bi bi-list-ul"></i> Manage Contacts
-        </h5>
-
         <!-- Add Contact Card -->
         <div class="nav-card" onclick="navigateTo('/contacts/add');" style="border-left: 4px solid #198754;">
             <div>
@@ -56,7 +30,7 @@
         <div class="nav-card" onclick="navigateTo('/contacts/existing');">
             <div>
                 <h6><i class="bi bi-person-lines-fill"></i> Existing Contacts</h6>
-                <small class="text-muted">View and manage your approved contacts</small>
+                <small class="text-muted">Manage all stored contacts</small>
             </div>
             <span class="badge counter-badge counter-ok rounded-pill" id="existingBadge" style="font-size: 1.1rem;">
                 <span class="spinner-border spinner-border-sm" role="status" aria-hidden="true"></span>