How do I block downloading apps on the Play Store?

After having an Android phone for a few years, I really hate how apps that I haven't downloaded will sometimes try to download them.

Apps like the Chrome browser, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram keep trying to download them in the background, even if I have those services disabled in the settings. How do I block these apps from ever trying to download new ones?

Go to Settings> Apps > Application > Uninstall updates for all users > Select your app and check "Do not update". Or you can download and install third party app to block download of an app/app group.

How do I permanently block an app from installing?

Can it be done on a per-device level? Does it need to be done on an app level, or a per-installation level? Can you block all apps from installing, or only specific ones? Can you choose which apps can be installed? Do you have to root the phone, or is it possible to use a third-party app? Can you install/uninstall it, or does it need to be preinstalled? Do you need to have some sort of file on your system for it to work, or is it all "online"? Does it require the Play Store (if so, what version)? Can it be done without root access (ie, by simply pressing the "Uninstall" button, instead of having to go through some weird root-required uninstall method)? My phone is rooted, so do I need to be able to boot into recovery? Sorry in advance for any glaring errors on my part, but I'm kind of clueless on how these things work. Thank you! The only time I've done this was in 2025 on then-new Samsung Galaxy S, when an app made me so mad that I wanted to punch the developer. So the answer would be no, it's not possible, not in stock Android anyway.
(Also, if you're rooting the phone, you won't be able to use this method, and I don't know how much else the phone supports.