Alexis Kestler
As a long-time Twitch user myself, I know firsthand how disruptive and annoying advertisements on the platform can be. Over the past couple of years, Twitch has aggressively increased the number of ads on streams – both in terms of length and frequency.
Pre-roll ads that play before a stream can last upwards of 30 seconds. Mid-roll ads randomly interrupt streams, sometimes multiple times per hour. Banner and sidebar ads litter the site itself.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll be sharing the most effective methods I‘ve found to remove ads on Twitch completely or reduce them significantly. I‘ll provide detailed instructions on how to set up and configure each ad blocking tool properly.
By the end, you‘ll understand the pros and cons of each method so you can decide what works best for your personal viewing preferences and priorities. Let‘s get started!
Why So Many Ads on Twitch?
Before we get into the how of blocking Twitch ads, it helps to understand why they‘ve become so pervasive.
Twitch surpassed a staggering 1 billion hours watched per quarter in 2021. The platform accounts for 73% of live streaming viewership.
To monetize this massive audience, Twitch relies heavily on advertising revenue. Here‘s a breakdown of Twitch‘s ad types:
| Ad Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Pre-roll | 15-30 second video ads before a stream starts |
| Mid-roll | Video ads inserted between stream segments |
| Display | Banner/sidebar ads on Twitch site and apps |
In July 2021, Twitch increased the maximum number of pre-roll ads per hour from 3 to 7. Mid-roll ads were also increased from 3 minutes to 8 minutes per hour.
This understandably caused quite a bit of [backlash](https://www.sportskeeda.com/esports/twitch-streamers– viewers-outraged-massive-increase-number-ads-platform-noon) from streamers and viewers. But Twitch has a fiduciary duty to maximize profits, so ads aren‘t going away anytime soon.
Types of Twitch Ads and How They Work
Below I‘ll explain the two primary categories of ads served on Twitch and how ad insertion works:
Video Ads
These include pre-roll and mid-roll video ads shown before and during live streams:
- Pre-roll – Plays automatically when you open a stream before it begins
- Mid-roll – Inserted dynamically either at a fixed interval or during natural breaks
Twitch utilizes server-side ad insertion to inject both pre-roll and mid-roll video ads directly into the video stream. This way, ad blocking in the browser has no effect.
Display Ads
These include all the banner, sidebar, and native ads seen around Twitch‘s website and apps:
- Banner ads are embedded directly in page layouts
- Display ads are requested from external ad networks
- Affiliate links act as native advertising
Display ads can be blocked using browser extensions that prevent ad code from loading. However, they account for a smaller share of Twitch‘s ad revenue.
Now that you understand Twitch‘s incentive to maximize ad placements as well as how their ad tech works, let‘s go through the top methods to get rid of them!
Ad Blocking Method #1: Browser Extensions
The most popular approach to remove Twitch ads is using an ad blocking browser extension. These work by preventing ad-related code from being downloaded and displayed.
My personal recommendation is uBlock Origin. Here‘s how to set it up:
- Install uBlock Origin from the Chrome Web Store
- Open Twitch and start watching a stream
- The pre-roll and display ads should not appear
- For additional customization, open the uBlock dashboard
- Go to the "Filter lists" tab
- Enable additional filters like "EasyList"
The main benefit of uBlock Origin is that it‘s completely free, open-source, and uses very few system resources. It blocks ads before they can even load.
The one downside is that it blocks all Twitch ads. Streamers don‘t earn any revenue if you visit their channels with uBlock enabled.
Some alternative ad blockers to consider are AdBlock, AdBlock Plus, and Privacy Badger. Avoid unknown or sketchy blockers that could be malware.
Ad Blocking Method #2: VPN with Ad Blocking
Another option is using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) that has ad blocking capabilities built-in. Here are the steps to set up NordVPN:
- Sign up for a paid NordVPN account
- Download and install the NordVPN app
- Connect to any server
- Go to "Settings" and enable "CyberSec"
Once connected, CyberSec will block ads across all apps and browsers by filtering them out at the network level.
The benefit of a VPN ad blocker is it works on mobile too. However, you do have to pay a monthly fee, and connection speeds may be slower.
Some other VPNs with ad blocking worth checking out are ExpressVPN and ProtonVPN.
Ad Blocking Method #3: Third-Party Apps
If you watch Twitch exclusively on mobile devices, using a third-party app is the most convenient ad blocking solution.
For example, Impulse is a popular Twitch client for iOS and Android that has built-in ad blocking.
To start ad-free streaming:
- Install Impulse from the App Store or Google Play Store
- Login with your Twitch credentials
- Pick a stream to watch – no ads will interrupt
The tradeoff is you lose out on some official Twitch features. Integration with games and chat is not as robust. There are also privacy concerns around third-party clients.
Ad Blocking Method #4: Subscriptions
Rather than blocking Twitch ads outright, you can choose to subscribe to specific streamers you want to support.
By subscribing to a channel for $4.99 a month, you won‘t see any ads in that streamer‘s channel. This is a way to remove ads while still allowing creators to earn revenue.
An alternative is Twitch Turbo. For $8.99 per month, Twitch Turbo removes ads site-wide. Similar to subscribing to individual channels, this also provides compensation to streamers.
Comparing the Pros and Cons of Each Ad Blocking Method
Here is a quick comparison table summarizing the key benefits and limitations of each approach:
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Browser Extensions | Free, simple to use, customizable | Blocks all ads so no revenue for streamers |
| VPN Ad Blocker | Works on mobile, blocksads in other apps too | Have to pay for the VPN, potential speed decrease |
| 3rd Party Apps | No ads on mobile | Limited functionality, security risks |
| Subscriptions | Supports streamers, no account risks | Costs money each month |
Based on the pros and cons, I personally recommend using uBlock Origin on desktop browsers and a Third-Party App like Impulse on mobile. This balances ad blocking effectiveness with streamer support.
Some key factors to consider are your device usage (mobile vs. desktop), budget (free vs. paid options), and attitude towards supporting creators. Evaluate your priorities and needs to determine the best solution.
Twitch‘s Stance on Ad Blocking
Twitch understandably doesn‘t look kindly on users who block ads. Their terms prohibit bypassing their ad serving:
"You agree that you will not under any circumstances…use the Twitch Services to artificially promote or inflate the payouts of any Broadcaster"
While they have not outright banned ad block users yet, Twitch has incentives to crack down. Based on figures from TwitchTracker, a 1% drop in ads watched results in a annual revenue loss of ~$8.5 million. As more viewers adopt blockers, this number rises.
However, outright preventing ad blocking is difficult given Twitch‘s user base of over 30 million daily active users. For now, you can block ads without worrying about account suspensions. But be prepared for Twitch to potentially implement stricter anti-ad blocking measures down the line.
The Ethical Implications of Ad Blocking
There are ethical implications to completely blocking Twitch ads that deserve consideration:
- Streamers rely on ad revenue as part of their income
- Twitch itself depends on ads to support operations and royalties
- Quality content requires financial support to sustain itself
However, users shouldn‘t have to sacrifice a barrage of invasive, disruptive ads for streamers to earn a living. There are degrees of reasonable advertising.
As evidenced by community backlash, Twitch may have crossed that line. But the platform balancing act continues.
As a Twitch user, I believe it‘s ethical to minimize using ad blockers on the channels you engage with most. For discovery, ad blocking allows you to sample a broader range of content.
If you enjoy a new streamer you found, add them to your whitelist! Only block ads on inactive channels you don‘t actively watch.
Twitch Ad Blocking: Final Thoughts
Ads may be the necessary evil that allows Twitch to remain free for users. But excessive, intrusive ads detract from its value as an entertainment platform.
I hope this guide has equipped you with the knowledge to block distracting ads on Twitch using a method that aligns with your personal principles.
As Twitch evolves its ad strategy, you now have the tools and understanding to counteract ad saturation. You can enjoy an optimal, uninterrupted viewing experience without moral qualms.
Do you have any other tips or questions about removing ads on Twitch? Let me know in the comments!
