Published in · 5 min read · Jul 9, 2019
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One of the many perks of the internet is access to an infinite amount of content. For instance, users flock to YouTube for a variety of reasons. From makeup tutorials to true crime documentaries, YouTube has videos that cater to just about any interest. It’s no wonder Youtube has 2 billion users and more than a billion hours of content is streamed everyday.
And let’s not forget about Twitch! The popular Amazon owned live stream service is a hub for people to come together live. In fact, 1.86 billion hours of content is streamed by 140 million users each month on Twitch.
To make money from all of this popular video content, YouTube has rolled out a number of different ad formats, from simple banner ads to video ads that run before and during YouTube videos. Doing so has allowed YouTube content creators to monetize their channels, which allows those creators to turn their passion into a full-time job.
Much like YouTube, Twitch runs ads before, during, after and alongside the video streams visitors view on its site. So users will see 15 second video ads that run prior to a stream as well as ads during the videos they are watching. They will also see other ad formats on Twitch, which appear in different shapes and sizes, depending on the type of feed a user is watching.
So while no one loves unskippable 15-second video ads, the truth is that some creators rely on advertising from YouTube and Twitch ads to help pay the bills.
The good news is that you can still block YouTube ads and block Twitch ads while supporting the creators of your favorite video content.
Here’s how:
If you’re already using an ad blocker, you’re probably wondering if you can simply allow ads on your favorite YouTube and Twitch channels. You can! Er, that is to say some ad blockers can. OK, OK, we’ll admit it: AdBlock is actually the only ad blocker where you can allow ads on your favorite YouTube and Twitch channels with just one click.
To allow ads on a YouTube Channel:
- Click on the red AdBlock stop sign in the upper right corner of your browser. If you don’t see it there, click the puzzle piece and it should be listed in a dropdown menu of your extensions.
2. Click on the gear icon to open the Options page.
3. On the General tab, select Allow ads on specific YouTube channels.
4. Restart your browser or refresh the current page.
5. Open a video from the YouTube channel you want to allow ads on.
6. Click on the red AdBlock stop sign again and select Allow ads on this channel.
And, to allow ads on a Twitch channel:
- Click on the red AdBlock stop sign in the upper right corner of your browser. If you don’t see it there, click the puzzle piece and it should be listed in a dropdown menu of your extensions.
2. Click on the gear icon to open the Options page.
3. On the General tab, select Allow ads on specific Twitch channels.
4. Restart your browser or refresh the current page.
5. Open the Twitch channel you’d like to allow ads on.
6. Click on the red AdBlock stop sign again and click Allow ads on this channel.
If you change your mind, you can remove a YouTube or Twitch channel from your allowlist any time. Just visit the channel page, click the AdBlock button in your browser toolbar, and select Unpause AdBlock.
You’ve got other options as well! If you’re using an ad blocker and want to show content creators some love, make sure you pause your ad blocker on your favorite channels (at least occasionally). It’s a simple and straightforward way to sit through a few ads and feel good about supporting your favorite YouTubers and Twitch streamers. But remember to unpause once you’re done — otherwise you’ll continue seeing ads on other sites.
The third option is probably the most straightforward: pony up the dough for a YouTube Premium and/or Twitch Turbo subscription. Both of these services provide an ad-free experience for a monthly cost. And since a portion of those monthly fees is shared with content creators, you can rest easy knowing you’re still showing them support.
In a nutshell, AdBlock allows you to block YouTube ads and block Twitch ads guilt-free. Our features allow you to support the content creators you love while filtering out the noise from others. So get out there and enjoy some videos!
