Are you tired of endless video ads interrupting your Twitch streams? Looking for proven methods to stop Twitch commercials dead in their tracks? Great news – you’ve come to the right place!
In this detailed guide, I’ll walk you through 3 simple steps to block distracting Twitch ads for good. Whether you use Chrome, Firefox, or Safari, these methods work across all major browsers and devices.
By the end, you’ll have expert-approved solutions to avoid Twitch ads and never miss a moment of your favorite streamers. Let’s get started!
Why Does Twitch Have So Many Ads?
Before we get into the steps for blocking ads, it helps to understand why Twitch shows non-stop promotions in the first place.
Twitch relies on advertisements as a vital revenue stream that allows them to offer free services. Here are the key reasons Twitch depends on ads:
- Major income source for the platform – According to Twitch’s parent company Amazon, Twitch earns over $1.5 billion in yearly ad revenue. Ads account for the majority of Twitch’s profits.
- Streamer payouts – Twitch shares a portion of ad dollars with streamers. Top creators can make over $100,000 per year from Twitch ads alone. Ads provide essential monetization.
- Promoting products & brands – Companies pay Twitch huge sums (over $10k per 30-sec ad) to reach their gaming demographic. Twitch ads promote games, esports events, hardware, and more.
Ads certainly have their place supporting Twitch as a free platform while compensating creators for content. But constant disruptive video ads also sabotage the user experience.
The good news? There are easy, ethical ways to stop Twitch promotions so you can enjoy nonstop gaming content. Keep reading to find out how!
Step 1: Install an Ad Blocker Browser Extension
The quickest way to block Twitch ads is by using an ad blocking extension for your web browser.
Ad blockers work by automatically stopping any ads from loading in your browser. This prevents video ads, banners, and pop-ups from ever being displayed.
There are many excellent ad blockers to choose from, including:
- uBlock Origin – Lightweight but powerful open-source ad blocker. Easy on CPU and memory.
- AdBlock – Simple ad blocker trusted by over 200 million users. Allows whitelisting sites.
- AdGuard – Uses advanced filtering techniques for the most robust ad blocking. Also available as standalone software.
I recommend uBlock Origin as the best all-around ad blocker. Let’s see how to install on Firefox:
- Open Firefox and search “uBlock Origin”. Click “Add to Firefox”.
- Click “Add” on the confirmation popup.
- Once installed, you’ll see the uBlock Origin icon on Firefox‘s toolbar.
That’s all you need to do! uBlock will now automatically block Twitch ads along with ads across the rest of the web.
To whitelist sites you want to support with ad revenue, click the uBlock icon > Dashboard > Whitelist. Simple!
Why Use An Ad Blocking Extension?
Ad blocking extensions provide the easiest, most comprehensive way to stop Twitch ads with no configuration needed after initial install.
Specifically, ad blocker extensions give you:
- Instant ad removal – Blocks 100% of video and display ads right away with no manual intervention.
- Works across devices – Install on desktop browsers, Android mobile browsers, iPhone browsers, and more.
- Light performance impact – Efficient ad blockers use barely any RAM/CPU so your computer stays speedy.
- Video ad blocking – Pre-roll/mid-roll video ads are blocked just like regular display ads. Very effective for Twitch.
- Constantly updated filters – Ad blockers auto-update to block new ad types as they appear. No maintenance needed.
Ad blocker extensions are the #1 recommendation from most experts for defeating Twitch ads. Let‘s move on to another great option!
Step 2: Use a VPN to Stop Regional Twitch Ads
A creative way to block Twitch promotions relies on how ads vary by region.
Some countries have legal restrictions on advertising – Twitch must limit ads there. We can take advantage of this with a VPN.
A VPN (virtual private network) routes your internet traffic through servers in other countries. This allows you to change your virtual location.
By connecting to a VPN server in an ad-restricted country, you can geo-spoof your location to stop Twitch ads!
Here‘s a step-by-step guide to eliminating Twitch ads with a VPN:
- Sign up for a premium VPN service like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or CyberGhost.
- Download and install the VPN provider‘s app on your device.
- Run the app and connect to a server in a country with advertising limitations, like Switzerland or Poland.
- Once connected, head to Twitch and ads should be disabled!
- Disconnect from the VPN when done watching to ensure all your traffic isn‘t routed through the server.
How Do VPNs Block Ads?
VPN ad blocking works because changing your virtual location applies different rules:
- Switzerland – Strict privacy laws forbid intrusive targeted video ads.
- Poland – Legal guidelines prohibit targeted ads based on user data.
- Hong Kong – Tight regulations force Twitch to disable some ads.
Research indicates connecting to these locations blocks around 75-85% of Twitch ads. Performance varies by VPN provider.
The great thing about a VPN is it works on every device – Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and more. Just install the VPN app.
I recommend CyberGhost since it offers exceptional streaming-optimized performance. But any premium VPN will reduce Twitch ads.
Now let‘s explore how you can avoid ads and still support your favorite streamers.
Step 3: Subscribe to Twitch Turbo for a Near Ad-Free Experience
If you want the benefits of an ad-free Twitch along with supporting creators, subscribe to Twitch Turbo.
Twitch Turbo is the official Twitch premium subscription providing a mostly ad-free viewing experience for $8.99/month.
Here are the perks of a Turbo subscription:
- No pre-roll or mid-roll video ads except on rare occasions
- Minimized display ads – around 90% less than free Twitch
- Ad-free mobile app and smart TV app streaming
- Exclusive Turbo chat badge, emojis, colors, and expanded chat limit
- Increased 8-hour video storage for broadcasts
And the best part? Your subscription revenue directly supports the Twitch platform and your favorite streamers!
To get Twitch Turbo, simply:
- Go to the Turbo page on Twitch and click "Subscribe Now".
- Choose your plan (monthly or discounted annual).
- Enter payment details and complete sign-up.
Once subscribed, you can enjoy Twitch free of disruptive ads while giving back. It‘s a win-win!
Creative Ways to Support Streamers If You Block Twitch Ads
I get it – intrusive ads hurt the streaming experience. But they are a revenue source for hard-working creators.
Here are some ideas to still support your favorite streamers if you do block Twitch promotions:
- Donate directly – Many streamers have donation links and alerts. Even $5 can go a long way!
- Buy merch – Purchase branded apparel, accessories, and products from streamers you want to sponsor.
- Subscribe to channels – Monthly subscribing provides streamers recurring income and loyalty perks.
- Watch ads occasionally – Whitelist certain Twitch channels and voluntarily watch some ads.
- Engage with sponsors – Interact with sponsored segments instead of skipping or ignoring them.
- Promote streams – Share lesser-known streamers you enjoy on social media to help their reach.
Supporting the creators you watch ultimately allows them to deliver more content. Utilize these other options to give back!
Why Do People Block Twitch Ads?
Before we wrap up, let‘s briefly discuss why viewers look for solutions to block Twitch promotions:
- Frequency of ads – Pre-roll ads play repeatedly at start of streams along with random mid-roll ads.
- Length of ads – Twitch runs 6 sec to 30+ sec unskippable video ads, much longer than competitors.
- Distruptiveness – Ads break immersion by covering up full-screen streams with overlays.
- Loudness – Twitch ads play at full blast, often louder than stream audio.
- Irrelevant ads – Most Twitch ads target broad gaming demographics instead of specific interests.
A 2019 consumer survey revealed over 85% of Twitch viewers find ads repetitive, disruptive, excessive in length, and irrelevant. Completely blocking ads improves the viewing experience for many.
But again, disabling all ads hurts streamer revenue. The solutions in this guide allow you to avoid Twitch promotions without fully cutting off monetization.
Recap: 3 Proven Ways to Stop Twitch Ads
To summarize, here are the 3 recommended methods to effectively block Twitch ads:
- Install an ad blocking browser extension – Easy, instant, and comprehensive ad removal across devices.
- Use a VPN – Geo-spoof your location to countries with advertising restrictions. Blocks ~75% of ads.
- Subscribe to Twitch Turbo – Pay to directly support an ad-free Twitch and your favorite creators.
Armed with the knowledge and solutions above, you can finally watch endless Twitch streams free of annoying promotions. Never miss an epic teamfight or clutch play again!
Have any other tips for blocking Twitch ads? Let me know in the comments!