A Complete Guide on Getting Rid of Twitch Ads

Powered by Amazon, Twitch is an interactive gaming platform that allows gamers to view and stream their online gaming for others to see. The platform hosts over two million users per week.[1]

The majority of Twitch content focuses on online video gaming and esports-related competitions. However, as the streaming platform has grown in popularity, a growing number of Twitch streamers also share live music, DIY, creative, and lifestyle content.

This increase in Twitch’s popularity has also increased Amazon's opportunities to generate revenue through advertising. Although ads help generate revenue to keep the platform free for users, it can be daunting to be constantly inundated with them. Continue reading to learn how to reduce and remove the ads you see on Twitch through the platform itself or by using an ad blocker extension, VPN, or a VPN + ad blocker bundle. 

5 ways to block ads on Twitch

Suppose you are a fan of watching and participating in Twitch streams and want to avoid ads without paying for an ad-free subscription. In that case, there are several options you can explore.

You can use ad blockers manually by applying browser-level options and third-party extensions that will block all web browser ads, including those on Twitch. You can also use or purchase third-party software for more specific ad blocking. Here are five ways to block ads on Twitch, either manually or with a third-party application.

1. Install an ad-block extension

One way to automatically block ads on Twitch is to use an ad blocker browser extension. An ad blocker extension allows users to download it directly and block ads within the specific web browser they use, regardless of the websites they may navigate to.

With Google Chrome, users can select the puzzle piece icon in their browser to search and add an ad-blocking extension from the Google Play Store. This will block all ads on all websites, including Twitch. The process is identical for Android devices.

The process for blocking ads in Firefox is similar, but users must look for an ad blocker in the Add-ons Store. For Apple iOS or macOS, utilize Apple’s App Store to research and download applications or website ad-blocker extensions.

Based on our extensive in-house testing of Twitch ad blockers, the only ad blocker extensions that work with some consistency are uBlock Origin, uBlock Origin Lite, and AdGuard Extra (Beta). The trouble is that Twitch recently changed its ad platform, making it harder to use traditional methods to bypass ads. 

That said, you can still have some success with tried-and-true ad blockers, but you may need to pair your ad-blocking extension with the Brave browser and a VPN. 

Featured ad blockers compared

2. Use a VPN

However, we did succeed in blocking Twitch ads using NordVPN. Virtual private networks (VPNs) can be a useful way to block ads in web browsers and applications without installing ad-blocking software. VPNs do not block ads by default like a browser extension, but they do protect your location and device privacy from being tracked by third-party ad domains. Users can also utilize a VPN IP address based in a country with restrictions on ad-related content, such as Poland or Romania.

Because the VPN blocks the trackers, it prevents ad domains from collecting data about you. If you want to guarantee that the VPN blocks this information from being accessed by an ad domain, you can use a VPN like NordVPN with built-in ad-blocking software. Log in to your VPN app and select a server location where Twitch ads aren't displayed.

Countries where Twitch ads aren’t shown:

• Poland
• Romania
• Germany
• Costa Rica
• Ukraine
• Serbia
• Russia
• Columbia

3. Download an ad-block browser

Specific browsers have built-in ad-blocking software. Ad-blocking browsers, such as Brave or Opera, provide website visitors with a fast, private, and secure web browser for PCs, Macs, Android, and iOS. We had notable success with the Brave browser, and honestly, it's one of the best strategies for blocking Twitch ads. We offer detailed steps in our roundup of the best Twitch ad blockers.

4. Get Twitch.tv as an Amazon Prime subscriber

Gamers who subscribe to Amazon Prime through the Prime Gaming website will also receive a free subscription to Twitch.tv. It allows Amazon Prime users to access Twitch for a single fee.

5. Consider Twitch alternatives

For entirely blocking ads while streaming or watching gaming, a few options are still available. One option for gamers looking for ad-free Twitch alternatives is Discord. Discord allows users to connect, join server communities, chat with other gamers, livestream, and watch gameplay ad-free.

In addition to Discord, viewers can watch Twitch streams ad-free through a website called Multistre.am. Multistre.am blocks ads and allows viewers to view several Twitch livestreams simultaneously.

What types of ads are on Twitch?

Before diving into how to block Twitch ads, it’s important for users to understand the rationale behind the platform's ads and the types they can expect to see.

Given that Twitch provides users with a sense of community and real-time interactions, it can also increase content creators' visibility. With this greater visibility, the content surrounding many ads is more directly focused on platform users. Below are some of the ad types you may see on Twitch.

Homepage heading slider

When users navigate to Twitch's main landing page, there is often a header slider at the top of the page that serves as an ad carousel for viewers. This slider often hosts multiple ad placements so that website visitors can browse through the content.

Sidebar scroller

Within the site's sidebar or web text, there is a scrolling ad format supported by website animation. These ads appear while visitors scroll through the web content on the Twitch browsing page. Often, this ad format supports only graphics and animated images, not video ad content.

Streaming displays

Twitch offers an ad feature for creators called streaming displays or stream display ads (SDAs). These are 10-second display advertisements shown on user streaming channels. While the ads are displayed, viewers can still see and hear the gaming streams.

Video-embedded pop-ups

Twitch began implementing video-embedded pop-up ads in 2022, similar to SDAs. These ads are specific to in-application streaming and are said to be a less intrusive form of advertising for the platform. They are designed to pop up randomly during streaming and require a timed display.

2 ways to remove ads provided by Twitch

On Twitch, users can't remove ads for free. However, there are some paid options that regular Twitch account users can purchase to remove the ads. Listed below are two options that individuals can utilize as Twitch ad blockers.

1. Subscribe to Twitch channels

When people pay to subscribe to an individual Twitch channel, it can remove ads for that channel. Additionally, when users purchase a subscription to a specific Twitch partner or affiliate channel, the platform pays creators a share of the subscriber fee more directly. This allows creators to monetize their content beyond ad revenue and affiliate partnerships.

2. Purchase Twitch Turbo

Website visitors can purchase a monthly subscription called Twitch Turbo. Twitch Turbo is a monthly subscription program offered exclusively to Twitch.tv users. This paid service allows users to watch livestreams ad-free across Twitch. This paid option ensures users do not see pre-roll ads, mid-rolls, companions, or display advertising.

Twitch ads FAQs

Bottom line

Twitch is a great streaming service that allows gamers and other content creators to share content in real time. Twitch provides this service for millions of users for free. It may seem challenging, but there are avenues for users to avoid being bombarded by ads on the website.

However, many free options can't guarantee they'll successfully remove or block all ads. Although there are many free options available, the most effective way to block ads on Twitch is to either use a VPN with a built-in ad blocker or subscribe and support your favorite streamers directly.