YouTube will allow users to turn off ads, but only under one condition and not in all cases

YouTube has announced a new rule for live streams

Soon, viewers will be able to get rid of ads that interrupt YouTube Live broadcasts, but this will only be possible with active audience participation.

How the “ad pause” works
* Condition: if enough messages and reactions appear in the Live Chat, the system automatically stops showing ads across the channel.
* No additional costs. Users do not need to subscribe to YouTube Premium or install ad blockers – they just have to be “active” in the chat.
* Requirement for creators: the feature works only when creators enable automatic ad playback in their channel settings.

YouTube will track engagement in real time. As soon as a surge of activity is observed (for example, during a key moment in a game or an unexpected host announcement), ads are instantly paused for all viewers.

New interaction features
* Virtual gifts – now available in Canada, South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand. Viewers can buy digital stickers (Super Chat, Super Sticker) and send them during the broadcast.
* Benefit of gifts – purchasing any of these items guarantees the viewer an ad-free viewing experience.
* Unified chat for all formats – channel owners can now stream live simultaneously in horizontal and vertical formats using a single shared chat.

Thus, YouTube is boosting audience engagement: active viewers receive an “ad pause,” while content creators gain new monetization tools and expanded communication options with their subscribers.