YouTube livestreams will now hold back ads during peak engagement to “protect the vibe.” YouTube has announced a new change focusing on improving the livestream viewing experience. According to the company’s latest blog, the platform will now reduce or delay ads during high engagement and give users a short ad-free viewing period. Alongside this, YouTube has introduced new features for creators and expanded monetisation tools as it continues to refine its live streaming experience.
Ads paused during peak moments
According to YouTube, ads will now be automatically held back when a livestream chat becomes highly active. The system detects when engagement is at its peak and temporarily avoids showing ads to all viewers. The company said this is to “protect that collective vibe” and ensure viewers stay immersed in the moment.
Rewards for viewer support
YouTube is also adding benefits for users who support creators during livestreams. When a viewer sends a Super Chat, Super Sticker or gifts, they will get an instant ad-free viewing window for a short period after their purchase.
More updates for livestream creators
Alongside this change, YouTube has introduced several updates for creators. More regions now support viewer gifts, including countries like Canada, South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand. Viewers can also send GIFs in horizontal livestreams from mobile devices, expanding features that were earlier limited to vertical streams.
In addition, creators can now stream in both vertical and horizontal formats at the same time, with all viewers joining a shared chat. According to YouTube, this change reflects how people watch content today, especially with a growing share of viewing happening on connected TVs.
