YouTube livestreams will now hold back ads during peak engagement to protect the vibe

YouTube has unveiled a new feature aimed at enhancing the livestream experience by suspending advertisements during moments of high chat interaction. This innovative step is designed to preserve the vibrant atmosphere of lively discussions, particularly when users exhibit support via Super Chat, Super Stickers, or gifts. Previously, the only way to avoid ads was through a YouTube Premium subscription. However, the platform’s recent blog post highlighted its commitment to maintaining the energy of active chats by automatically withholding ads when engagement peaks. This initiative is aimed at helping creators keep their audience engaged without the disruption of advertisements. In addition to the ad-free experience during peak interactions, supporters who utilize Super Chat, Super Stickers, or make gift purchases will enjoy a personal ad-free window immediately following their contribution. For those unfamiliar, Super Chat allows viewers to pay to make their messages more prominent, while Super Stickers are purchasable images that add flair to chat interactions. YouTube's announcement also included various updates for live creators. Notably, more creators globally can now accept gifts from viewers, with this feature recently launching in countries like Canada, Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, and New Zealand. Additionally, viewers can now send GIFs during horizontal livestreams directly from their mobile devices, expanding interactivity. The platform has also introduced a dual-format livestreaming option, enabling creators to broadcast in both vertical and horizontal formats simultaneously while allowing all viewers to engage in a shared chat environment. This move is particularly significant given that over 30% of live watch time in the U.S. in 2025 came from connected TVs, prompting YouTube to ensure creators can tailor their streams for various screen types. This announcement follows a recent increase in YouTube Premium subscription prices in the U.S., with the individual plan rising from $13.99 to $15.99 per month and the family plan from $22.99 to $26.99 per month.