SponsorBlock blocks sponsored segments in videos, not ads

SponsorBlock is a browser extension that skips over parts of YouTube videos where creators read ads for products or services. It does not block the ads that YouTube itself runs — the pre-roll ads that play before a video starts, the mid-roll ads that interrupt longer videos, or the banner ads that appear on the page. Those still show up the same way they always do.

The extension works by using a crowdsourced database. When creators mention a sponsored product — "this video is brought to you by" — viewers who have SponsorBlock installed can mark that segment. The extension then automatically skips those marked segments for everyone else who has it. You see the video jump forward, and you miss the pitch.

This matters because YouTube's own ad system and creator sponsorships are two different things. YouTube makes money from ads it sells. Creators make money from sponsorships they negotiate directly with companies. SponsorBlock only touches the second one.

Key Takeaways

  • SponsorBlock skips creator-read sponsorships but does not block YouTube's own ads, which still play normally.
  • The extension relies on viewers marking sponsored segments, so accuracy depends on the community doing it correctly.
  • You can customize what SponsorBlock skips — sponsorships, intros, outros, self-promotion, or any combination.
  • Creators do not get paid when SponsorBlock skips their sponsored segments, which is why some viewers choose not to use it.

How SponsorBlock identifies sponsored content

SponsorBlock uses a database built by its users. When you install the extension, you can mark segments of any video and label them as sponsorship, intro, outro, self-promotion, or filler. Those marks get uploaded to the SponsorBlock server, and when other users watch the same video, the extension automatically skips to the next unmarked section.

The system includes voting. If a segment is marked incorrectly, other users can downvote it. Segments with too many downvotes stop working. This keeps the database reasonably accurate, though mistakes happen — a creator might mention a sponsor in passing, and someone marks the entire next minute as sponsored when only 15 seconds was.

You control what gets skipped. Open the SponsorBlock settings and you can turn off skipping for sponsorships, keep intros and outros, skip self-promotion but not sponsorships, or disable the extension entirely for specific channels. This is useful if you want to support a creator by watching their sponsored segments, or if you trust a particular channel to mark things honestly.

YouTube ads still play with SponsorBlock enabled

YouTube's own advertising system runs separately from creator sponsorships. When you watch a video with SponsorBlock on, you still see pre-roll ads (the ads before the video starts), mid-roll ads (ads that interrupt the video), and display ads on the page. SponsorBlock does not touch any of those.

If you want to block YouTube's ads, you need a different tool. YouTube Premium removes ads for a monthly fee. Ad-blocking extensions like uBlock Origin block ads across the web, including YouTube, though YouTube actively works to detect and block ad blockers. Some people use both SponsorBlock and an ad blocker, but that is two separate extensions doing two separate jobs.

This distinction matters for creators. When SponsorBlock skips a sponsored segment, the creator loses the money from that sponsorship deal. But YouTube still pays them for the ad impressions, because those ads still played. The creator's income takes a hit from sponsorships, not from ads.

Why creators care about SponsorBlock

Creators negotiate sponsorship deals based on how many people will see the pitch. If SponsorBlock skips the segment for half the viewers, the creator is effectively delivering half the promised exposure to the sponsor. Some sponsorship contracts include clauses about this, and creators may owe money back if too many viewers skip the segment.

This is why some creators ask viewers not to use SponsorBlock, or to disable it for their channel. Others do not mind — they see sponsorships as optional and do not want to frustrate viewers. A few creators have started reading sponsorships in ways that are harder to mark, like weaving them into the video content itself rather than doing a separate segment.

YouTube's own ads, by contrast, are not negotiated by individual creators. YouTube handles all ad deals. Creators get a cut of the revenue, but they do not lose money if someone blocks YouTube ads — YouTube loses money. This is why YouTube actively fights ad blockers but does not fight SponsorBlock.

Setting up SponsorBlock to skip what you want

Install SponsorBlock from the Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons, or your browser's extension store. Once it is installed, click the extension icon and you will see a settings menu. The main options are sponsorships, intros, outros, self-promotion, and filler. Check the boxes for the segments you want to skip.

By default, SponsorBlock skips sponsorships and self-promotion. If you want to see intros and outros, uncheck those boxes. If you want to skip everything, check all of them. You can also set a skip behavior — automatically skip, show a button you click to skip, or ask you each time.

For individual channels, you can whitelist them so SponsorBlock does not work on that creator's videos. Right-click the extension icon while watching a video and select "Whitelist channel". This is useful if you want to support a creator by watching their sponsorships, or if you trust them to mark segments accurately.

Common mistakes and what actually happens

A common misconception is that SponsorBlock blocks all ads. It does not. YouTube ads still play. If you install SponsorBlock and still see ads before videos start, that is working as intended — those are YouTube ads, not sponsorships.

Another mistake is thinking SponsorBlock harms YouTube. It does not. YouTube's revenue comes from ads, and those still play. Creators lose money from sponsorships, not from YouTube's cut. If you want to support both YouTube and creators, you could use SponsorBlock but whitelist channels whose sponsorships you want to watch.

Some users assume SponsorBlock marks are always accurate. They are not. The database is crowdsourced, so mistakes happen. A viewer might mark a 30-second sponsorship as a 5-minute segment, or mark a creator's personal recommendation as a sponsorship when it was not. If you notice bad marks on a channel you watch, you can downvote them to help fix the database.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does SponsorBlock work on platforms other than YouTube?

SponsorBlock is designed for YouTube and works best there. It does not work on other video platforms like Twitch, Vimeo, or TikTok. Some users have requested support for other platforms, but the extension currently focuses on YouTube.

Can creators see if I am using SponsorBlock?

No. SponsorBlock skips segments on your device before the video player reports back to YouTube. Creators cannot tell which viewers used SponsorBlock and which watched the sponsorship. They only see that some viewers skipped a segment, but they cannot identify you personally.

Will YouTube ban me for using SponsorBlock?

No. SponsorBlock is a browser extension that runs on your device. It does not violate YouTube's terms of service. YouTube does not ban users for installing extensions, and SponsorBlock does not interact with YouTube's systems in a way that would trigger enforcement.

What happens if SponsorBlock marks a segment wrong?

Other users can downvote incorrect marks. If a segment gets enough downvotes, it stops working. You can also report bad marks directly through the extension. The SponsorBlock community maintains the database, so accuracy improves over time as more people use it and correct mistakes.

Does SponsorBlock cost money?

No. SponsorBlock is free to install and use. The extension is open source, meaning anyone can see how it works. It does not show ads, does not sell your data, and does not require an account to function.