YouTube has announced a new feature that holds back ads during peak engagement on livestreams. If chat activity surges and viewers support creators with Super Chat, Super Stickers or gift purchases, ads are temporarily paused to maintain the vibe for everyone watching.

The change aims to help content creators keep their live streams flowing smoothly without interruptions from advertisements, enhancing viewer experience when engagement is at its highest. For instance, a fan who uses Super Chat to highlight their message will receive an ad-free window immediately after their purchase, ensuring their support is acknowledged promptly and in style.

Other updates include the expansion of gift-giving capabilities for creators worldwide, with gifts now available in Canada, Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Australia, and New Zealand. Additionally, viewers can now send GIFs on both vertical and horizontal livestreams from their mobile devices, allowing more creative interaction during live streams.

YouTube is also aiming to future-proof its content by enabling creators to broadcast in both vertical and horizontal formats simultaneously, catering to the growing number of live watch time coming from connected TVs. Over 30% of live watch time in the U.S. came from connected TVs last year, highlighting the importance of adaptable streaming methods.

These updates come a few days after YouTube increased subscription prices for its Premium service in the U.S., with individual plans going up to $15.99 per month and family plans to $26.99 per month.