YouTube’s ad problem is already annoying as it is. On top of that, sponsored segments within the video you’re watching? Yeah, we all love Surfshark here, but maybe we don’t want the same sponsored segment over and over again. And don’t even get me started on Raid Shadow Legends. The point is, these mid-video sponsored segments can be very intrusive. And if you’ve read any of the articles on our website, we don’t like intrusion around here. So we have a fix for these sponsored segments.
TL;DR: There’s a free browser extension called SponsorBlock that lets you automatically skip sponsorships (and other filler segments) in YouTube videos. It’s a crowdsourced tool that jumps past the portions of videos identified as ads or promotions. I’ll be explaining how it works, how to set it up on your browser (and what to do on mobile), and answering common questions about safety and creator support.
What are YouTube sponsor segments? (And why skip them?)
YouTube sponsor segments are ads that are directly baked into the video by the creator. Unlike YouTube ads, Creators get more control over what they promote in their videos. So a tech YouTuber might pause their review of a new smartphone to endorse a VPN service, or a podcast host might segue into “a quick word about our sponsor.” These segments are usually contracted paid promotions between the creator and a sponsor. They can be a brief mention of a product or a lengthy ad read that often comes with a skit.
You might find these in-video promotions just as interruptive as the ads YouTube serves. In fact, sometimes they can be more disruptive because you can’t get rid of them with a normal ad blocker (since they’re part of the video itself). You might scrub the timeline manually to find where the sponsor plug ends, but that’s more inconvenient, and you could overshoot and miss content.
Some creators provide timestamps (chapters) labeling the sponsored section, which is a really nice gesture. But what if… There was a tool that could automatically skip to the precise timestamp where the sponsored segment ended. That’s what we’re here to talk about. The tool you’re looking for is SponsorBlock.
What is SponsorBlock, and how does it work?
SponsorBlock is an open-source browser extension that automatically skips sponsored segments in YouTube videos. It uses a crowdsourced database of timestamps to know when a creator’s sponsorship message begins and ends. When you have the extension installed, it will jump past the sponsored portions of the video, so you often won’t even realize an ad was there.
How does it work?
It’s the result of a community effort. People who use the extension tag the boring parts of videos so everyone else can skip them. As a user, you can also tag or suggest changes to previously tagged timestamps. All you have to do is press a button to mark the start and end of the sponsored segment. This gets sent to the public SponsorBlock database. Then, the next time you (or anyone) watch that same video with SponsorBlock, the extension will already know the time stamps to skip. The video will automatically fast-forward over the ad read. You’ll see a brief notification toast and a colored section on the video timeline indicating a skipped segment.
And it’s not just sponsored segments. SponsorBlock also lets you skip non-music sections at the beginning or end of a music video, long intros, and recaps. Some videos also have the option to skip to the highlighted section or add chapters that the creator didn’t add.
Moreover, you, as the user, have control over which categories of content to skip or not skip. By default, most people use it to skip sponsors (hence the name), but you can customize it. For example, if you enjoy a YouTuber’s personal intro but hate the sponsored ads, you can configure SponsorBlock to only skip the sponsor segments and leave intros/outros alone. It’s all up to you.
Importantly, SponsorBlock is privacy-friendly. It uses a clever system to query the database without revealing which video you’re watching. In technical terms, it uses a hash of the video ID and a privacy-preserving API, meaning it’s not sending your entire watch history to any server. The extension is also fully open source, and its database is publicly accessible. This means anyone can audit the code or even download the entire list of tagged segments.
It’s a community-driven tool built on trust: by users, for users. As of 2026, it’s been incredibly successful; over 13 million people have used it, submitting more than 13 million segments and saving viewers collectively thousands of years of watch time that would have been spent on ads.
How do I install SponsorBlock on my browser?
You install SponsorBlock like you would any other extension. It’s free (mostly), and it doesn’t require technical skills. Here’s how you do it:
- Install: Go to the SponsorBlock website or your browser’s extension store. Search for “SponsorBlock for YouTube – Skip Sponsorships” and click “Get,” “Add,” or “Install.”
- Activate: Make sure the extension is enabled. In Chrome, pin the icon for quick access (optional).
- Use: Play a YouTube video. If there’s a sponsored segment marked by the community, SponsorBlock will skip it automatically.
You can change settings to skip certain types of segments, like intros or outros, if you prefer. Usually, the default settings work well.
Compatibility: Works in all desktop browsers, Firefox Mobile, and Safari for iOS. It also works with some YouTube Wrappers and mods on Android.
Can you skip sponsored segments on mobile YouTube apps?
Okay, so… you’re not gonna watch YouTube on Firefox Mobile just for SponsorBlock. As versatile as YouTube is, mobile browsers aren’t typically the best way to watch YouTube. Now, the answer is yes, you can skip sponsored segments on mobile YouTube apps. But not on the official YouTube apps. Let me explain.
The standard YouTube app (on Android or iOS) doesn’t support browser extensions, so you can’t directly use SponsorBlock there. However, there are some workarounds and alternative apps that bring SponsorBlock’s functionality to mobile:
YouTube ReVanced (Android): YouTube ReVanced is a popular community-developed mod, essentially a successor to YouTube Vanced. It allows Android users to patch the official YouTube app with features like SponsorBlock integration for auto-skipping sponsor segments, built-in ad blocking, and background playback. The installation is a bit technical (involving an APK or patching), as it’s not on the Google Play Store, but many find the effort worthwhile for a free, Premium-like experience. However, you may have some safety concerns, so we suggest you read: Is YouTube Revanced Safe?
Third-party YouTube apps and wrappers: Besides ReVanced, other unofficial YouTube clients support SponsorBlock. LibreTube, an open-source Android app using the Piped backend, includes it. While NewPipe (a lightweight YouTube frontend) didn’t originally include SponsorBlock due to ethical concerns, modified forks like Tubular do. For Android TV/smart TVs, SmartTubeNext also incorporates SponsorBlock. On iOS, built-in SponsorBlock apps are limited by Apple’s policies, but the SponsorBlock Safari extension is available for purchase via the App Store.
(Reminder: Using third-party apps like ReVanced is against YouTube’s Terms of Service, so proceed at your own discretion. That said, thousands of people use them. Just be sure to download such apps from their official sources to avoid fake versions, and read up on any device risks.)
Does SponsorBlock also block normal YouTube ads?
No – SponsorBlock is not an ad blocker. It doesn’t skip or block the ads that YouTube itself inserts (like video ads before or during a video, banner ads, etc.). SponsorBlock solely targets segments within the video content that are identified as promotions or fluff by the creator. Traditional YouTube ads (the kind that YouTube sells) are a separate issue. If you want to block YouTube’s regular ads, you’ll need to use a separate tool, such as a browser-based ad blocker or YouTube Premium.
For the best experience, you can pair SponsorBlock with either YouTube Premium (which removes official ads) or a good ad-blocking extension. In fact, the SponsorBlock devs themselves tell you that their tool “works best alongside YouTube Premium or an ad blocker.” If you go the extension route, make sure to choose an ad blocker that still works on YouTube in 2026 (since YouTube has been cracking down on them).
If you’re looking for an ad blocker recommendation, we really like AdGuard. And you can save 30% on AdGuard with code ADBLOCKTESTER30. Another strong option is Total Adblock, which also offers big discounts (around 80% off deals for new users).
Note: Ad blocking on the official mobile app is difficult due to YouTube’s recent restrictions, but ReVanced (mentioned above) includes ad blocking as well. On desktop browsers, YouTube is currently showing pop-ups to users of ad blockers, but most blockers have workarounds.
Is it safe and legal to use SponsorBlock?
SponsorBlock is safe, legal, and widely trusted for skipping sponsored segments on YouTube.
Safety & Privacy: The extension is open source and distributed through official stores, which minimizes the risk of viruses or malware. It only requires basic permissions. It respects user privacy by not uploading identifiable viewing habits. It uses k-anonymity and hashed IDs by design. And it is arguably more privacy-friendly than many common apps and extensions you already use.
Legality: Skipping video portions is not illegal and is similar to fast-forwarding a recorded show. While YouTube may dislike it as it diminishes sponsorship impact (potentially against the spirit of the ToS), SponsorBlock runs in your browser and is undetectable to YouTube. No users have ever been banned for using it, and the extension is openly available.
In summary, SponsorBlock is a legitimate, non-hacker tool that automates fast-forwarding. It is safe for users, but remember that segment submissions are public (though anonymous). Only download from official sources.
Does skipping sponsors hurt YouTubers or their revenue?
Skipping sponsored segments, even with tools like SponsorBlock, doesn’t directly reduce a YouTuber’s fixed-fee payment for a promotion. However, the long-term, indirect concern is that if widespread skipping leads to poor results (fewer sign-ups/sales) for sponsors, they may pay less or stop sponsoring the creator in the future, thus undermining the value of sponsorships.
Creators are right to worry about this undermining effect, but as a viewer, you have the right to choose what you watch. So you can think of SponsorBlock as more of a choice-enabling tool. Some users even selectively whitelist channels to support creators. Others argue that embedded sponsorships are a more privacy-respecting funding method than tracking ads, suggesting universal skipping might push creators back to invasive monetization.
Ultimately, the effect is on the ecosystem. You can still choose to support creators in other ways (Patreon, merch) or occasionally watch the ad. Skipping excessively long or uninteresting promos shouldn’t cause guilt, as the creator is generally still paid. SponsorBlock empowers the viewer to balance personal enjoyment with creator support.
Wrapping Up
Ads are everywhere, and it’s okay to be annoyed by them. Platforms, creators, and sponsors are well within their rights to show you ads, add sponsored segments, and push their products. But it’s also your right to choose what you watch. And tools like SponsorBlock help you do just that.
By skipping sponsorships, you streamline your viewing and focus on the content that matters to you. And if you pair SponsorBlock with a good ad blocker or YouTube’s Premium service, you can virtually eliminate all the usual interruptions from your YouTube sessions.
In the end, it’s about your choice. Sometimes you might actually be interested in a creator’s sponsor message (they can be informative or entertaining too!), and you can always disable skipping for that video or channel.