This article is for creators in the YouTube Partner Programme (including MCN affiliates) who want to make changes to the types of ads that run on their own content.
If you're a viewer, take a look at this article to learn more about ads on videos that you watch.On 15 May 2025, the sensitive category 'Video Games (Casual and Online)' will be removed in Ad categories in YouTube Studio. Those currently using the setting will have until 15 June 2025 before existing blocks will no longer apply.
The ability to block video game ads will now exclusively exist within General categories under Hobbies, Games and Leisure > Toys and Games > Games. Within Games, you can choose to block video game ads from Online Games and Puzzles and/or Video Games, Consoles and Accessories as well as any of their sub-categories.
You might not want certain ads to show on or next to your YouTube channel or videos due to personal beliefs, business reasons or content reasons. As a creator, you can block certain ads from appearing on or next to your YouTube content and channel, with blocking controls in YouTube Studio.
Blocking ads can have a negative effect on your earnings, so it's important to choose the control that balances your earning goals with your blocking requirements. We recommend that you start with the control that blocks the fewest ads first, like blocking specific URLs.
Available blocking controls
Specific URLs
You can block ads that link to specific URLs. This may be useful if you don't want ads that link to certain websites.
You can block up to 500 URLs. If you've reached the limit and need to block a new URL, you'll have to unblock a blocked URL first.
General categories
You can block ads from general categories, like Clothing, Guns or Vehicles. This may be helpful if you want to block ads related to a specific category.
You can block up to 200 general ad categories. If you've reached the limit and need to block a new ad category, you'll have to unblock a blocked category first.
Sensitive categories
You can block ads from categories related to sensitive topics, like Dating, Religion or Politics. This may be helpful if you don't want ads related to sensitive topics.
Bear in mind that the Gambling and Alcohol categories are blocked by default. If you want, you can also allow sensitive ad categories for your channel.
Block ads
Via Watch page ads tab
- On your computer, sign in to YouTube Studio.
- In the left menu, click Earn
.
- Click Watch page ads.
- Click Ad categories.
- To block specific advertiser URLs: Click the URLs tab in the horizontal bar across the top of the page. Enter one URL or multiple URLs, separated by a comma, in the box. Then click BLOCK.
- To block ads by general or sensitive categories: Click the relevant tab in the horizontal bar across the top of the page. Search for the category that you'd like to block in the box. Then click BLOCK.
- Click SAVE. Changes should be reflected on your channel within 24 hours.
.Via Settings tab
- On your computer, sign in to YouTube Studio.
- In the left menu, click Settings
.
- Click Ad categories.
- To block specific advertiser URLs: Click the URLs tab in the horizontal bar across the top of the page. Enter one URL or multiple URLs, separated by a comma, in the box. Then click BLOCK.
- To block ads by general or sensitive categories: Click the relevant tab in the horizontal bar across the top of the page. Search for the category that you'd like to block in the box. Then click BLOCK.
- Click SAVE. Changes should be reflected on your channel within 24 hours.
Bear in mind that blocking controls only apply to ads serving on the watch page. They do not affect ads serving on feeds or Shorts. Given the nature of ads in the Shorts feed, we cannot guarantee that specific ad categories won't appear on or by your content. Learn more about how ads work in the Shorts Feed.