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SponsorBlock

A community-powered extension that skips sponsored segments inside YouTube videos. It is not a classic ad blocker.

Reviewed by Xplorekit's independent developer · Last checked · How we choose

Add to Chrome Open source · Chrome Web Store · Official site · Source on GitHub

SponsorBlock is not a classic ad blocker. It does not block the video ads that YouTube plays. It skips sponsored segments inside YouTube videos themselves. Pair it with a real ad blocker.

Why it's a strong pick

SponsorBlock does one job that ad blockers cannot: it skips the sponsor read a creator speaks inside their own video. It is open source under GPL v3 or later, and it uses Manifest V3. It is actively maintained: version 6.1.7 was released on 13 July 2026, and its code changed again in September 2026.

What it does

SponsorBlock skips segments in YouTube videos that other users have marked. These include sponsor reads, intros, outros and subscription reminders. Anyone can submit a segment, and the database is public. It also works with Invidious.

Key features

  • Skips sponsor segments. Jump past paid mentions inside a video.
  • Other segment types. Intros, outros and subscription reminders can be skipped too.
  • Crowdsourced. Users submit the segments that others then skip.
  • Public database and API. Anyone can look at the data.
  • Invidious support. It works there as well as on YouTube.

Who it's for

SponsorBlock suits YouTube viewers who are tired of in-video sponsor reads, and people who like community-built tools. If you also want to stop the ads YouTube itself plays, add an ad blocker.

Is SponsorBlock a replacement for an ad blocker?

No. SponsorBlock skips sponsored segments inside the video. It does not remove the ads that YouTube plays before or during a video, and it does not block ads on other sites. Install it next to a real ad blocker. See our ad blockers guide for picks.

Is SponsorBlock safe, and what permissions does it ask for?

SponsorBlock is open source under GPL v3 or later, so its code can be read. Its manifest asks for storage, scripting and unlimitedStorage. It lists access to YouTube and sponsor.ajay.app, plus optional access to all sites, for places such as Invidious. We could not read the developer's privacy policy when we checked; read it before installing.

Why might a video have no skip points?

Segments come from the community. A very new video may not have any yet, and a quiet channel may have few. The README describes this crowdsourced model. If a video has no marked segments, SponsorBlock has nothing to skip, so you may still hear the sponsor read.

FAQ

Does it work on sites other than YouTube? It works on YouTube and on Invidious. Access to other sites is optional.

Can I add segments myself? Yes. Users submit segments, and the database is public.

Does it block YouTube's own ads? No. Use an ad blocker for that.

Good to know

Keep your ad blocker installed. SponsorBlock only covers the sponsored parts inside a video, so the two work side by side and do different jobs.

Other ad blockers to compare

SponsorBlock sits in our ad blockers guide as a companion pick, not as an ad blocker. For blocking ads, see these picks:

  • uBlock Origin Lite: A separate, lighter Manifest V3 extension by the author of uBlock Origin, using uBlock Origin's default lists.
  • Adblock Plus: Blocks ads using filter lists, with Acceptable Ads on by default.

Compare: DeArrow vs SponsorBlock

This is a third-party extension, not built or maintained by Xplorekit. We link to the official Chrome Web Store listing — install and permissions are entirely between you and the extension's own publisher.