Twitch is testing a new kind of advertisement that appears when viewers pause a stream. This change was announced on February 10, 2026, as part of an experiment called “pause-screen ads.” The goal is to increase revenue for streamers without interrupting the live stream since the video still plays in the background. However, the new ads pop up even if viewers just step away and pause, which has caused complaints from both viewers and streamers. Many users say these ads could make them fall behind the live stream or disrupt their viewing habits. People also worry that pausing is often used to quickly look up information, and ads could irritate them enough to stop using Twitch. Popular streamers have voiced concerns that these ads might damage the viewer experience and hurt their streams. Twitch continues to test skippable ads too, hoping to find a balance. Despite the backlash, Twitch says the test aims to help streamers earn more without fully disturbing users. The pause-screen ads highlight the ongoing challenge Twitch faces: making money while keeping viewers happy.