Kick’s biggest change since launch

Kick is preparing for its most significant shift yet, with CEO Eddie Craven confirming that advertisements will be introduced to the platform at some point in the future. The move marks the beginning of the end for Kick’s long standing ad free viewing experience, one of the key reasons the streaming service has grown rapidly since launching in 2022.

Eddie says ads will be coming to Kick

“Kick will have ads at some point so enjoy the ad free experience while it lasts..no release date for ads at the moment but they’re gonna come..goal is to add ads that isn’t overtly intrusive”

pic.twitter.com/ZydDQwsthY

— yeet (@Awk20000) December 15, 2025

Speaking during recent livestreamed interviews and appearances on Kick Talks, Craven made it clear that while ads are not arriving immediately, they are inevitable. Viewers who prefer Kick over Twitch because streams are uninterrupted have been advised to enjoy the ad free experience while it lasts.

Why Kick is adding ads

According to Craven, Kick’s lack of ads has helped fuel its growth, especially among Spanish speaking audiences and viewers frustrated with frequent commercial breaks on rival platforms. However, that model has come at a cost.

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Craven openly admitted that Kick is currently losing money, saying the company “loses a little bit of money” by not running ads. While early backing from crypto gambling company Stake and several high profile exclusivity deals helped Kick gain attention, the platform now needs a more sustainable long term revenue strategy.

Advertising, Craven explained, will be a key backbone of Kick’s future monetisation plans, allowing the platform to support both its operations and its creators without relying on splashy one off contracts.

A promise to avoid intrusive ads

One of the biggest concerns for viewers is how ads will affect the viewing experience. Craven acknowledged that risk directly, stressing that Kick has no intention of overwhelming users with constant interruptions.

He reassured viewers that Kick will not “throw 1,000 ads at people” and hopes to design formats that are not overtly intrusive or disruptive. The goal, he said, is to protect the enjoyment of livestreams while still generating revenue.

Rather than traditional pre roll or mid stream ad breaks, Kick is exploring alternative approaches such as targeted sponsor integrations and creator driven advertising. This mirrors broader industry trends, with Twitch recently experimenting with muted picture in picture ads that have received relatively positive feedback.

What ads could mean for streamers

For creators, the introduction of ads could unlock new earning opportunities. Kick already offers one of the most generous revenue models in streaming, with a 95/5 revenue split and hourly pay that far exceeds Twitch’s standard 50/50 or 70/30 arrangements.

Advertising income could further strengthen Kick’s appeal, especially as it looks to retain top talent and attract new streamers. While Kick previously relied on expensive exclusivity deals for names like xQc and WestCOL, ads offer a more scalable way to support creator earnings across the platform.

Kick vs Twitch, the bigger picture

Kick’s rise has intensified the ongoing streaming wars. Twitch, owned by Amazon, still dominates the market with an estimated 140 million monthly users, but stricter content rules and heavier ad loads have pushed some creators to explore alternatives.

Kick’s looser moderation policies, higher revenue share, and rapid growth have helped lure high profile streamers such as Adin Ross, Amouranth, Mizkif, and Trainwreckstv. As of mid 2025, Kick’s monthly active users reportedly grew by 150 percent year on year, highlighting just how quickly the platform is expanding.

Adding ads may narrow one of Kick’s biggest points of difference, but it also signals that the platform is aiming for long term stability rather than short term hype.

No timeline yet, but change is coming

Craven was clear that there is no fixed launch date for ads on Kick. For now, the platform remains largely ad free, aside from banner placements. Still, the message is clear, change is on the horizon.

Viewers and streamers alike will be watching closely to see how Kick handles the transition, and whether it can introduce ads without losing the relaxed viewing experience that helped it stand out in the first place.

The post Kick CEO Confirms Ads Are Coming, Ending the Platform’s Ad Free Era appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Australia’s sweeping new social media restrictions for children are about to take full effect, and Twitch has now been confirmed as the latest platform to fall under the ban. Starting 10 December 2025, anyone under the age of 16 will be blocked from creating accounts, and existing accounts will be deactivated shortly after.

A Major Expansion of the Ban

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese first announced plans to enforce strict age limits on social media back in September 2024. One year later, the policy is ready to roll out, covering a long list of services including Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube.

After months of speculation over where Twitch would land, the eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant confirmed that the Amazon-owned livestreaming platform is now officially included. With Twitch heavily used by under-16s for gaming and creator interactions, regulators considered it a space for online social interaction rather than simply a gaming service.

Twitch has stated that users under 16 will be unable to create new accounts from 10 December. Existing under-16 profiles will begin shutting down from 9 January.

Why Twitch Was Included

While some early discussion suggested Twitch might be exempt due to its focus on gaming, eSafety ruled otherwise. On its website, the regulator explains that Twitch is “a platform most commonly used for livestreaming or posting content that enables users, including Australian children, to interact with others in relation to the content posted”.

This classification places it squarely within the scope of the ban, which targets apps encouraging open social communication among minors. Platforms that fail to take reasonable steps to remove under-16 accounts risk fines of up to roughly 50 million Australian dollars.

Which Platforms Are Covered

The full list of banned platforms for under-16s now includes:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• TikTok
• Snapchat
• YouTube
• Reddit
• X (formerly Twitter)
• Threads
• Kick
• Twitch

Some services such as Pinterest, YouTube Kids and Google Classroom remain exempt. The list may expand in the future if teenagers move to alternative platforms to circumvent restrictions.

How Age Checks and Account Removal Will Work

Each platform has been tasked with building its own age verification system. Government ID cannot be the sole method, meaning apps must combine multiple signals such as behavioural analysis, face or voice recognition, and automated age inference.

Meta will begin removing under-16 accounts from Facebook, Instagram and Threads on 4 December, allowing teens to download their photos and place accounts on hold until they turn 16. TikTok and Snapchat plan to introduce similar deactivation and archival options.

Users who are incorrectly flagged as underage will be able to appeal. Meta will use Yoti’s facial age estimation, while TikTok and others are rolling out their own review procedures.

Community Reactions

The announcement sparked strong reactions online, with thousands of social media posts ranging from support to frustration.

Some praised the move as overdue, saying social media pressures have become harmful for young teens. Others argued the ban is unrealistic, predicting teenagers will easily bypass restrictions using VPNs or fake birthdays.

One user joked that “Australian teens are about to be grounded by the entire internet”, while another said, “This won’t stop a teen that wants to access the platform, when there’s a will a way is going to show itself.”

Some parents voiced mixed feelings, noting similar rules already exist in parts of Europe, while creators expressed concern about how the ban might affect younger viewers.

What Happens Next

Tech companies now have just weeks to finalise their systems and prepare for the rollout. Australia is the first country to implement a ban of this scale, and its outcome is expected to shape global debates about online safety for young users.

For now, Twitch joins Kick and the rest of the major social media landscape in locking out under-16s, as the country pushes forward with one of the strictest internet safety policies in the world.

The post Twitch Officially Added to Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban appeared first on Shane the Gamer.