How to manage ad preferences
By sharing your ad preferences, you can control the types of ads shown on the Home Screen and screensaver of your Roku streaming device.
This article provides instructions on how to change ad preferences and hide specific ads. You can also learn how to change theme pack and wallpaper settings.
- Note: These settings will only apply to non-video, banner ads that appear in Roku menus and screensavers.
How to change ad preferences
Roku allows you to limit the types of ads shown on your device, by either hiding individual ads or limiting certain ad categories.
Use the following instructions to opt-out of ads that may contain sensitive content:
- Press Home
on your Roku remote - Scroll and select Settings
- Select Privacy
- Select Advertising
- Select Sensitive ad content
- Select one or more sensitive ad categories
- Press OK
Checking a sensitive ad category means you are restricting the types of ads Roku will be able to show on your Home Screen and screensaver. Your ad preferences are immediately saved and will be applied to all streaming devices connected to your Roku account.
- Note: Ad preferences can only be used if Personalized Ads is enabled.
How to hide an ad
Certain ad types on the Home Screen can be hidden and replaced with an alternative ad. Use the following instructions to hide and replace the ad on the right side of your Home Screen.
- Select the ad using the directional pad on your Roku remote
- Press Star
- Select Hide this ad and press OK
A new ad will replace the ad you have chosen to hide.
How ad preferences work
Hiding an ad by using the Star button prevents that ad from being displayed on a particular device, such as a TV in your child's bedroom. Sensitive Ad Content settings are applied to all streaming devices connected to your Roku account.
Hiding specific ads or limiting ads that fall into specific content categories is currently limited to display ads. There are certain types of ads where Roku is currently unable to apply your ad preferences. Examples of these are:
- Video ads
- Ads within channel partner apps
- Certain ads that are displayed to all users, like themed backgrounds
What are the sensitive ad categories?
The sensitive ad categories include:
- Alcohol, smoking, and gambling
- Horror
- Mature / sexual content
- Medication and supplements
- Politics
- Religion and spirituality
- Violence
Why do I see an ad from a sensitive category I selected?
Occasionally there are ads that have been misclassified as sensitive content or have a subjective interpretation. Roku only classifies ads based on the content of the banner image itself, and not the movie or show it represents. You can hide ads on the right side of Home Screen that you may find offensive following the steps in the previous section.
Why do I still see an ad that I already hid?
Due to the various ways ads get delivered, it is possible for an ad to reappear in some cases. If a previously hidden ad reappears, you can request to hide it again.
Why have I reached a limit to the number of ads I can hide?
Roku uses your ad preferences to deliver ads that are most relevant to you. By placing a daily limit on the number of ads that can be hidden, Roku ensures that the feature cannot be abused. This limit is reset every 24 hours.