diff --git a/r2/example.ini b/r2/example.ini
index 707645d3f..95b4890bf 100644
--- a/r2/example.ini
+++ b/r2/example.ini
@@ -36,6 +36,9 @@ FEEDSECRET = abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
 
 INDEXTANK_API_URL =
 
+# -- feature toggles --
+disable_ads = false
+
 # -- important settings -- 
 # the domain that this app serves itself up as
 domain = reddit.local
diff --git a/r2/r2/lib/pages/pages.py b/r2/r2/lib/pages/pages.py
index d424aa425..cff198add 100644
--- a/r2/r2/lib/pages/pages.py
+++ b/r2/r2/lib/pages/pages.py
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ class Reddit(Templated):
         if not isinstance(c.site, FakeSubreddit) and not c.cname:
             #don't show the subreddit info bar on cnames
             ps.append(SubredditInfoBar())
-            if c.user.pref_show_adbox or not c.user.gold:
+            if (c.user.pref_show_adbox or not c.user.gold) and not g.disable_ads:
                 ps.append(Ads())
             no_ads_yet = False
 
@@ -265,7 +265,7 @@ class Reddit(Templated):
                 ps.append(SideContentBox(_('admin box'), self.sr_admin_menu()))
 
 
-        if no_ads_yet:
+        if no_ads_yet and not g.disable_ads:
             if c.user.pref_show_adbox or not c.user.gold:
                 ps.append(Ads())