It sounds like the new Sponsored+ option is a great idea, since it will give you extra userpics without having to pay. If you're particularly annoyed by having to look at text ads, you can try
AdBlock and/or
Yield Manager. Note, of course, that these will not remove the ads from sponsored+ journals, it will just block them for you. Free users, Sponsored+ users, and non-logged-in paid users will still see the ads unless they have a blocker as well.
Info from
Fandom Discuss.