Amazon rolled out advertisements in Prime Video content for customers in the US in January 2024. Since then, it has reportedly increased the ad load. If you're reading this, you might be missing the commercial-free days of yore.
Whether you're accessing Prime Video through an Amazon Prime membership ($15 a month or $139 a year) or a $9-a-month standalone Prime Video membership, you can remove ads on movies and TV shows for an extra $3 a month. Amazon notes that "some content will continue to include advertising, such as live TV and sports events."
For current Prime Video customers, the process of going ad-free is pretty straightforward. If you're new to the streaming service, you'll need to sign up for either a Prime Video subscription or a Prime subscription -- both come with the default, ad-supported version of Prime Video -- before you can upgrade to the ad-free version of the streaming service, according to Amazon.
If you opt for the basic, ad-supported version of Prime Video, you won't be able to watch with Dolby Atmos or Dolby Vision. Instead, you'll have 5.1-channel Dolby Digital Plus and HDR 10 (as tested by CNET). Dolby Vision's functionally is very similar to HDR 10, so you may not mind that difference.
Prime Video has some free, ad-supported programming that will have commercials even if you pay for no ads. Content that applies to will be labeled "Watch for free" or "Only available with ads." CNET's Kourtnee Jackson tested Prime Video with ads in the early days and noted that commercial breaks didn't last as long as interruptions on competitors like Netflix and Hulu. But if you're dedicated to your ad-free streaming routine, you don't have to stick with the ad-based version of the service.
Below, you'll find ways to upgrade to Prime Video if you're an existing or new customer. If you currently have Prime Video through a free trial and want to upgrade to ad-free, you'll also need to pay $3 a month, according to Amazon. Note this applies to US-based customers.
How to upgrade if you already have Prime Video
On the web
After testing different ways to upgrade, I had the easiest time using the web. The phrase "Go ad free" was in a row of selections on the homepage. Clicking that took me to Account & Settings and another Go ad free message. Pressing that gave me the option to start my ad-less subscription. I could also reach Account & Settings by hovering over my profile name.
While I was using the site, a pop-up window (pictured below) appeared and prompted me to upgrade.
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