Ads on Amazon Prime Video: Everything You Need to Know
Hi Online Friends,
If you are a fan of streaming movies and TV shows, you probably have heard of Amazon Prime Video, one of the most popular and widely used streaming services in the world. Amazon Prime Video offers thousands of titles, including original series, exclusive movies, and live sports, for a monthly or annual fee. But did you know that some of the content on Amazon Prime Video has ads?
Yes, you read that right. Amazon Prime Video has recently started running commercials on some of its content in the US. These ads are currently limited to TVs and are not available on other devices like computers, tablets, or smartphones. The ads are also targeted based on your viewing history and related to your recently watched content.
But what does this mean for you as a viewer? How do the ads affect your streaming experience? Are they optional or mandatory? How can you avoid them or skip them? And why does Amazon Prime Video have ads in the first place?
In this article, we will answer all these questions and more. We will explain everything you need to know about ads on Amazon Prime Video, including their types, formats, placements, frequency, impact, and purpose. We will also compare Amazon Prime Video with other streaming services that have ads or offer ad-free plans. By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of the pros and cons of ads on Amazon Prime Video and how to make the best of your streaming experience.
What are the types of ads on Amazon Prime Video?
The ads on Amazon Prime Video are not new, as Amazon has been running ads on some of its content for a long time, especially on its free streaming service IMDb TV, which is integrated with Prime Video. IMDb TV offers a large catalog of movies and TV shows that are supported by ads. Users can watch IMDb TV content for free, but they have to endure frequent commercial breaks.
The ads on Amazon Prime Video are different from the ads on IMDb TV. The ads on Prime Video are mostly sponsored product videos or sponsored brands that appear in the "More Like This" or "Watch Next" recommendations under the video, or in the right sidebar of the device's screen. The ads can be skipped after 5 seconds, and they do not interrupt the playback of the video.
Sponsored product videos
Sponsored product videos are short videos that showcase a product or service that is related to the content you are watching. For example, if you are watching a movie about camping, you may see an ad for a tent or a sleeping bag. The sponsored product videos are usually from Amazon or its partners, and they link to the product page where you can buy or learn more about the item.
Sponsored product videos are designed to provide you with more options and information about the products you may be interested in. They are also meant to increase your engagement and loyalty with Amazon and its partners. However, some users may find them irrelevant or distracting, especially if they are not interested in buying anything.
Sponsored brands
Sponsored brands are banner ads that display a logo and a slogan of a brand that is related to the content you are watching. For example, if you are watching a comedy show, you may see an ad for a snack or a beverage brand. The sponsored brands are usually from Amazon or its partners, and they link to the brand page where you can see more products or offers from that brand.
Sponsored brands are designed to increase your awareness and recognition of the brands that sponsor the content you enjoy. They are also meant to drive more traffic and sales to Amazon and its partners. However, some users may find them annoying or intrusive, especially if they take up too much space on the screen.
How do the ads affect your streaming experience?
The impact of the ads on your streaming experience may vary depending on several factors, such as the content, the device, your preferences, and your expectations. Some users may not mind the ads at all, while others may find them very bothersome. Here are some of the possible effects of the ads on your streaming experience:
Pros
Some of the positive effects of the ads on your streaming experience are:
- You may discover new products or services that suit your needs or interests.
- You may get more value and variety from your subscription fee.
- You may support the content creators and the streaming platform.
- You may enjoy more personalized and relevant recommendations.
- You may skip most of the ads after 5 seconds.
Cons
Some of the negative effects of the ads on your streaming experience are:
- You may feel annoyed or distracted by the ads.
- You may lose immersion or continuity in the content.
- You may feel cheated or misled by the ads.
- You may have privacy or security concerns about the ads.
- You may have limited control or choice over the ads.
How can you avoid or skip the ads?
If you are not a fan of the ads on Amazon Prime Video, you may wonder if there is a way to avoid or skip them. Unfortunately, there is no official or easy way to do so, as Amazon does not offer an ad-free plan or an option to disable the ads. However, there are some possible workarounds that you can try, such as:
Use a different device
As mentioned earlier, the ads on Amazon Prime Video are currently limited to TVs and are not available on other devices like computers, tablets, or smartphones. Therefore, if you want to watch ad-free content on Prime Video, you can switch to a different device that does not show the ads. However, this may not be convenient or comfortable for some users, especially if they prefer watching on a larger screen.
Use a VPN
A VPN (virtual private network) is a service that encrypts and routes your internet traffic through a remote server in another location. This can help you access geo-restricted content, protect your online privacy, and bypass censorship. It can also help you avoid the ads on Amazon Prime Video, as the ads are only shown in certain regions, such as the US. Therefore, if you use a VPN to connect to a server in another country that does not have the ads, you may be able to watch ad-free content on Prime Video. However, this may not be legal or ethical, and it may violate Amazon's terms of service. It may also affect your streaming quality and speed.
Use an ad blocker
An ad blocker is a software or extension that blocks or removes ads from websites and apps. It can help you improve your browsing experience, save bandwidth, and enhance your security. It can also help you block the ads on Amazon Prime Video, as the ads are delivered through web-based technologies. Therefore, if you use an ad blocker on your device or browser, you may be able to prevent the ads from loading or displaying on Prime Video. However, this may not work for all devices or browsers, and it may interfere with other features or functions of Prime Video. It may also violate Amazon's terms of service.
A detailed table breakdown related to the topic
To help you compare Amazon Prime Video with other streaming services that have ads or offer ad-free plans, we have created a detailed table breakdown that shows their features, prices, content, and more. Here is the table:
Streaming service | Price (per month) | Ad-supported plan | Ad-free plan | Content (hours) | Originals | Live TV | Offline viewing | Multiple streams | 4K/UHD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Amazon Prime Video | $8.99 (or $12.99 with Prime membership) | Yes (some content) | No | 20,000+ | Yes (e.g., The Boys, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) | Yes (e.g., NFL Thursday Night Football) | Yes (some content) | Yes (up to 3) | Yes (some content) |
Hulu | $5.99 (or $64.99 with Live TV) | Yes (all content) | $11.99 (or $70.99 with Live TV) | 10,000+ | Yes (e.g., The Handmaid's Tale, The Bear) | Yes (with Live TV plan) | Yes (some content) | Yes (up to 2; up to 3 with Live TV plan) | No |
Peacock | $4.99 (or free with limited content) | Yes (all content) | $9.99 | 15,000+ | Yes (e.g., Brave New World, Saved by the Bell) | No | No | No | No |
Paramount+ | $5.99 (or $9.99 with no ads on demand) | Yes (all content) | $9.99 | 30,000+ | Yes (e.g., Star Trek: Discovery, The Good Fight) | Yes (with live CBS channels) | Yes (some content) | Yes (up to 3) | Yes (some content) |
HBO Max | $14.99 | No | $9.99 (coming in June 2023) | 10,000+ | Yes (e.g., Game of Thrones, The Sopranos) | No | Yes (some content) | Yes (up to 3) | Yes (some content) |
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