Amazon Prime Video Now Has Ads, Here's How to Block Them

Amazon Prime Video is a bonus feature that comes with your Amazon Prime membership, but you also have the option to purchase it as a separate streaming service. While Amazon Prime Video has offered Freevee content with ads, streamers were able to enjoy Prime Video content ad-free. As of January 29th, 2024, all content now includes ads unless you purchase the ad-free upgrade for $2.99 per month. (This change is on par with other popular streaming services and streaming platforms.)

If sponsored ads sound annoying to you, you may want to consider using a proven ad blocker. Someone may say, “Why would I pay for an ad blocker instead of just paying for the ad-free experience?” Valid point. Consider, however, that an ad blocker can block ads across the internet, sometimes even on YouTube, while the Amazon Prime upgrade only takes care of ads on its platform.

If you’re curious about ad blockers, how they work, and which ones can unblock streaming like Amazon Prime Video, we’ve got everything you need to know.

How to block ads on Amazon Prime Video using an ad blocker

An ad blocker works by scanning the code of a website or online platform as it loads and then blocking the elements that resemble advertisements. Ad blocker services keep giant blocklists (lists of elements the ad blocker knows to block given the way they behave), which the blocker service references when it’s looking at the code on a site. Essentially, the ad blocker works the same way an antivirus does — by identifying and blocking known code or behaviors.

If you want to skip ads on Amazon Prime, a good, trustworthy ad blocker should be able to get rid of them, even on Freevee content. It’ll be easiest to install on a browser and watch on your computer, but you can add a DNS server to your router to block ads on your smart TV, mobile devices, and anything else connected to your home network. If you aren’t confident, there are products like Surfshark’s CleanWeb that will walk you through installation. Bonus points if you get a bundled package with Surfshark’s VPN and CleanWeb so you can block ads and keep your data safe.

Best ad blockers to use with Amazon Prime Video

Ad blockers have long been used by internet privacy advocates to help stop trackers and improve the browsing experience. If you’ve never used an ad blocker before, you’ll wonder how you ever got along without it when you get one. In addition to helping block ads on streaming, the best ad blockers can clean up blog posts, stop trackers, and even deny cookies in some cases.

1. Total AdBlock

This easy-to-use ad blocker offers a 7-day free trial so you can see just how good it is before making a commitment. Total AdBlock is available for Chrome, Edge, Opera, Safari, Amazon Fire HD, iOS, and Android, so you can cover almost any internet-connected device. And if you’re thinking you need a little extra security, Total AdBlock includes its award-winning antivirus software TotalAV. It’s a win-win.

Get Total AdBlock | Read Our Total Adblock Review

2. NordVPN Threat Protection

NordVPN is one of the best virtual private network options, and its Threat Protection add-on blocks ads and trackers as well. Threat Protection Lite works with Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. Covering up to 10 devices, NordVPN Threat Protection is an easy-to-use service with real-time protection. Plus, you get the added security bonus of a VPN.

Get NordVPN Threat Protection | Read Our NordVPN Threat Protection Review

3. Surfshark CleanWeb

If you’re looking for an ad blocker with a lot more to offer, try Surfshark’s CleanWeb, which comes bundled with the Surfshark VPN subscription. You can install the Surfshark VPN on your router to activate protection on all your devices, not just the ones with apps and browsers. For those of us who like to watch shows on our TVs, this is a win. Surfshark offers budget-friendly plans and covers unlimited devices simultaneously. 

Get Surfshark | Read Our Surfshark CleanWeb Review

Top 3 ad blockers for Amazon Prime Video compared

Other ways to stream Amazon Prime Video ad-free

If you’re not interested in ads distracting you from your viewing experiences, there are a few options for you in addition to an ad blocker. You could definitely pay the additional $2.99 per month to skip Prime Video ads, but you could also find other methods like paying individually for the third-party channels.

There’s a lot of talk on Reddit regarding third-party channels also receiving ads on Amazon. Users report ads being included in channels they pay for to specifically be ad-free, like Paramount+. Many users have noted they’ll be canceling through Amazon and subscribing to these services on their own so they can avoid the advertisements.

Use an ad blocker extension

An ad blocker extension on a browser is the easiest way to add an ad blocker to Amazon Prime Video. Some popular options include uBlock Origin, AdGuard, Ghostery, and AdLock. You can also find ad blocker extensions included with various antivirus programs like the TotalAV Total Security plan. Products like Surfshark can be installed at the router level so you can access CleanWeb on devices you normally wouldn’t be able to, like your smart TV.

Add the ad-free experience to your membership

For an additional $2.99 a month, Prime members can upgrade to an ad-free option. If you don’t mind the additional fee, this is the easiest way to get rid of ads. We suggest signing up only through verified Amazon Prime Video apps and sites, though, to avoid getting scammed.

Consider alternative ad-free streaming services

If you don’t mind ads on your Prime Video content but draw the line on additional channels like Paramount+, Starz, or Showtime that you pay for through Amazon Prime Video, you can subscribe to those services individually. All three can be purchased independently of Amazon Prime. Again, we suggest only purchasing through a verified source like the app itself or a verified third party similar to Amazon Prime.

Step-by-step guide on how to use an Amazon Prime Video ad blocker

We like Surfshark CleanWeb because it not only blocks ads but also provides other security benefits like malware protection, data breach alerts, and a cookie pop-up blocker. You can use CleanWeb as a browser extension or activate it in the Surfshark app to use with other apps.

To use Surfshark CleanWeb in the app:

• Open your Surfshark App
• Click on Features
• Locate CleanWeb and toggle on

To use Surfshark CleanWeb as a browser extension (only available for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge):

• Download the Surfshark browser extension from your Surfshark app or your browser’s extension library
• Enable the browser extension
• Click on the CleanWeb icon
• Enable CleanWeb

FAQs

Bottom line: Lose the ads, not the drama

Whether or not you’re old enough to remember commercials on television, you may not want to relive that experience now. An ad blocker can help you stream ad-free by blocking ads. By using a quality ad blocker on your laptop or desktop browser (or even on your router), you can disable the ads that are plaguing your binge fest. If you’re like us and are waiting for the next season of The Summer I Turned Pretty, you can rest assured knowing that you’ll be able to catch up with Belly and the gang without interruption.