Netflix Has Begun Trialing Ads: Here's How to Opt-Out

Noticed any ads popping up on Netflix? You're not alone.

Nobody likes ads. We all know this. In fact, people hate ads so much they will often pay for the premium version of a service to stop seeing or hearing them.

Services like Netflix, a paid streaming outfit that, unlike free-to-air and cable television, is not supposed to have any frustrating advertisements.

So, it was understandable that some people were visibly upset on Twitter after they noticed Netflix was playing video ads between all those episodes they were bingeing. 

Hey @netflix , we pay a subscription so we don't have to see ads for shit.
We.
Don't.
Want.
This.

You have a lot of market share right now. You do this, and you will quickly learn that we users don't have brand loyalty when a competitor without commercials pops up.

— Jason Folkers (@hypothetical6) August 17, 2018

netflix has started putting ads for its shitty standup specials in between episodes of frasier. and probably other shows but ive got frasier on and it feels particularly offensive. keep frasier pure

— libby watson (@libbycwatson) August 17, 2018

Netflix adding ads defeat the whole point of paid subscription.

— JR - Anime & Comics (@Jrnotjnr) August 18, 2018

Yes, opinions were had.

Netflix explained that these ads (which are actually just previews of other Netflix shows) are being trialed on select accounts to help viewers discover new shows.

"We conduct hundreds of tests every year so we can better understand what helps members more easily find something great to watch," a Netflix spokesperson told Student Edge.

"A couple of years ago, we introduced video previews to the TV experience, because we saw that it significantly cut the time members spend browsing and helped them find something they would enjoy watching even faster.

"Since then, we have been experimenting even more with video based on personalised recommendations for shows and movies on the service or coming shortly, and continue to learn from our members."

The most important part? You can skip the video previews at any time if you're not interested.

So, hey, it's not the end of the world and if you desperately don't want to be a test mouse for Netflix's new ad trial, just opt out here. 

Header Image: FOX