If you haven't already seen them for yourself, then you've probably heard about Netflix's new ads. The streaming giant is currently testing the idea with select subscribers by showing trailers for other titles in its video library in between episodes of whatever a user is watching. While Netflix told Fortune that the ads aren't paid commercials — and instead among the "hundreds of tests" done every year — several people on Reddit claimed last week that they had seen ads for shows like Better Caul Saul. These particular ads were supposedly unskippable.
However, Netflix has since stated that anyone seeing ads should be able to skip them. If you've noticed these popping up — or you want to prevent them from doing so — there's actually a way to avoid the ads altogether.
Here's the process, according to CNET:
- Open Netflix in a browser on your phone, tablet, or computer. You can't use the app.
- Click on your profile picture (which can be found in the top right on a computer), and then select "Account."
- On the Account page, scroll down to the "Settings" section and click "Test participation."
- Turn off the "Include me in tests and previews" option, and then click "Done."
Ta-dah! You've ensured that you'll never have to watch any of Netflix's new ads — for now, at least. There's no telling if the feature will move out of the testing stage and be implemented for all subscribers. Like Hulu currently does, Netflix may eventually offer tiered subscriptions where users choose between plans with limited commercials, or none at all, at a higher price.
That said, the ads may not be that bad of an idea. Netflix spokesperson Smita Saran told Bustle that the promos actually double as recommendations for subscribers. "There is an idea that these are commercials or ads," she said. "But they’re actually personalized recommendations similar to the recommendations that a user would see on the home screen [of the Netflix service]."
Regardless, happy binging!