Amazon announced it will be eliminating the practice of sharing Prime memberships with individuals outside one’s household. This move marks a significant shift in the company’s policy regarding the popular membership program. Currently, Amazon Prime allows members to share benefits with up to four individuals, enabling them to enjoy perks like free shipping, streaming services, and more.

According to a statement from Amazon, the change aims to ensure that the benefits of Prime membership are used solely by members of the same household. This adjustment will be effective June 16, impacting those who have been utilizing the shared membership feature. The decision reflects Amazon’s efforts to streamline its services and tighten control over account usage.

While this modification may inconvenience some users accustomed to sharing Prime benefits with non-household members, it aligns with Amazon’s objective to enhance the value of its subscription service. The company continues to expand its offerings beyond just fast shipping, such as exclusive content on Prime Video and access to various digital services. This adjustment could potentially drive more individual Prime subscriptions.

Unnamed sources within Amazon suggest that the change is also a strategic move to crack down on unauthorized sharing and potentially boost revenue by encouraging more individual sign-ups. This shift comes amidst Amazon’s ongoing efforts to optimize its operations and enhance customer experience. Prime members are advised to review their account settings and make necessary adjustments before the new policy takes effect to avoid any disruptions in service.

As Amazon moves towards eliminating the option of sharing Prime benefits with non-household members, it underscores the company’s focus on refining its subscription model and strengthening user engagement within individual accounts. This change may prompt current users to reassess their membership usage and consider individual subscriptions to fully capitalize on Amazon’s diverse array of services.