Microsoft has begun displaying advertisements within its Microsoft 365 applications to users who subscribe to paid Personal and Family plans. These ads, which aim to promote AI Copilot features, have been observed appearing as users open documents and cannot be dismissed.
According to reports, the advertisements, including a prominent "Supercharge your AI experience" banner, were first noticed by users in late April and have been rolled out to Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers. These plans typically cost around $130 annually. One of the ads presents a "limited-time offer" for access to Microsoft 365 Premium and its exclusive Copilot features. A persistent "Upgrade your plan" button also remains visible at the top right of the document interface.
Complaints regarding these intrusive ads have surfaced on Microsoft's feedback portals. Users expressed frustration, particularly as a key benefit of paying for a Microsoft 365 subscription is the promise of an ad-free experience, including in email services. Reports suggest the ads may reappear periodically, even if users attempt to dismiss them.
The implementation of these advertisements comes as Microsoft reportedly invests heavily in AI development. The company has allocated significant financial resources to building AI data centers, which have yet to demonstrate profitability. This push for AI features is seen as a potential effort to show investors a return on these substantial investments. Some analysts suggest this financial pressure may be a factor in the increased promotion of Copilot services within existing subscription products.