Is YouTube Premium Worth It? Full Review Of YouTube Premium

Is it really worth the money to pay for YouTube Premium? This blog post goes into great detail about YouTube Premium to give you an in-depth review and answer the important question: Is YouTube Premium Worth It?

We look at all of the features, from the draw of not seeing ads to the secret gems of YouTube Originals and the huge world of YouTube Premium Music. Let’s break down the pros and cons, show you the special benefits, and help you decide if YouTube Premium is the right thing to add to your digital entertainment library.

What Is YouTube Premium?

YouTube Premium is a subscription-based service designed to enhance the user experience on YouTube. Users gain access to a range of exclusive perks by opting for a Premium membership. The standout feature is watching millions of videos without encountering ads before or during playback, eliminating interruptions for a seamless viewing experience. 

This includes ads that typically appear on top of videos. YouTube Premium goes beyond ad-free viewing, offering additional benefits such as access to YouTube Premium Music, where users can enjoy a vast library of songs and music videos. By choosing YouTube Premium, subscribers can enjoy an uninterrupted and enhanced YouTube journey, free from the disruptions of advertisements.

Is YouTube Premium Worth It?

No, YouTube Premium will not be ideal if you seek an alternative to comprehensive streaming services like Amazon Prime, Netflix, Disney+, Paramount+, or Hulu. However, it becomes a valuable investment if you value an enhanced music streaming experience and an ad-free YouTube environment. 

YouTube Premium improves your video-viewing experience and supports content creators you love. With the acknowledgment that ad blockers can’t remove ads from YouTube, Premium is the official solution for uninterrupted viewing. If you haven’t tried it yet, the improved experience and support for creators might make YouTube Premium a worthwhile addition to your streaming subscriptions.

Is YouTube Premium Free Of Cost?

No, YouTube Premium is not free of cost. It is a paid subscription service that offers various perks to enhance the user experience on YouTube. Subscribers to YouTube Premium enjoy watching millions of videos without encountering ads before or during playback. This ad-free experience extends to ads typically appearing on top of videos. While YouTube provides free access to its platform with ads, the Premium subscription is designed for users who want an uninterrupted and enhanced viewing experience, and it comes with a monthly or annual subscription fee.

What Is The Price Of YouTube Premium In 2023?

As of 2023, the pricing for YouTube Premium has slightly increased. The monthly subscription fee has been adjusted to $10.99, up from the previous $9.99, offering users an ad-free and enhanced viewing experience. The cost has risen to $13.99 for individual plans from the previous $11.99. Additionally, YouTube Premium now provides the option of an Annual Plan, catering to those who prefer a one-time upfront payment. 

This Annual Plan, available for both YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium, grants subscribers access to premium features for twelve months from the date of purchase. Reviewing the eligibility criteria to determine if the Annual Plan aligns with your preferences and usage patterns is essential, providing users with flexibility and choice in their subscription plans.

Basic Features Of YouTube Premium

YouTube Premium is a subscription-based service offering a range of features to enhance your viewing experience. From ad-free videos to exclusive content and offline playback, here’s a detailed look at the key features that make YouTube Premium a worthwhile investment.

1. Ad-Free Viewing: A Seamless Experience

The standout feature of YouTube Premium is the ability to watch videos without intrusive ads. The annoyance of interruptions during your favorite content can be eliminated with this subscription. Given YouTube’s global user base exceeding 50 million, it’s evident that the ad-free experience is a significant draw for users seeking uninterrupted video enjoyment. With the service provided for free, ads can still appear even if creators choose not to monetize their channels, making the ad-free experience of YouTube Premium particularly appealing.

2. YouTube Music Premium: Elevating Your Music Experience

YouTube Premium includes access to YouTube Music Premium, a music app with millions of songs, official music videos, live performances, and curated playlists. Subscribers can enjoy uninterrupted music, even offline, making it ideal for limited internet access. The personalized playlists and mixes offered by the app provide a unique and tailored music discovery experience. While other ad-supported music services exist, the offline option and absence of default album shuffle set YouTube Music Premium apart.

3. Offline Playback: Your Entertainment Anywhere

One of the practical perks of YouTube Premium is the ability to download videos for offline playback. Whether on a flight, in a remote area with no internet access, or simply wanting to save on data usage, the offline playback feature allows you to enjoy your favorite videos at your convenience. This feature expands the flexibility of your entertainment options, enabling you to watch content without relying on a constant internet connection.

4. Background Play: Uninterrupted Audio Enjoyment

A feature often overlooked but appreciated by those who use it is background play. YouTube Premium allows users to listen to music, watch videos, or listen to podcasts with the screen locked or while using other apps. This feature is handy for creating a seamless audio experience, whether relaxing, working, or trying to fall asleep. While other music services like Spotify offer background play, YouTube Premium provides an all-in-one solution for video and music enthusiasts.

5. YouTube Originals: Unveiling Exclusive Premium Content

In addition to the ad-free YouTube Originals, another enticing feature is the access to exclusive premium content. YouTube Originals, a platform for original programming, offers subscribers a diverse range of shows, documentaries, and movies created by renowned producers and emerging talents. 

Subscribers enjoy an ad-free experience and gain entry to a library of YouTube Originals, ranging from thrilling dramas to thought-provoking documentaries. This feature enhances the entertainment variety for users and supports creators in producing innovative, premium content that may not be possible without the support of YouTube Premium subscribers. YouTube Originals adds extra value to the subscription experience for those seeking fresh, exclusive content.

YouTube Premium: Optimized Features For Mobile Users

YouTube Premium offers a range of unique features specifically designed for mobile users, enhancing the overall mobile viewing experience. Here are some key advantages tailored for users on the go:

1. Background Play: Uninterrupted Audio Enjoyment

One standout feature for mobile users is the ability to play videos in the background. Whether listening to music or a podcast, you can continue enjoying content even when your screen is turned off or switching between apps. This feature is convenient when creating a seamless audio experience without constantly engaging with your device.

2. Video Downloads: Entertainment Anytime, Anywhere

YouTube Premium enables users to download videos for offline viewing. This feature is invaluable for mobile users, allowing them to save videos and watch them later without an internet connection. This proves beneficial during long journeys, commutes, or situations where access to the internet is limited. It allows users to enjoy their favorite content on the go without worrying about data constraints.

3. YouTube Kids: A Safe and Ad-Free Space

For parents, YouTube Premium extends its benefits to the YouTube Kids app. Besides ad-free viewing, parents can download content for offline use, making it ideal for extended travel periods, such as airplane or car journeys. The combination of a safe viewing environment and offline accessibility enhances the convenience for families, ensuring that children can enjoy their favorite content without interruptions or the need for an internet connection.

The Best Parts Of YouTube Premium

YouTube Premium offers a range of benefits beyond removing ads, providing users with an enhanced and enjoyable experience. Here are some of the standout features:

1. Ad-Free Experience: Uninterrupted Viewing Pleasure

The primary allure of YouTube Premium lies in its ad-free experience. The removal of ads, including double pre-roll and unskippable advertisements, significantly improves the overall enjoyment of content. Mobile users, in particular, find this feature invaluable, as it eliminates the intrusive nature of mobile ads that can be challenging to disable. With fewer interruptions, watching content on larger screens, whether through casting or using the smart TV app, becomes a more enjoyable experience.

2. Income Sharing: Supporting Your Favorite Creators

An often underappreciated perk of YouTube Premium is the income-sharing feature. Premium subscribers contribute to the revenue pool distributed to creators based on views. This offers a tangible way for users to support their favorite YouTubers financially. As creators receive a share of the subscription revenue, this becomes a valuable means of backing content producers, especially in cases where videos may be demonetized.

3. YouTube Premium Music: A Comprehensive Music Experience

YouTube Premium includes access to YouTube Premium Music, an underrated feature that provides subscribers with an extensive library of countless tracks. This music streaming service allows users to discover and enjoy a wide range of music and enables them to listen to music videos even with the screen locked. The seamless video integration enhances the music streaming experience, making it a versatile option for music enthusiasts.

4. Wide Range of Music Styles and Performers

With YouTube Premium Music, subscribers gain access to a diverse array of music styles and performers. The extensive catalog caters to even the most discerning music lovers, offering a comparable experience to other premium music streaming services. Users can enjoy the benefits of ad-free YouTube and a comprehensive music streaming platform for just an additional $2 per month compared to services like Spotify Premium.

YouTube Premium: Areas for Improvement

While YouTube Premium offers a range of features, there are areas where the service may benefit from some changes to enhance user satisfaction.

1. Original Content Quality: Focused on Celebrities

After its introduction, YouTube Premium emphasized original content, but the focus on high-quality shows featuring popular YouTubers was not consistently delivered. The decline in content quality is noticeable, and many of these shows are now accessible on free accounts with advertisements. Additionally, there is a shift towards featuring celebrities over homegrown YouTube talent, potentially leaving the platform’s original creators feeling underutilized.

2. Untapped Potential of Current Producers: Missed Opportunities

YouTube may be missing out on maximizing the potential of its current producers. Limited resources have hindered the platform from fully unleashing the creative potential of some of its creators. Collaborations with established channels like Kurzgesagt, Crash Course, or others could elevate YouTube Premium’s content offerings and replicate successes seen in partnerships with celebrities.

3. Poor Visibility of Originals: Undiscovered Gems

Despite being available for a significant time, YouTube Originals often lack visibility. Many users, even those who enjoy celebrity videos, may not frequently come across Originals in their recommendations or home pages. This diminishes the chances of viewers discovering great, underappreciated documentaries or series like “The Boy Band Con.”

4. Originals Page Design: User-Friendly Navigation

The Originals page on YouTube Premium is poorly designed, making it challenging for users to find new and exciting content. A more user-friendly and intuitive navigation system for Originals could significantly improve the discoverability of unique and engaging shows.

5. Pricing Concerns: Value Proposition

For some users, the pricing of YouTube Premium may be a significant concern. When not considering YouTube Music Premium, the $11.99/month subscription fee for an ad-free experience and limited unique content may be perceived as steep, especially for long-time users accustomed to accessing content for free. A reassessment of pricing or introducing more compelling exclusive content could enhance the value proposition for potential subscribers.

FAQs

Is YouTube Premium the same as YouTube?

YouTube Premium is a subscription-based service that offers additional features beyond the free YouTube platform. It includes benefits such as ad-free viewing, offline downloads, and access to YouTube Music.

Can I watch YouTube Originals without a subscription?

Some YouTube Originals are free with ads on the standard YouTube platform. However, the complete ad-free experience and access to all Originals content require a YouTube Premium subscription.

What devices can I use for YouTube Premium?

YouTube Premium is accessible on various devices, including smartphones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, and gaming consoles, allowing users to enjoy its features across multiple platforms.

Does YouTube Premium include YouTube Music?

Yes, YouTube Premium includes:

• A subscription to YouTube Music.
• Offering users access to a vast library of songs.
• Music videos.
• Additional features like offline listening and background play.

Can I share my YouTube Premium subscription with family members?

YouTube Premium subscriptions offer a family-sharing option, allowing the primary account holder to add up to five family members to the plan and providing them access to the Premium features.

What happens if I cancel my YouTube Premium subscription?

Upon cancelation, the benefits of YouTube Premium, such as ad-free viewing, offline downloads, and access to YouTube Music, will cease at the end of the billing cycle. Users will revert to the free, ad-supported version of YouTube.

Are there student discounts available for YouTube Premium?

YouTube Premium offers student discounts in some regions, providing eligible students a reduced subscription fee. Eligibility requirements may vary based on location.

Finally, Does YouTube Music Compare To Spotify?

When comparing YouTube Music to Spotify, Spotify holds an advantage regarding audio technical quality. Spotify’s free edition supports a higher streaming quality of 160 kbps, surpassing YouTube Music’s online player, which is limited to 128 kbps. 

The difference in audio quality may be noticeable to users with a keen ear for sound, making Spotify a preferable choice for those who prioritize superior audio experiences in their music streaming service.