YouTube is the number one online streaming platform today for entertainment videos for music (and music videos). But more than that, we have seen over the years how the platform has evolved from just hosting videos mainly for music and music videos to becoming the place for uploading, listening and watching vlogs, interviews, news, podcasts, documentaries, movies, series, and more. Yes, it has now become almost an all-in-one place to go to watch a variety of entertainment videos aside from its original purpose for songs and music video platforms.
Despite its popularity, watching YouTube videos can sometimes make us lose our patience because of the number of ads showing before, during, and after a video. Additionally, there are ads that are unskippable, some of them are quite long. Lastly, YouTube has hidden its marking for the ads on where it will show up making the videos have to be watched first for a few seconds before the ‘skip ad’ button shows.
But YouTube knows about this and listens to their audience’s opinions and thoughts about it, which is why they came up with a solution. It was 2014 when an ad-free experience on YouTube was first introduced. This service was called Music Key offering only advertisement-free streaming of music videos from participating labels on YouTube and Google Play Music. And then by 2018, it was relaunched and rebranded as YouTube Premium.
However, this service is not free because for you to watch ad-free YouTube videos, you have to subscribe to the service which costs $11.99/month. But the big question many have up to this day is if YouTube Premium is worth spending for. Is the monthly subscription worth it just to avoid being interrupted by the ads when watching your favorite YouTube videos?
In this blog, we will help you decide if you should or should not avail of the YouTube Premium service. We will share some of the advantages and disadvantages to hopefully help you decide whether or not you should add an $11.99/month cost to your expenses.
The Advantages Of YouTube Premium
YouTube Watching Experience Without The Ads
In a single video on YouTube, you don’t exactly know today how many ads will show up before, during, and after a video. Years ago, you can see yellow markings on where exactly and how many ads a single video has. But it was hidden by YouTube just recently for the reason to also protect the sake of content creators who want to monetize their videos through ads.
On the other hand, with YouTube Premium, it is guaranteed that no ads will show up when watching videos making your user experience much better. It eliminates the annoying advertisement that in some instances interrupts your happiness and excitement when watching videos.
Watch Offline
With YouTube Premium, you can save videos and watch them offline. These videos can be downloaded in high-resolution quality which gives you an ample amount of user experience when watching.
Thus, your account doesn’t limit you to doing this on just one device as you can do it both on your tablet or smartphone.
YouTube Music Premium
You can access unlimited music on YouTube to listen to, including background play. On Android devices, it allows you to continue to play videos/music outside the app. You can create a playlist of your own to put the music that you want to listen to. Your YouTube Premium service is not just available on the YouTube app, but also on the YouTube Music app.
Thus, it also gives you access to the Google Play music library which can give you further and broader choices of music to listen to.
Original And Exclusive Content
YouTube is already offering unlimited music and videos that you can watch, but it offers more content through YouTube Premium. Known as YouTube Originals, you are able to access more exclusive content from high-profile YouTube creators along with shows, series, documentaries, and movies that are unavailable on the free service.
The Disadvantage Of YouTube Premium
Availability
YouTube Premium is not yet available to all countries around the world. Currently, this service is available to only over 60 countries, and not all content for each country is the same. But they are working on this one to provide the service to a wider audience.
The Price
Not everyone finds the monthly subscription of $11.99 cheap because it’s really not. Others much prefer other online streaming platforms that have more flexibility and variety of content that suits their preference such as movies and series like what Netflix, Hulu, etc. offer in a more affordable monthly subscription.
No Discount
Whether you choose for a monthly or announced subscription, the breakdown of the price remains the same which makes others raise their eyebrows if the price is really worth it. Furthermore, for a family plan so that not only you can enjoy the ad-free service when watching videos cost more for $17.99/month which is up to 5 family members.
Not Necessary
YouTube Premium service has been around for years but it didn’t change the dynamics of many people who watch videos on YouTube for free. This means that if you really don’t have extra bucks to spend for an additional monthly subscription, the premium service is not something you push having. Remember that there are still unlimited videos available to watch through the free platform of YouTube.
Should You Or Should You Not Avail?
If you want a specific answer on whether to avail or not of the subscription for YouTube Premium, the truth is, it is debatable. The final decision is still yours to make. If you have the capability to add on your monthly expenses and don’t want to be annoyed with ads while watching videos, then YouTube Premium is for you.
However, if your sole reason for availing of `YouTube Premium is just because you don’t want ads, then maybe you should think twice. An $11.99 per month extra to your monthly expenses may sound a little for now but you’ll eventually realize how every cent matters in the long run. Plus, you should check first if this kind of service is really something you will use on a regular basis.
YouTube Premium is offered on a trial period for a month if you haven’t done so. If you want, you can get this chance to see and experience for yourself if this monthly service is worth your penny.
