I have been hesitant to pay for YouTube Premium for a long time, opting instead to use ad blockers on PC and third-party apps on other platforms. My aversion to subscriptions in general, particularly when they are primarily for ad removal, played a significant role in my decision.
I recall the early days of YouTube before ads were prevalent, and even when they were just small pop-ups at the bottom of videos. However, the overwhelming number of pre-roll and mid-roll ads nowadays made the platform frustrating to use. Despite my resistance, I eventually gave in and purchased YouTube Premium a few months ago.
The main reason for my change of heart was when I realized that the family plan pricing was only slightly higher than what I was already paying for a YouTube Music subscription. In South Africa, the YouTube Music family plan costs R90 ($5) a month, while the Premium family plan costs R110 ($6). The additional benefits of YouTube Premium, such as stable volume, background playback, and early access to new features, also played a role in my decision.
While some perks of YouTube Premium, like better video quality and party watching in Meet, should arguably be available for free, there are also advantages for creators. They receive a share of a Premium subscriber’s monthly fee, potentially earning more than from ad revenue alone. This aspect is particularly appealing for viewers who want to support their favorite creators.
Overall, while I begrudgingly pay for YouTube Premium now, I am not ready to give up my ad blockers or third-party apps that helped me in the past. The convenience and additional features of these tools are still valuable to me. Additionally, the pricing discrepancy between YouTube Music and YouTube Premium in my region makes the decision to upgrade a no-brainer. However, I remain cautious about potential price hikes in the future and am prepared to cancel my subscription if necessary.