Google introduces YouTube Premium Lite in the US offering ad-free experience on most videos

YouTube Premium Lite: A Streamlined Experience for US Subscribers

Google has introduced an exciting new tier for YouTube Premium subscribers in the United States: YouTube Premium Lite. This offering aims to provide a more budget-friendly option for viewers who wish to enjoy a largely ad-free experience while watching videos on YouTube. Priced at $7.99 per month, YouTube Premium Lite is positioned as a more economical alternative to the traditional Premium plan.

Cost Savings and Key Differences

At $6 less than the standard YouTube Premium subscription, the Lite version offers a tempting choice for many. However, this affordability comes with the trade-off of missing several notable features. Notably, users will not have the ability to download videos for offline viewing or access playback in the background. Additionally, this tier does not include YouTube Music, which could be a deciding factor for potential subscribers.

A Partial Ad-Free Experience

The primary selling point of YouTube Premium Lite is the promise of an ad-free viewing experience, albeit not entirely ad-free. Unlike the full YouTube Premium, which eliminates ads completely, the Lite version only removes them from select video categories. According to Google, ads will still appear on various types of content such as gaming, beauty, news, and podcasts, meaning users may encounter interruptions despite subscribing.

We’ve been testing Premium Lite to make sure we have the right balance of features and benefits for those viewers who want to watch most videos ad-free – whether it’s gaming, comedy, cooking, or learning. For users who want ad-free music on YouTube and YouTube Music, plus offline and background play, we recommend the Premium plan.

Availability and Global Expansion

YouTube Premium Lite is officially available to customers in the United States. Moreover, it is also being piloted in other countries, including Thailand, Germany, and Australia, where users can expect full access within the next few weeks.

Growing Subscription Base

Alongside this launch, Google revealed that YouTube Music and Premium collectively boast over 125 million subscribers, including trial users. This significant milestone underscores the platform’s expanding influence in the streaming market.

For further information, you can refer to the official announcement here.