YouTube Premium subscriber numbers are skyrocketing. | Image by YouTube
In certain online circles, like tech-focused communities on Reddit, it might seem like most people are finding ways around ads on YouTube without getting a Premium subscription. In reality, that could not be farther from the truth, at least if YouTube’s recent earnings call is to be believed.
YouTube Premium users skyrocketing
According to Google, the number of people who are now paying for YouTube Premium continues to increase at extreme rates. Google CEO Sundar Pichai says that this year saw the largest quarterly increase since YouTube Premium was launched in 2018.
There are a few different reasons for why this is the case despite the online outcry against ads on the platform and the Premium subscription itself.
Strict curbs against workarounds
YouTube has upped its efforts against users trying to skirt around ads as of late. Ad blocker extension bans, decreased service quality on browsers with said ad blocker extensions, even longer ads before and during videos, and competitive pricing in developing regions.
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Have you given in and bought a YouTube Premium subscription?
Some users have, of course, taken it as a personal duty to never pay for Premium and to keep finding workarounds. Others have quit YouTube altogether. These two subsets are in the minority, however.
A new milestone for YouTube
YouTube Premium has come a very long way since the days it was called YouTube Red. | Image by PhoneArena
Apparently, the revenue that YouTube makes off of Premium subscribers has now surpassed the revenue generated from ads. That is an insane milestone that will only bolster the company’s decision to encourage more users to switch to Premium.
Clearly, the number of online users who are vehemently opposed to YouTube Premium pales in comparison to the number of users content with paying for it.
I have a Premium subscription too
Don’t hate me for it, but I pay for YouTube Premium too. I watch a lot of YouTube every day, and I mean a lot of YouTube.
The cost for a Premium subscription is also, for me personally, very justifiable. All of the bonuses that come with it are nice extras too.
But, most importantly, the ads really have become unbearable on YouTube. There was a time when I used to find workarounds as well (ah, the versatility of Android) but it became more of a hassle than a viable alternative at one point.
For someone who watches as much YouTube as me, I honestly think that Premium is worth it if you can justify paying for it each month.
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Abdullah loves smartphones, Virtual Reality, and audio gear. Though he covers a wide range of news his favorite is always when he gets to talk about the newest VR venture or when Apple sets the industry ablaze with another phenomenal release.
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