YouTube Premium users across the globe are facing significant price hikes as Google increases subscription costs in over a dozen countries. This follows earlier price jumps in various regions, including the United States last summer. The latest increases vary by region, with some countries experiencing hikes between 30% to 50%. For instance, in Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Italy, the Family plan will rise from €18 to €26 starting November, while the individual plan will increase by €2 to €14.

Countries affected by these changes include Ireland, Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, UAE, Switzerland, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Colombia, Thailand, Singapore, Norway, Sweden, Czech Republic, and Denmark. Although most Reddit reports are from European users, the price hikes also impact the Middle East, Colombia, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia. YouTube had already raised its subscription prices in India by 15–20% in late August.

    • figaro@lemdro.id
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      3 months ago

      YouTube is the only streaming platform I pay for. I don’t want to bother with 3rd party apps, and I use it every day. Plus I get YouTube music out of it, so I don’t need to pay for Spotify. Overall 7/10 it’s fine.

      No judgements toward people who don’t want to pay though, I get it.

      • localhost443@discuss.tchncs.de
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        3 months ago

        I bailed because the YTM algorithm is terrible compared to when it was Google music. It had got progressively worse and I really realised how bad it was when I subbed to Deezer for a trial. If they hadn’t trashed Google music by integrating it into YouTube I’d still be paying for premium if it came with both. Can’t imagine I’ll ever pay for it again now.

        • slumberlust@lemmy.world
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          3 months ago

          You may be remembering through rose tinted glasses here. YTM has it’s issue but so did GPM…neither I would describe as good products.

      • NewAgeOldPerson@lemmy.world
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        3 months ago

        Pretty much same. I do get a “free” premium account with Google Fi. But since I’m paying for family already, that just sits there. But still, 5 bucks per family member per month for music and YouTube ad free, I can’t argue. It works for me.

        I would reconsider things if price went up 50% though. Nothing is irreplaceable.

    • TORFdot0@lemmy.world
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      3 months ago

      If you have kids that watch on devices that can’t easily block ads like TVs or game consoles, it’s worth every penny.

      YouTube ads are full of scams and smut and all sorts of other things I don’t want my kids exposed too

      • Fugtig Fisk@feddit.dk
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        3 months ago

        I understand. It’s just that even the videos themselves have ads and are loaded with product placement and paid content, not to mention the low quality of most videos. I am just surprised that people actually do pay for it, instead of finding something else to do.

    • Michal@programming.dev
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      3 months ago

      It’s unusable without ads, so if you watch a lot of YouTube it’s worth to pay.

      • Fugtig Fisk@feddit.dk
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        3 months ago

        I know, it is the reason why I don’t watch YouTube. I am just surprised that their tactic of gradually increasing the amount and duration of ads, worked!

    • desconectado@lemm.ee
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      3 months ago

      I use it mostly for YouTube music (which costs almost the same as Spotify), no ads on YouTube is a nice bonus.