🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 195 (from laksa055)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa195.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.howtogeek.com/659597/what-is-youtube-premium-and-is-it-worth-it/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.howtogeek.com/659597/what-is-youtube-premium-and-is-it-worth-it/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/659597\/what-is-youtube-premium-and-is-it-worth-it\/","crawl_time":1770143023,"first_indexed_time":1583755948,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,howtogeek!www,\/659597\/what-is-youtube-premium-and-is-it-worth-it\/ s443","src_root_hash":"5883057217006082795","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"What Is YouTube Premium, and Is It Worth It?","meta_descriptions":["Thinking about subscribing to YouTube Premium? We'll help you decide if it's worth your hard-earned cash!"],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Updated \nAug 16, 2024, 11:30 AM EDT\nYouTube Premium is a monthly subscription service that promises to improve your viewing experience on the internet's largest video platform. Here's what you get for your money, so you can decide whether it's worth it.\nWhat Is YouTube Premium?\nYouTube Premium is the site's paid subscription service. It offers ad-free viewing of all videos, downloads for offline playback, background playback while other apps are open, and exclusive, paywalled content primarily made by famous YouTube personalities.\nIt currently costs $13.99 a month for U.S. subscribers, which includes a YouTube Music Premium subscription. Additionally, a family plan for up to five family members is available for $22.99 a month.\nThe YouTube Ecosystem\nCredit: Corbin Davenport \/ YouTube\nGoogle's naming schemes\nhave always been a bit of a mess, and the same is true of YouTube. You might be familiar with a service called YouTube Red. Before 2018, that was the site's subscription tier. However, this changed to YouTube Premium following the rebranding of YouTube Music as an entirely separate app.\nSince there are so many brands and services now under the YouTube banner, here's a handy guide to help you tell them apart:\nYouTube Premium:\nThe site's primary paid subscription service.\nYouTube Music:\nA separate music streaming service with its own app that allows you to listen to music for free. It's Google's competitor to Spotify and Apple Music.\nYouTube Music Premium:\nThe subscription ($10.99) version of YouTube Music. Unlike the free version, it allows\nbackground play\n, offline downloads, and\nhigher bitrate audio\nin the Music app. You get this included as part of your YouTube Premium subscription.\nYouTube TV\n:\nA live TV streaming service similar to Hulu that allows you to watch live TV and record cloud-based DVR.\nYouTube Kids\n:\nAn app designed primarily for kids, that contains only age-appropriate content. The features of YouTube Premium also apply to this.\nYouTube Shorts\n:\nA section of YouTube dedicated to short-form content that competes with TikTok and Reels.\nThe Benefits of Premium\nIf you're thinking of subscribing to YouTube Premium, it does have a host of features to consider. Here's a list of the service's current benefits:\nAd-free viewing:\nYou can view everything on the site without any ads. You also get ad-free viewing on any platform you sign in to with your Google account, including YouTube on the web, smartphones, Roku, or any other streaming devices.\nYouTube originals\n:\nAccess to original content, primarily from high-profile creators, along with some TV shows, documentaries, and movies.\nHigher quality video:\nEnhanced bitrate version of 1080p Premium video quality, which makes it easier to see highly detailed and fast-paced videos more clearly.\nBackground play:\nIf you're on mobile, the audio from the video you're viewing will continue to play even if you're outside the app or your phone display is turned off. On Android, you can also view videos picture-in-picture while you use other apps on your phone.\nDownload videos:\nYou can\ndownload videos\nor playlists to watch offline on your smartphone or tablet.\nYouTube Music Premium:\nYou also get access to Google's music service and all its features.\nOther benefits include being able to modify playback controls, continue watching where you left off on all videos, or queuing a video playlist on mobile devices. Google might add additional features to Premium in the future, so stay tuned!\nContributing to Creators\nCredit: Lucas Gouveia \/ Justin Duino \/ How-To Geek\nOne of the least talked about aspects of YouTube Premium is revenue sharing.\nIf you already block ads on YouTube with an\nad blocker\n, the Premium service might sound pretty useless. However, ad blockers prevent creators on the platform from receiving revenue from your views. For many, the ad revenue is one of their primary sources of income.\nPremium offers viewers an ad-free experience that not only\nsaves them time\nbut also helps them support their favorite content creators.\nTo compute this, YouTube combines a portion of all the revenue it gets from the service. It then distributes that amount to creators based on the total view time they received from Premium subscribers. So, the channels you watch most get a bigger share of the pie.\nDue to YouTube's strict monetization rules, many videos get demonetized. However, a creator can still make revenue from Premium subscribers, even if the video is ineligible for ads. Here's how to\nget started making your own YouTube videos\n, and maybe one day, you'll get a portion of that revenue.\nIs Premium Worth It?\nIt depends on how often you use the service, or how much you dislike ads. If you frequently use the mobile app, background play and offline downloading are fantastic features to have. With so many YouTube channels now hosting long-form content, the option to listen to lengthy videos when you're not in the app is handy. It's great for listening while you drive or cook dinner.\nIf you most often watch YouTube from your desktop, the utility is definitely in the ad-blocking. Video ad revenues have been falling lately, which has led creators to put even more ads in their content. If you want to watch videos uninterrupted while still supporting those who make them, Premium is the only way to do so.\nThose who already subscribe to YouTube Music might as well\nupgrade to YouTube Premium\nfor a few extra dollars a month and reap all these benefits.\nOne thing to consider, though, is the Originals library is relatively small, and Google shut down production in 2022. If you're not interested in watching Premium content from creators, you'll probably find the selection pretty lackluster. That said, everything else offered by YouTube Premium is rather enticing.","attrs_markdown":"Menu\n\n[![How-To Geek logo](https:\/\/static0.howtogeekimages.com\/assets\/images\/htg-logo-full-colored-light.svg?v=3.6)](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/)\n\nSign in now\n\nClose\n\n- - [PC Hardware](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/pc-hardware\/)\n    Submenu\n    - [Networking](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/networking\/)\n    - [Storage and NAS](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/storage-and-nas\/)\n    - [Components](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/components\/)\n    - [Peripherals](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/peripherals\/)\n  - [Operating Systems](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/operating-systems\/)\n    Submenu\n    - [Linux](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/category\/linux\/)\n    - [Windows](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/category\/windows\/)\n  - [Software](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/software\/)\n    Submenu\n    - [Applications](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/applications\/)\n  - [Mobile](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/category\/mobile\/)\n    Submenu\n    - 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Here's what you get for your money, so you can decide whether it's worth it.\n\n## What Is YouTube Premium?\nYouTube Premium is the site's paid subscription service. It offers ad-free viewing of all videos, downloads for offline playback, background playback while other apps are open, and exclusive, paywalled content primarily made by famous YouTube personalities.\n\nIt currently costs \\$13.99 a month for U.S. subscribers, which includes a YouTube Music Premium subscription. Additionally, a family plan for up to five family members is available for \\$22.99 a month.\n\n## The YouTube Ecosystem\n![Logo of YouTube Music.](https:\/\/static0.howtogeekimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/youtubemusic.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2)\n\nCredit: Corbin Davenport \/ YouTube\n\n[Google's naming schemes](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/352746\/whats-really-going-on-with-youtube-music-red-vs-premium-vs-music-premium\/) have always been a bit of a mess, and the same is true of YouTube. You might be familiar with a service called YouTube Red. Before 2018, that was the site's subscription tier. However, this changed to YouTube Premium following the rebranding of YouTube Music as an entirely separate app.\n\nSince there are so many brands and services now under the YouTube banner, here's a handy guide to help you tell them apart:\n\n- **YouTube Premium:** The site's primary paid subscription service.\n- **YouTube Music:** A separate music streaming service with its own app that allows you to listen to music for free. It's Google's competitor to Spotify and Apple Music.\n- **YouTube Music Premium:** The subscription (\\$10.99) version of YouTube Music. Unlike the free version, it allows [background play](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/857115\/how-to-listen-to-youtube-with-phone-screen-off\/), offline downloads, and [higher bitrate audio](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/loving-youtube-music-after-changing-quality-recommendations\/) in the Music app. You get this included as part of your YouTube Premium subscription.\n- **[YouTube TV](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/322321\/what-is-youtube-tv-and-can-it-replace-your-cable-subscription\/):** A live TV streaming service similar to Hulu that allows you to watch live TV and record cloud-based DVR.\n- **[YouTube Kids](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/545240\/why-youtube-videos-made-for-kids-have-restricted-features\/):** An app designed primarily for kids, that contains only age-appropriate content. The features of YouTube Premium also apply to this.\n- **[YouTube Shorts](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/720355\/what-is-youtube-shorts-and-is-it-a-true-tiktok-competitor\/):** A section of YouTube dedicated to short-form content that competes with TikTok and Reels.\n## The Benefits of Premium\nIf you're thinking of subscribing to YouTube Premium, it does have a host of features to consider. Here's a list of the service's current benefits:\n\n- **Ad-free viewing:** You can view everything on the site without any ads. You also get ad-free viewing on any platform you sign in to with your Google account, including YouTube on the web, smartphones, Roku, or any other streaming devices.\n- **YouTube originals****:** Access to original content, primarily from high-profile creators, along with some TV shows, documentaries, and movies.\n- **Higher quality video:** Enhanced bitrate version of 1080p Premium video quality, which makes it easier to see highly detailed and fast-paced videos more clearly.\n- **Background play:** If you're on mobile, the audio from the video you're viewing will continue to play even if you're outside the app or your phone display is turned off. On Android, you can also view videos picture-in-picture while you use other apps on your phone.\n- **Download videos:** You can [download videos](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/334580\/how-to-get-the-simple-lightweight-youtube-go-app-in-any-country\/) or playlists to watch offline on your smartphone or tablet.\n- **YouTube Music Premium:** You also get access to Google's music service and all its features.\n\nOther benefits include being able to modify playback controls, continue watching where you left off on all videos, or queuing a video playlist on mobile devices. Google might add additional features to Premium in the future, so stay tuned\\!\n\n## Contributing to Creators\n![A hand holding a phone with YouTube logo coming out of the screen and several YouTube logos in the background.](https:\/\/static0.howtogeekimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/a-hand-holding-a-phone-with-youtube-logo-coming-out-of-the-screen-and-several-youtube-logos-in-the-background.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2)\n\nCredit: Lucas Gouveia \/ Justin Duino \/ How-To Geek\n\nOne of the least talked about aspects of YouTube Premium is revenue sharing.\n\nIf you already block ads on YouTube with an [ad blocker](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/344726\/how-to-set-adblock-to-only-block-ads-on-specific-sites\/), the Premium service might sound pretty useless. However, ad blockers prevent creators on the platform from receiving revenue from your views. For many, the ad revenue is one of their primary sources of income.\n\nPremium offers viewers an ad-free experience that not only [saves them time](http:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/865378\/how-much-time-does-youtube-premium-save-you\/) but also helps them support their favorite content creators.\n\nTo compute this, YouTube combines a portion of all the revenue it gets from the service. It then distributes that amount to creators based on the total view time they received from Premium subscribers. So, the channels you watch most get a bigger share of the pie.\n\nDue to YouTube's strict monetization rules, many videos get demonetized. However, a creator can still make revenue from Premium subscribers, even if the video is ineligible for ads. Here's how to [get started making your own YouTube videos](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/365504\/how-to-get-started-making-youtube-videos\/), and maybe one day, you'll get a portion of that revenue.\n\n## Is Premium Worth It?\nIt depends on how often you use the service, or how much you dislike ads. If you frequently use the mobile app, background play and offline downloading are fantastic features to have. With so many YouTube channels now hosting long-form content, the option to listen to lengthy videos when you're not in the app is handy. It's great for listening while you drive or cook dinner.\n\n### How-To Geek Report: Subscribe and never miss what matters\nUnlock your tech-savvy potential and master the digital world with How-To Geek.\n***\nSubscribe\n\nBy subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our [Terms of Use](https:\/\/www.valnetinc.com\/en\/terms-of-use) and [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/www.valnetinc.com\/en\/privacy-policy). You can unsubscribe anytime.\n\nIf you most often watch YouTube from your desktop, the utility is definitely in the ad-blocking. Video ad revenues have been falling lately, which has led creators to put even more ads in their content. If you want to watch videos uninterrupted while still supporting those who make them, Premium is the only way to do so.\n\nThose who already subscribe to YouTube Music might as well [upgrade to YouTube Premium](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/dont-get-youtube-music-get-youtube-premium\/) for a few extra dollars a month and reap all these benefits.\n\nOne thing to consider, though, is the Originals library is relatively small, and Google shut down production in 2022. If you're not interested in watching Premium content from creators, you'll probably find the selection pretty lackluster. That said, everything else offered by YouTube Premium is rather enticing.\n\n- [Streaming](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/category\/streaming\/ \"Streaming\")\n- [YouTube](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/tag\/youtube\/ \"YouTube\")\n- [Features](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/tag\/features\/ \"Features\")\n\nFollow\n\nFollowed\n\nLike\n\nShare\n\n[Facebook](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2F659597%2Fwhat-is-youtube-premium-and-is-it-worth-it%2F%2F&src=sdkpreparse)   [X](https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=What%20Is%20YouTube%20Premium%2C%20and%20Is%20It%20Worth%20It%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2F659597%2Fwhat-is-youtube-premium-and-is-it-worth-it%2F)   [WhatsApp](https:\/\/web.whatsapp.com\/send?text=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2F659597%2Fwhat-is-youtube-premium-and-is-it-worth-it%2F)   [Threads](https:\/\/www.threads.net\/intent\/post?text=What%20Is%20YouTube%20Premium%2C%20and%20Is%20It%20Worth%20It%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2F659597%2Fwhat-is-youtube-premium-and-is-it-worth-it%2F)   [Bluesky](https:\/\/bsky.app\/intent\/compose?text=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2F659597%2Fwhat-is-youtube-premium-and-is-it-worth-it%2F)   [LinkedIn](https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2F659597%2Fwhat-is-youtube-premium-and-is-it-worth-it%2F&title=What%20Is%20YouTube%20Premium%2C%20and%20Is%20It%20Worth%20It%3F&source=www.howtogeek.com&summary=Thinking%20about%20subscribing%20to%20YouTube%20Premium%3F%20We%27ll%20help%20you%20decide%20if%20it%27s%20worth%20your%20hard-earned%20cash%21)   [Reddit](https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2F659597%2Fwhat-is-youtube-premium-and-is-it-worth-it%2F)   [Flipboard](http:\/\/share.flipboard.com\/bookmarklet\/popout?v=2&title=What%20Is%20YouTube%20Premium%2C%20and%20Is%20It%20Worth%20It%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2F659597%2Fwhat-is-youtube-premium-and-is-it-worth-it%2F&utm_campaign=tools&utm_medium=article-share&utm_source=www.howtogeek.com)   [Copy link]()   [Email](<mailto:?Subject=What Is YouTube Premium, and Is It Worth It?&Body=Check%20this%20out%21%0Ahttps:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/659597\/what-is-youtube-premium-and-is-it-worth-it\/>)\n\nReaders like you help support How-To Geek. 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[Read More](https:\/\/www.valnetinc.com\/en\/terms-of-use).\n\nClose\n\n- ### Desktop\n- ### Mobile\n\n[![Tux, the Linux mascot, wearing sunglasses and working on a laptop surrounded by floating terminal windows and 3D command symbols.-1](https:\/\/static0.howtogeekimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/tux-the-linux-mascot-wearing-sunglasses-and-working-on-a-laptop-surrounded-by-floating-terminal-windows-and-3d-command-symbols-1.png?q=49&fit=crop&w=120&h=80&dpr=2)](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/this-linux-gui-app-makes-grep-easy-even-if-you-forget-the-flags\/)\n\n##### [This Rust-powered tool makes Linux search effortless](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/this-linux-gui-app-makes-grep-easy-even-if-you-forget-the-flags\/ \"This Rust-powered tool makes Linux search effortless\")\n2 hours ago\n\n[![Linux mascot wearing glasses and suspenders, using a laptop beneath pixelated 'GEEK' text.](https:\/\/static0.howtogeekimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/linux-mascot-geek.png?q=49&fit=crop&w=120&h=80&dpr=2)](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/this-is-the-oldest-linux-distro-still-standing-and-im-shocked-people-still-use-it\/)\n\n##### [I tried the oldest Linux distro still standing, and it was a total reality check](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/this-is-the-oldest-linux-distro-still-standing-and-im-shocked-people-still-use-it\/ \"I tried the oldest Linux distro still standing, and it was a total reality check\")\n2 hours ago\n\n[![Linux mascot behind three text editors with a pencil in front.](https:\/\/static0.howtogeekimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/linux-mascot-behind-three-text-editors-with-a-pencil-in-front.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=120&h=80&dpr=2)](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/vim-buffers-finally-made-multi-file-editing-click-for-me\/)\n\n##### [I finally figured out Vim's \"hidden\" file system, and it changed everything](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/vim-buffers-finally-made-multi-file-editing-click-for-me\/ \"I finally figured out Vim's \\\"hidden\\\" file system, and it changed everything\")\n5 hours ago\n\n[See More](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/category\/desktop\/)\n\n[![Android logo with a gear cutout in its head, surrounded by technical terms like Bootloader, Kernel, Root, and APK on a blue background.](https:\/\/static0.howtogeekimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/android-logo-with-a-gear-cutout-in-its-head-surrounded-by-technical-terms-like-bootloader-kernel-root-and-apk-on-a-blue-background.png?q=49&fit=crop&w=120&h=80&dpr=2)](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/android-terms-you-should-know\/)\n\n##### [What’s a bootloader? And 10 other Android terms you should know](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/android-terms-you-should-know\/ \"What’s a bootloader? And 10 other Android terms you should know\")\n1 hour ago\n\n[![A man leaning on a giant clock looking at his smartphone, surrounded by red warning icons and a torn paper sign labeled 'WASTE'.](https:\/\/static0.howtogeekimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/wm\/2026\/01\/a-man-leaning-on-a-giant-clock-looking-at-his-smartphone-surrounded-by-red-warning-icons-and-a-torn-paper-sign-labeled-waste.png?q=49&fit=crop&w=120&h=80&dpr=2)](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/smartphone-habits-that-waste-time\/)\n\n##### [7 smartphone habits that waste time every day (and what to do instead)](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/smartphone-habits-that-waste-time\/ \"7 smartphone habits that waste time every day (and what to do instead)\")\n4 hours ago\n\n[![Blue 3D text spelling 'MVNO', with some SIM cards beside it](https:\/\/static0.howtogeekimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/blue-3d-text-spelling-mvno-with-some-sim-cards-beside-it.png?q=49&fit=crop&w=120&h=80&dpr=2)](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/things-i-wish-someone-had-told-me-before-i-switched-to-an-mvno\/)\n\n##### [4 things I wish someone had told me before I switched to an MVNO](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/things-i-wish-someone-had-told-me-before-i-switched-to-an-mvno\/ \"4 things I wish someone had told me before I switched to an MVNO\")\n1 day ago\n\n[See More](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/category\/mobile\/)\n\nTrending Now\n\n[![Firefox logo at the center with fire surrounding the image.](https:\/\/static0.howtogeekimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/firefox-logo-at-the-center-with-fire-surrounding-the-image.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=100&h=67&dpr=2)](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/firefox-is-finally-getting-the-ai-kill-switch\/)\n\n##### [Firefox is finally getting the AI kill switch](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/firefox-is-finally-getting-the-ai-kill-switch\/ \"Firefox is finally getting the AI kill switch\")\n\n[![A hand inserts an SSD into a laptop.](https:\/\/static0.howtogeekimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/shutterstock_2590572351.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=100&h=67&dpr=2)](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/this-is-how-i-stressed-my-new-ssd-to-make-sure-it-wont-cook-itself\/)\n\n##### [I cooked my last SSD: Here is the stress test I use to save the new one](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/this-is-how-i-stressed-my-new-ssd-to-make-sure-it-wont-cook-itself\/ \"I cooked my last SSD: Here is the stress test I use to save the new one\")\n\n[![A person holding a Western Digital WD Red Plus 4TB NAS HDD.](https:\/\/static0.howtogeekimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/wm\/2026\/01\/a7303841.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=100&h=67&dpr=2)](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/heres-how-to-properly-wipe-a-drive-before-selling-it\/)\n\n##### [Stop trusting 'Quick Format': Why your wiped drive is still full of data](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/heres-how-to-properly-wipe-a-drive-before-selling-it\/ \"Stop trusting 'Quick Format': Why your wiped drive is still full of data\")\n\nThread 6\n\n[Sign in to your How-To Geek account]()\n\nWe want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.\n\nReply \/ Post\n\nAttachment(s)\n\nPlease respect our [community guidelines](https:\/\/www.valnetinc.com\/en\/terms-of-use#community-guidelines). No links, inappropriate language, or spam.\n\nYour comment has not been saved\n\n[Send confirmation email]()\n\nSort by:\n\n- Bendy  [![User Display Picture](https:\/\/static0.howtogeekimages.com\/wordpress\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/profilepics\/circle-user-solid-5.png)](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/profile\/PR661410\/)\n  \n  [Bendy](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/profile\/PR661410\/ \"Posted by Bendy\")\n  \n  [![User Display Picture](https:\/\/static0.howtogeekimages.com\/wordpress\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/profilepics\/circle-user-solid-5.png)](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/profile\/PR661410\/)\n  \n  [Bendy](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/profile\/PR661410\/)\n  \n  \\#PR661410\n  \n  Member since 2023-10-28\n  \n  Following\n  \n  0\n  \n  Topics\n  \n  0\n  \n  Users\n  \n  Follow\n  \n  Followed\n  \n  0 Followers\n  \n  [View](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/profile\/PR661410\/)\n  just use a adblocker\n  2025-06-15 11:55:54\n  Upvote\n  \n  1\n  \n  Downvote\n  \n  Reply\n  \n  Copy\n- Joseph  [![User Display Picture](https:\/\/static1.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/profilepics\/circle-user-solid-1.png)](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/profile\/LM387456\/)\n  \n  [Joseph](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/profile\/LM387456\/ \"Posted by Joseph\")\n  \n  [![User Display Picture](https:\/\/static1.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/profilepics\/circle-user-solid-1.png)](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/profile\/LM387456\/)\n  \n  [Joseph](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/profile\/LM387456\/)\n  \n  \\#LM387456\n  \n  Member since 2023-12-23\n  \n  Following\n  \n  1\n  \n  Topics\n  \n  0\n  \n  Users\n  \n  Follow\n  \n  Followed\n  \n  0 Followers\n  \n  [View](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/profile\/LM387456\/)\n  YouTube Premium is just easier and cleaner within the Google ecosystem - like it or not. Not being a music service aficionado, I find YouTube Music fully meets my needs, although I realize Spotify is more sophisticated. I still use Spotify Free for podcasts, though. Yearly subscription is the money-saving approach.\n  2024-08-16 17:29:43\n  Upvote\n  \n  1\n  \n  Downvote\n  \n  Reply\n  \n  Copy\n- Bendy  [![User Display Picture](https:\/\/static0.howtogeekimages.com\/wordpress\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/profilepics\/circle-user-solid-5.png)](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/profile\/PR661410\/)\n  \n  [Bendy](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/profile\/PR661410\/ \"Posted by Bendy\")\n  \n  [![User Display Picture](https:\/\/static0.howtogeekimages.com\/wordpress\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/profilepics\/circle-user-solid-5.png)](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/profile\/PR661410\/)\n  \n  [Bendy](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/profile\/PR661410\/)\n  \n  \\#PR661410\n  \n  Member since 2023-10-28\n  \n  Following\n  \n  0\n  \n  Topics\n  \n  0\n  \n  Users\n  \n  Follow\n  \n  Followed\n  \n  0 Followers\n  \n  [View](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/profile\/PR661410\/)\n  i dont care about supporting content creators just use a adblocker its free\n  2025-06-15 11:55:26\n  Upvote\n  \n  1\n  \n  Downvote\n  \n  Reply\n  \n  Copy\n- Bendy  [![User Display Picture](https:\/\/static0.howtogeekimages.com\/wordpress\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/profilepics\/circle-user-solid-5.png)](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/profile\/PR661410\/)\n  \n  [Bendy](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/profile\/PR661410\/ \"Posted by Bendy\")\n  \n  [![User Display Picture](https:\/\/static0.howtogeekimages.com\/wordpress\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/profilepics\/circle-user-solid-5.png)](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/profile\/PR661410\/)\n  \n  [Bendy](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/profile\/PR661410\/)\n  \n  \\#PR661410\n  \n  Member since 2023-10-28\n  \n  Following\n  \n  0\n  \n  Topics\n  \n  0\n  \n  Users\n  \n  Follow\n  \n  Followed\n  \n  0 Followers\n  \n  [View](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/profile\/PR661410\/)\n  i dont care about the whole supporting content creators thing just use a adblocker its free\n  2025-06-15 11:54:33\n  Upvote\n  \n  Downvote\n  \n  Reply\n  \n  Copy\n- DP  [![User Display Picture](https:\/\/static1.howtogeekimages.com\/wordpress\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/profilepics\/circle-user-solid-1.png)](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/profile\/OD211672\/)\n  \n  [DP](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/profile\/OD211672\/ \"Posted by DP\")\n  \n  [![User Display Picture](https:\/\/static1.howtogeekimages.com\/wordpress\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/profilepics\/circle-user-solid-1.png)](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/profile\/OD211672\/)\n  \n  [DP](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/profile\/OD211672\/)\n  \n  \\#OD211672\n  \n  Member since 2024-06-14\n  \n  Following\n  \n  0\n  \n  Topics\n  \n  0\n  \n  Users\n  \n  Follow\n  \n  Followed\n  \n  0 Followers\n  \n  [View](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/profile\/OD211672\/)\n  If I understand correctly, even Premium can't block ads embedded by the maker. So, even with ad blocking, the maker is still being compensated. To me, Premium is like watching regular cable tv, commercials and all, but it just blocks extra ads, external to the show, forced on users. IOW, that just eliminate an irritant ***they*** added.\n  2024-08-16 19:31:10\n  Upvote\n  \n  Downvote\n  \n  Reply\n  \n  1\n  \n  Copy\n- Tim  [![User Display Picture](https:\/\/static1.howtogeekimages.com\/wordpress\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/profilepics\/circle-user-solid-1.png)](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/profile\/ZQ143041\/)\n  \n  [Tim](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/profile\/ZQ143041\/ \"Posted by Tim\")\n  \n  [![User Display Picture](https:\/\/static1.howtogeekimages.com\/wordpress\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/profilepics\/circle-user-solid-1.png)](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/profile\/ZQ143041\/)\n  \n  [Tim](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/profile\/ZQ143041\/)\n  \n  \\#ZQ143041\n  \n  Member since 2024-10-31\n  \n  Following\n  \n  0\n  \n  Topics\n  \n  0\n  \n  Users\n  \n  Follow\n  \n  Followed\n  \n  0 Followers\n  \n  [View](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/profile\/ZQ143041\/)\n  Ads embedded in the video can be skipped and that doesn't affect the creator getting paid for that ad.\n  2024-10-31 13:07:49\n  Upvote\n  \n  Downvote\n  \n  Reply\n  \n  Copy\n\n- [Terms](https:\/\/www.valnetinc.com\/en\/terms-of-use)\n- [Privacy](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/page\/our-privacy-policy\/)\n- [Feedback](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/contact)\n\nRecommended\n\n[![Tux, the Linux mascot, using a laptop as the Windows logo behind him fades away on a blue background.](https:\/\/static0.howtogeekimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/tux-the-linux-mascot-using-a-laptop-as-the-windows-logo-behind-him-fades-away-on-a-blue-background.png?q=49&fit=crop&w=266&h=300&dpr=2)](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/desktop-linux-matters-even-if-almost-no-one-uses-it\/)\n\nJan 27, 2026\n\n### [Why desktop Linux matters, even if (almost) no one uses it](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/desktop-linux-matters-even-if-almost-no-one-uses-it\/ \"Why desktop Linux matters, even if (almost) no one uses it\")\n\n[![3D printed Benchy.](https:\/\/static0.howtogeekimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/wm\/2024\/09\/patrick-benchy.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=266&h=300&dpr=2)](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/the-internet-keeps-telling-you-to-3d-print-these-dont\/)\n\n3 days ago\n\n### [The internet keeps telling you to 3D print these—don’t](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/the-internet-keeps-telling-you-to-3d-print-these-dont\/ \"The internet keeps telling you to 3D print these—don’t\")\n\n[![Laptop displaying Ubuntu desktop, flanked by Fedora and Linux Mint screens, with a smiling Tux penguin.](https:\/\/static0.howtogeekimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/wm\/2026\/01\/laptop-displaying-ubuntu-desktop-flanked-by-fedora-and-linux-mint-screens-with-a-smiling-tux-penguin.png?q=49&fit=crop&w=266&h=300&dpr=2)](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/best-linux-distros-for-laptops\/)\n\n2 days ago\n\n### [I’ve tested dozens of Linux distros, and these 3 are the only ones I’d put on a laptop](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/best-linux-distros-for-laptops\/ \"I’ve tested dozens of Linux distros, and these 3 are the only ones I’d put on a laptop\")\n\n[![A Windows and a Linux screen with Tux in the center.](https:\/\/static0.howtogeekimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/a-windows-and-a-linux-screen-with-tux-in-the-center.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=266&h=300&dpr=2)](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/no-linux-is-not-more-secure\/)\n\n4 days ago\n\n### [No, Linux is not \"more secure\" than Windows](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/no-linux-is-not-more-secure\/ \"No, Linux is not \\\"more secure\\\" than Windows\")\n\n[![How-To Geek logo](https:\/\/static0.howtogeekimages.com\/assets\/images\/htg-logo-symbol-white.svg?v=2.4)](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/)\n\n- [Join Our Team](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/work-with-us\/)\n- [Our Audience](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/page\/advertise\/)\n- [About Us](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/page\/about\/)\n- [Press & Events](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/page\/press-events\/)\n- [Media Coverage](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/page\/media\/)\n- [Contact Us](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/contact\/)\n\n- Follow Us\n\n[![Valnet Logo](https:\/\/static0.howtogeekimages.com\/assets\/images\/valnet-logo-icon-white.svg?v=2.4)](https:\/\/www.valnetinc.com\/en\/)\n\n- [Advertising](https:\/\/www.valnetinc.com\/en\/advertising)\n- [Careers](https:\/\/www.valnetinc.com\/en\/careers)\n- [Terms](https:\/\/www.valnetinc.com\/en\/terms-of-use)\n- [Privacy](https:\/\/www.valnetinc.com\/en\/privacy-policy)\n- [Policies](https:\/\/www.valnetinc.com\/en\/editorial-integrity)\n\n[How-To Geek](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/) is part of the [Valnet Publishing Group](https:\/\/www.valnetinc.com\/en\/)\n\nCopyright © 2026 Valnet Inc.\n\nHow-To Geek\n\nSubmit a Thread of your own on How-To Geek under {{listingPage}}.   \nWe look forward to hearing from you\\!\n\nPlease provide a title and content with your submission. A link and image are optional.","attrs_readable_markdown":"[![4](https:\/\/static0.howtogeekimages.com\/wordpress%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F10%2FDSC0063_resize.jpg?fit=crop&w=90&h=90)](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/author\/vann-vicente\/)\n\n[![4](https:\/\/static0.howtogeekimages.com\/wordpress%2Fwp-content%2Fauthors%2F6834f9ae80729-093-YaInKTGcEgQ.jpeg?fit=crop&w=90&h=90)](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/author\/cory-gunther\/)\n\nUpdated  Aug 16, 2024, 11:30 AM EDT\n\nYouTube Premium is a monthly subscription service that promises to improve your viewing experience on the internet's largest video platform. Here's what you get for your money, so you can decide whether it's worth it.\n\n## What Is YouTube Premium?\nYouTube Premium is the site's paid subscription service. It offers ad-free viewing of all videos, downloads for offline playback, background playback while other apps are open, and exclusive, paywalled content primarily made by famous YouTube personalities.\n\nIt currently costs \\$13.99 a month for U.S. subscribers, which includes a YouTube Music Premium subscription. Additionally, a family plan for up to five family members is available for \\$22.99 a month.\n\n## The YouTube Ecosystem\n![Logo of YouTube Music.](https:\/\/static0.howtogeekimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/youtubemusic.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2)\n\nCredit: Corbin Davenport \/ YouTube\n\n[Google's naming schemes](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/352746\/whats-really-going-on-with-youtube-music-red-vs-premium-vs-music-premium\/) have always been a bit of a mess, and the same is true of YouTube. You might be familiar with a service called YouTube Red. Before 2018, that was the site's subscription tier. However, this changed to YouTube Premium following the rebranding of YouTube Music as an entirely separate app.\n\nSince there are so many brands and services now under the YouTube banner, here's a handy guide to help you tell them apart:\n\n- **YouTube Premium:** The site's primary paid subscription service.\n- **YouTube Music:** A separate music streaming service with its own app that allows you to listen to music for free. It's Google's competitor to Spotify and Apple Music.\n- **YouTube Music Premium:** The subscription (\\$10.99) version of YouTube Music. Unlike the free version, it allows [background play](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/857115\/how-to-listen-to-youtube-with-phone-screen-off\/), offline downloads, and [higher bitrate audio](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/loving-youtube-music-after-changing-quality-recommendations\/) in the Music app. You get this included as part of your YouTube Premium subscription.\n- **[YouTube TV](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/322321\/what-is-youtube-tv-and-can-it-replace-your-cable-subscription\/):** A live TV streaming service similar to Hulu that allows you to watch live TV and record cloud-based DVR.\n- **[YouTube Kids](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/545240\/why-youtube-videos-made-for-kids-have-restricted-features\/):** An app designed primarily for kids, that contains only age-appropriate content. The features of YouTube Premium also apply to this.\n- **[YouTube Shorts](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/720355\/what-is-youtube-shorts-and-is-it-a-true-tiktok-competitor\/):** A section of YouTube dedicated to short-form content that competes with TikTok and Reels.\n## The Benefits of Premium\nIf you're thinking of subscribing to YouTube Premium, it does have a host of features to consider. Here's a list of the service's current benefits:\n\n- **Ad-free viewing:** You can view everything on the site without any ads. You also get ad-free viewing on any platform you sign in to with your Google account, including YouTube on the web, smartphones, Roku, or any other streaming devices.\n- **YouTube originals****:** Access to original content, primarily from high-profile creators, along with some TV shows, documentaries, and movies.\n- **Higher quality video:** Enhanced bitrate version of 1080p Premium video quality, which makes it easier to see highly detailed and fast-paced videos more clearly.\n- **Background play:** If you're on mobile, the audio from the video you're viewing will continue to play even if you're outside the app or your phone display is turned off. On Android, you can also view videos picture-in-picture while you use other apps on your phone.\n- **Download videos:** You can [download videos](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/334580\/how-to-get-the-simple-lightweight-youtube-go-app-in-any-country\/) or playlists to watch offline on your smartphone or tablet.\n- **YouTube Music Premium:** You also get access to Google's music service and all its features.\n\nOther benefits include being able to modify playback controls, continue watching where you left off on all videos, or queuing a video playlist on mobile devices. Google might add additional features to Premium in the future, so stay tuned\\!\n\n## Contributing to Creators\n![A hand holding a phone with YouTube logo coming out of the screen and several YouTube logos in the background.](https:\/\/static0.howtogeekimages.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/a-hand-holding-a-phone-with-youtube-logo-coming-out-of-the-screen-and-several-youtube-logos-in-the-background.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2)\n\nCredit: Lucas Gouveia \/ Justin Duino \/ How-To Geek\n\nOne of the least talked about aspects of YouTube Premium is revenue sharing.\n\nIf you already block ads on YouTube with an [ad blocker](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/344726\/how-to-set-adblock-to-only-block-ads-on-specific-sites\/), the Premium service might sound pretty useless. However, ad blockers prevent creators on the platform from receiving revenue from your views. For many, the ad revenue is one of their primary sources of income.\n\nPremium offers viewers an ad-free experience that not only [saves them time](http:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/865378\/how-much-time-does-youtube-premium-save-you\/) but also helps them support their favorite content creators.\n\nTo compute this, YouTube combines a portion of all the revenue it gets from the service. It then distributes that amount to creators based on the total view time they received from Premium subscribers. So, the channels you watch most get a bigger share of the pie.\n\nDue to YouTube's strict monetization rules, many videos get demonetized. However, a creator can still make revenue from Premium subscribers, even if the video is ineligible for ads. Here's how to [get started making your own YouTube videos](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/365504\/how-to-get-started-making-youtube-videos\/), and maybe one day, you'll get a portion of that revenue.\n\n## Is Premium Worth It?\nIt depends on how often you use the service, or how much you dislike ads. If you frequently use the mobile app, background play and offline downloading are fantastic features to have. With so many YouTube channels now hosting long-form content, the option to listen to lengthy videos when you're not in the app is handy. It's great for listening while you drive or cook dinner.\n\nIf you most often watch YouTube from your desktop, the utility is definitely in the ad-blocking. Video ad revenues have been falling lately, which has led creators to put even more ads in their content. If you want to watch videos uninterrupted while still supporting those who make them, Premium is the only way to do so.\n\nThose who already subscribe to YouTube Music might as well [upgrade to YouTube Premium](https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/dont-get-youtube-music-get-youtube-premium\/) for a few extra dollars a month and reap all these benefits.\n\nOne thing to consider, though, is the Originals library is relatively small, and Google shut down production in 2022. If you're not interested in watching Premium content from creators, you'll probably find the selection pretty lackluster. That said, everything else offered by YouTube Premium is rather enticing.","meta_canonical":null}

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Boilerpipe Text	Updated Aug 16, 2024, 11:30 AM EDT YouTube Premium is a monthly subscription service that promises to improve your viewing experience on the internet's largest video platform. Here's what you get for your money, so you can decide whether it's worth it. What Is YouTube Premium? YouTube Premium is the site's paid subscription service. It offers ad-free viewing of all videos, downloads for offline playback, background playback while other apps are open, and exclusive, paywalled content primarily made by famous YouTube personalities. It currently costs $13.99 a month for U.S. subscribers, which includes a YouTube Music Premium subscription. Additionally, a family plan for up to five family members is available for $22.99 a month. The YouTube Ecosystem Credit: Corbin Davenport / YouTube Google's naming schemes have always been a bit of a mess, and the same is true of YouTube. You might be familiar with a service called YouTube Red. Before 2018, that was the site's subscription tier. However, this changed to YouTube Premium following the rebranding of YouTube Music as an entirely separate app. Since there are so many brands and services now under the YouTube banner, here's a handy guide to help you tell them apart: YouTube Premium: The site's primary paid subscription service. YouTube Music: A separate music streaming service with its own app that allows you to listen to music for free. It's Google's competitor to Spotify and Apple Music. YouTube Music Premium: The subscription ($10.99) version of YouTube Music. Unlike the free version, it allows background play , offline downloads, and higher bitrate audio in the Music app. You get this included as part of your YouTube Premium subscription. YouTube TV : A live TV streaming service similar to Hulu that allows you to watch live TV and record cloud-based DVR. YouTube Kids : An app designed primarily for kids, that contains only age-appropriate content. The features of YouTube Premium also apply to this. YouTube Shorts : A section of YouTube dedicated to short-form content that competes with TikTok and Reels. The Benefits of Premium If you're thinking of subscribing to YouTube Premium, it does have a host of features to consider. Here's a list of the service's current benefits: Ad-free viewing: You can view everything on the site without any ads. You also get ad-free viewing on any platform you sign in to with your Google account, including YouTube on the web, smartphones, Roku, or any other streaming devices. YouTube originals : Access to original content, primarily from high-profile creators, along with some TV shows, documentaries, and movies. Higher quality video: Enhanced bitrate version of 1080p Premium video quality, which makes it easier to see highly detailed and fast-paced videos more clearly. Background play: If you're on mobile, the audio from the video you're viewing will continue to play even if you're outside the app or your phone display is turned off. On Android, you can also view videos picture-in-picture while you use other apps on your phone. Download videos: You can download videos or playlists to watch offline on your smartphone or tablet. YouTube Music Premium: You also get access to Google's music service and all its features. Other benefits include being able to modify playback controls, continue watching where you left off on all videos, or queuing a video playlist on mobile devices. Google might add additional features to Premium in the future, so stay tuned! Contributing to Creators Credit: Lucas Gouveia / Justin Duino / How-To Geek One of the least talked about aspects of YouTube Premium is revenue sharing. If you already block ads on YouTube with an ad blocker , the Premium service might sound pretty useless. However, ad blockers prevent creators on the platform from receiving revenue from your views. For many, the ad revenue is one of their primary sources of income. Premium offers viewers an ad-free experience that not only saves them time but also helps them support their favorite content creators. To compute this, YouTube combines a portion of all the revenue it gets from the service. It then distributes that amount to creators based on the total view time they received from Premium subscribers. So, the channels you watch most get a bigger share of the pie. Due to YouTube's strict monetization rules, many videos get demonetized. However, a creator can still make revenue from Premium subscribers, even if the video is ineligible for ads. Here's how to get started making your own YouTube videos , and maybe one day, you'll get a portion of that revenue. Is Premium Worth It? It depends on how often you use the service, or how much you dislike ads. If you frequently use the mobile app, background play and offline downloading are fantastic features to have. With so many YouTube channels now hosting long-form content, the option to listen to lengthy videos when you're not in the app is handy. It's great for listening while you drive or cook dinner. If you most often watch YouTube from your desktop, the utility is definitely in the ad-blocking. Video ad revenues have been falling lately, which has led creators to put even more ads in their content. If you want to watch videos uninterrupted while still supporting those who make them, Premium is the only way to do so. Those who already subscribe to YouTube Music might as well upgrade to YouTube Premium for a few extra dollars a month and reap all these benefits. One thing to consider, though, is the Originals library is relatively small, and Google shut down production in 2022. If you're not interested in watching Premium content from creators, you'll probably find the selection pretty lackluster. That said, everything else offered by YouTube Premium is rather enticing.
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![A hand holding a phone with Youtube Premium logo on the screen.](https://static0.howtogeekimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/a-hand-holding-a-phone-with-youtube-premium-logo-on-the-screen.jpg?&fit=crop&w=1600&h=900) Credit: Lucas Gouveia / How-To Geek \\| [DenPhotos](https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/alushta-russia-november-6-2018-man-1226709385) / Shutterstock [![4](https://static0.howtogeekimages.com/wordpress%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F10%2FDSC0063_resize.jpg?fit=crop&w=90&h=90)](https://www.howtogeek.com/author/vann-vicente/) [![4](https://static0.howtogeekimages.com/wordpress%2Fwp-content%2Fauthors%2F6834f9ae80729-093-YaInKTGcEgQ.jpeg?fit=crop&w=90&h=90)](https://www.howtogeek.com/author/cory-gunther/) By [Vann Vicente](https://www.howtogeek.com/author/vann-vicente/) & [Cory Gunther](https://www.howtogeek.com/author/cory-gunther/) Updated Aug 16, 2024, 11:30 AM EDT [Sign in to your How-To Geek account]() [Add Us On](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=howtogeek.com "Add Us On") Jump links ### Jump Links - [What Is YouTube Premium?](https://www.howtogeek.com/659597/what-is-youtube-premium-and-is-it-worth-it/#what-is-youtube-premium) - [The YouTube Ecosystem](https://www.howtogeek.com/659597/what-is-youtube-premium-and-is-it-worth-it/#the-youtube-ecosystem) - [The Benefits of Premium](https://www.howtogeek.com/659597/what-is-youtube-premium-and-is-it-worth-it/#the-benefits-of-premium) - [Contributing to Creators](https://www.howtogeek.com/659597/what-is-youtube-premium-and-is-it-worth-it/#contributing-to-creators) - [Is Premium Worth It?](https://www.howtogeek.com/659597/what-is-youtube-premium-and-is-it-worth-it/#is-premium-worth-it) follow Follow followed Followed Like Like [Thread 6](https://www.howtogeek.com/659597/what-is-youtube-premium-and-is-it-worth-it/#threads "Threads") Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap YouTube Premium is a monthly subscription service that promises to improve your viewing experience on the internet's largest video platform. Here's what you get for your money, so you can decide whether it's worth it. ## What Is YouTube Premium? YouTube Premium is the site's paid subscription service. It offers ad-free viewing of all videos, downloads for offline playback, background playback while other apps are open, and exclusive, paywalled content primarily made by famous YouTube personalities. It currently costs \$13.99 a month for U.S. subscribers, which includes a YouTube Music Premium subscription. Additionally, a family plan for up to five family members is available for \$22.99 a month. ## The YouTube Ecosystem ![Logo of YouTube Music.](https://static0.howtogeekimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/youtubemusic.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2) Credit: Corbin Davenport / YouTube [Google's naming schemes](https://www.howtogeek.com/352746/whats-really-going-on-with-youtube-music-red-vs-premium-vs-music-premium/) have always been a bit of a mess, and the same is true of YouTube. You might be familiar with a service called YouTube Red. Before 2018, that was the site's subscription tier. However, this changed to YouTube Premium following the rebranding of YouTube Music as an entirely separate app. Since there are so many brands and services now under the YouTube banner, here's a handy guide to help you tell them apart: - YouTube Premium: The site's primary paid subscription service. - YouTube Music: A separate music streaming service with its own app that allows you to listen to music for free. It's Google's competitor to Spotify and Apple Music. - YouTube Music Premium: The subscription (\$10.99) version of YouTube Music. Unlike the free version, it allows [background play](https://www.howtogeek.com/857115/how-to-listen-to-youtube-with-phone-screen-off/), offline downloads, and [higher bitrate audio](https://www.howtogeek.com/loving-youtube-music-after-changing-quality-recommendations/) in the Music app. You get this included as part of your YouTube Premium subscription. - [YouTube TV](https://www.howtogeek.com/322321/what-is-youtube-tv-and-can-it-replace-your-cable-subscription/): A live TV streaming service similar to Hulu that allows you to watch live TV and record cloud-based DVR. - [YouTube Kids](https://www.howtogeek.com/545240/why-youtube-videos-made-for-kids-have-restricted-features/): An app designed primarily for kids, that contains only age-appropriate content. The features of YouTube Premium also apply to this. - [YouTube Shorts](https://www.howtogeek.com/720355/what-is-youtube-shorts-and-is-it-a-true-tiktok-competitor/): A section of YouTube dedicated to short-form content that competes with TikTok and Reels. ## The Benefits of Premium If you're thinking of subscribing to YouTube Premium, it does have a host of features to consider. Here's a list of the service's current benefits: - Ad-free viewing: You can view everything on the site without any ads. You also get ad-free viewing on any platform you sign in to with your Google account, including YouTube on the web, smartphones, Roku, or any other streaming devices. - YouTube originals: Access to original content, primarily from high-profile creators, along with some TV shows, documentaries, and movies. - Higher quality video: Enhanced bitrate version of 1080p Premium video quality, which makes it easier to see highly detailed and fast-paced videos more clearly. - Background play: If you're on mobile, the audio from the video you're viewing will continue to play even if you're outside the app or your phone display is turned off. On Android, you can also view videos picture-in-picture while you use other apps on your phone. - Download videos: You can [download videos](https://www.howtogeek.com/334580/how-to-get-the-simple-lightweight-youtube-go-app-in-any-country/) or playlists to watch offline on your smartphone or tablet. - YouTube Music Premium: You also get access to Google's music service and all its features. Other benefits include being able to modify playback controls, continue watching where you left off on all videos, or queuing a video playlist on mobile devices. Google might add additional features to Premium in the future, so stay tuned\! ## Contributing to Creators ![A hand holding a phone with YouTube logo coming out of the screen and several YouTube logos in the background.](https://static0.howtogeekimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/a-hand-holding-a-phone-with-youtube-logo-coming-out-of-the-screen-and-several-youtube-logos-in-the-background.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2) Credit: Lucas Gouveia / Justin Duino / How-To Geek One of the least talked about aspects of YouTube Premium is revenue sharing. If you already block ads on YouTube with an [ad blocker](https://www.howtogeek.com/344726/how-to-set-adblock-to-only-block-ads-on-specific-sites/), the Premium service might sound pretty useless. However, ad blockers prevent creators on the platform from receiving revenue from your views. For many, the ad revenue is one of their primary sources of income. Premium offers viewers an ad-free experience that not only [saves them time](http://www.howtogeek.com/865378/how-much-time-does-youtube-premium-save-you/) but also helps them support their favorite content creators. To compute this, YouTube combines a portion of all the revenue it gets from the service. It then distributes that amount to creators based on the total view time they received from Premium subscribers. So, the channels you watch most get a bigger share of the pie. Due to YouTube's strict monetization rules, many videos get demonetized. However, a creator can still make revenue from Premium subscribers, even if the video is ineligible for ads. Here's how to [get started making your own YouTube videos](https://www.howtogeek.com/365504/how-to-get-started-making-youtube-videos/), and maybe one day, you'll get a portion of that revenue. ## Is Premium Worth It? It depends on how often you use the service, or how much you dislike ads. If you frequently use the mobile app, background play and offline downloading are fantastic features to have. With so many YouTube channels now hosting long-form content, the option to listen to lengthy videos when you're not in the app is handy. It's great for listening while you drive or cook dinner. ### How-To Geek Report: Subscribe and never miss what matters Unlock your tech-savvy potential and master the digital world with How-To Geek. * Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our [Terms of Use](https://www.valnetinc.com/en/terms-of-use) and [Privacy Policy](https://www.valnetinc.com/en/privacy-policy). You can unsubscribe anytime. If you most often watch YouTube from your desktop, the utility is definitely in the ad-blocking. Video ad revenues have been falling lately, which has led creators to put even more ads in their content. If you want to watch videos uninterrupted while still supporting those who make them, Premium is the only way to do so. Those who already subscribe to YouTube Music might as well [upgrade to YouTube Premium](https://www.howtogeek.com/dont-get-youtube-music-get-youtube-premium/) for a few extra dollars a month and reap all these benefits. One thing to consider, though, is the Originals library is relatively small, and Google shut down production in 2022. If you're not interested in watching Premium content from creators, you'll probably find the selection pretty lackluster. That said, everything else offered by YouTube Premium is rather enticing. - [Streaming](https://www.howtogeek.com/category/streaming/ "Streaming") - [YouTube](https://www.howtogeek.com/tag/youtube/ "YouTube") - [Features](https://www.howtogeek.com/tag/features/ "Features") Follow Followed Like Share [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2F659597%2Fwhat-is-youtube-premium-and-is-it-worth-it%2F%2F&src=sdkpreparse) [X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=What%20Is%20YouTube%20Premium%2C%20and%20Is%20It%20Worth%20It%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2F659597%2Fwhat-is-youtube-premium-and-is-it-worth-it%2F) [WhatsApp](https://web.whatsapp.com/send?text=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2F659597%2Fwhat-is-youtube-premium-and-is-it-worth-it%2F) [Threads](https://www.threads.net/intent/post?text=What%20Is%20YouTube%20Premium%2C%20and%20Is%20It%20Worth%20It%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2F659597%2Fwhat-is-youtube-premium-and-is-it-worth-it%2F) [Bluesky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2F659597%2Fwhat-is-youtube-premium-and-is-it-worth-it%2F) [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2F659597%2Fwhat-is-youtube-premium-and-is-it-worth-it%2F&title=What%20Is%20YouTube%20Premium%2C%20and%20Is%20It%20Worth%20It%3F&source=www.howtogeek.com&summary=Thinking%20about%20subscribing%20to%20YouTube%20Premium%3F%20We%27ll%20help%20you%20decide%20if%20it%27s%20worth%20your%20hard-earned%20cash%21) [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2F659597%2Fwhat-is-youtube-premium-and-is-it-worth-it%2F) [Flipboard](http://share.flipboard.com/bookmarklet/popout?v=2&title=What%20Is%20YouTube%20Premium%2C%20and%20Is%20It%20Worth%20It%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2F659597%2Fwhat-is-youtube-premium-and-is-it-worth-it%2F&utm_campaign=tools&utm_medium=article-share&utm_source=www.howtogeek.com) [Copy link]() [Email](<mailto:?Subject=What Is YouTube Premium, and Is It Worth It?&Body=Check%20this%20out%21%0Ahttps://www.howtogeek.com/659597/what-is-youtube-premium-and-is-it-worth-it/>) Readers like you help support How-To Geek. 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Close - ### Desktop - ### Mobile [![Tux, the Linux mascot, wearing sunglasses and working on a laptop surrounded by floating terminal windows and 3D command symbols.-1](https://static0.howtogeekimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/tux-the-linux-mascot-wearing-sunglasses-and-working-on-a-laptop-surrounded-by-floating-terminal-windows-and-3d-command-symbols-1.png?q=49&fit=crop&w=120&h=80&dpr=2)](https://www.howtogeek.com/this-linux-gui-app-makes-grep-easy-even-if-you-forget-the-flags/) ##### [This Rust-powered tool makes Linux search effortless](https://www.howtogeek.com/this-linux-gui-app-makes-grep-easy-even-if-you-forget-the-flags/ "This Rust-powered tool makes Linux search effortless") 2 hours ago [![Linux mascot wearing glasses and suspenders, using a laptop beneath pixelated 'GEEK' text.](https://static0.howtogeekimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/linux-mascot-geek.png?q=49&fit=crop&w=120&h=80&dpr=2)](https://www.howtogeek.com/this-is-the-oldest-linux-distro-still-standing-and-im-shocked-people-still-use-it/) ##### [I tried the oldest Linux distro still standing, and it was a total reality check](https://www.howtogeek.com/this-is-the-oldest-linux-distro-still-standing-and-im-shocked-people-still-use-it/ "I tried the oldest Linux distro still standing, and it was a total reality check") 2 hours ago [![Linux mascot behind three text editors with a pencil in front.](https://static0.howtogeekimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/linux-mascot-behind-three-text-editors-with-a-pencil-in-front.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=120&h=80&dpr=2)](https://www.howtogeek.com/vim-buffers-finally-made-multi-file-editing-click-for-me/) ##### [I finally figured out Vim's "hidden" file system, and it changed everything](https://www.howtogeek.com/vim-buffers-finally-made-multi-file-editing-click-for-me/ "I finally figured out Vim's \"hidden\" file system, and it changed everything") 5 hours ago [See More](https://www.howtogeek.com/category/desktop/) [![Android logo with a gear cutout in its head, surrounded by technical terms like Bootloader, Kernel, Root, and APK on a blue background.](https://static0.howtogeekimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/android-logo-with-a-gear-cutout-in-its-head-surrounded-by-technical-terms-like-bootloader-kernel-root-and-apk-on-a-blue-background.png?q=49&fit=crop&w=120&h=80&dpr=2)](https://www.howtogeek.com/android-terms-you-should-know/) ##### [What’s a bootloader? 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Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful. Reply / Post Attachment(s) Please respect our [community guidelines](https://www.valnetinc.com/en/terms-of-use#community-guidelines). No links, inappropriate language, or spam. Your comment has not been saved [Send confirmation email]() Sort by: - Bendy [![User Display Picture](https://static0.howtogeekimages.com/wordpress/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/profilepics/circle-user-solid-5.png)](https://www.howtogeek.com/profile/PR661410/) [Bendy](https://www.howtogeek.com/profile/PR661410/ "Posted by Bendy") [![User Display Picture](https://static0.howtogeekimages.com/wordpress/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/profilepics/circle-user-solid-5.png)](https://www.howtogeek.com/profile/PR661410/) [Bendy](https://www.howtogeek.com/profile/PR661410/) \#PR661410 Member since 2023-10-28 Following 0 Topics 0 Users Follow Followed 0 Followers [View](https://www.howtogeek.com/profile/PR661410/) just use a adblocker 2025-06-15 11:55:54 Upvote 1 Downvote Reply Copy - Joseph [![User Display Picture](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/profilepics/circle-user-solid-1.png)](https://www.howtogeek.com/profile/LM387456/) [Joseph](https://www.howtogeek.com/profile/LM387456/ "Posted by Joseph") [![User Display Picture](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/profilepics/circle-user-solid-1.png)](https://www.howtogeek.com/profile/LM387456/) [Joseph](https://www.howtogeek.com/profile/LM387456/) \#LM387456 Member since 2023-12-23 Following 1 Topics 0 Users Follow Followed 0 Followers [View](https://www.howtogeek.com/profile/LM387456/) YouTube Premium is just easier and cleaner within the Google ecosystem - like it or not. Not being a music service aficionado, I find YouTube Music fully meets my needs, although I realize Spotify is more sophisticated. I still use Spotify Free for podcasts, though. Yearly subscription is the money-saving approach. 2024-08-16 17:29:43 Upvote 1 Downvote Reply Copy - Bendy [![User Display Picture](https://static0.howtogeekimages.com/wordpress/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/profilepics/circle-user-solid-5.png)](https://www.howtogeek.com/profile/PR661410/) [Bendy](https://www.howtogeek.com/profile/PR661410/ "Posted by Bendy") [![User Display Picture](https://static0.howtogeekimages.com/wordpress/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/profilepics/circle-user-solid-5.png)](https://www.howtogeek.com/profile/PR661410/) [Bendy](https://www.howtogeek.com/profile/PR661410/) \#PR661410 Member since 2023-10-28 Following 0 Topics 0 Users Follow Followed 0 Followers [View](https://www.howtogeek.com/profile/PR661410/) i dont care about supporting content creators just use a adblocker its free 2025-06-15 11:55:26 Upvote 1 Downvote Reply Copy - Bendy [![User Display Picture](https://static0.howtogeekimages.com/wordpress/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/profilepics/circle-user-solid-5.png)](https://www.howtogeek.com/profile/PR661410/) [Bendy](https://www.howtogeek.com/profile/PR661410/ "Posted by Bendy") [![User Display Picture](https://static0.howtogeekimages.com/wordpress/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/profilepics/circle-user-solid-5.png)](https://www.howtogeek.com/profile/PR661410/) [Bendy](https://www.howtogeek.com/profile/PR661410/) \#PR661410 Member since 2023-10-28 Following 0 Topics 0 Users Follow Followed 0 Followers [View](https://www.howtogeek.com/profile/PR661410/) i dont care about the whole supporting content creators thing just use a adblocker its free 2025-06-15 11:54:33 Upvote Downvote Reply Copy - DP [![User Display Picture](https://static1.howtogeekimages.com/wordpress/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/profilepics/circle-user-solid-1.png)](https://www.howtogeek.com/profile/OD211672/) [DP](https://www.howtogeek.com/profile/OD211672/ "Posted by DP") [![User Display Picture](https://static1.howtogeekimages.com/wordpress/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/profilepics/circle-user-solid-1.png)](https://www.howtogeek.com/profile/OD211672/) [DP](https://www.howtogeek.com/profile/OD211672/) \#OD211672 Member since 2024-06-14 Following 0 Topics 0 Users Follow Followed 0 Followers [View](https://www.howtogeek.com/profile/OD211672/) If I understand correctly, even Premium can't block ads embedded by the maker. So, even with ad blocking, the maker is still being compensated. To me, Premium is like watching regular cable tv, commercials and all, but it just blocks extra ads, external to the show, forced on users. IOW, that just eliminate an irritant they** added. 2024-08-16 19:31:10 Upvote Downvote Reply 1 Copy - Tim [![User Display Picture](https://static1.howtogeekimages.com/wordpress/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/profilepics/circle-user-solid-1.png)](https://www.howtogeek.com/profile/ZQ143041/) [Tim](https://www.howtogeek.com/profile/ZQ143041/ "Posted by Tim") [![User Display Picture](https://static1.howtogeekimages.com/wordpress/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/profilepics/circle-user-solid-1.png)](https://www.howtogeek.com/profile/ZQ143041/) [Tim](https://www.howtogeek.com/profile/ZQ143041/) \#ZQ143041 Member since 2024-10-31 Following 0 Topics 0 Users Follow Followed 0 Followers [View](https://www.howtogeek.com/profile/ZQ143041/) Ads embedded in the video can be skipped and that doesn't affect the creator getting paid for that ad. 2024-10-31 13:07:49 Upvote Downvote Reply Copy - [Terms](https://www.valnetinc.com/en/terms-of-use) - [Privacy](https://www.howtogeek.com/page/our-privacy-policy/) - [Feedback](https://www.howtogeek.com/contact) Recommended [![Tux, the Linux mascot, using a laptop as the Windows logo behind him fades away on a blue background.](https://static0.howtogeekimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/tux-the-linux-mascot-using-a-laptop-as-the-windows-logo-behind-him-fades-away-on-a-blue-background.png?q=49&fit=crop&w=266&h=300&dpr=2)](https://www.howtogeek.com/desktop-linux-matters-even-if-almost-no-one-uses-it/) Jan 27, 2026 ### [Why desktop Linux matters, even if (almost) no one uses it](https://www.howtogeek.com/desktop-linux-matters-even-if-almost-no-one-uses-it/ "Why desktop Linux matters, even if (almost) no one uses it") [![3D printed Benchy.](https://static0.howtogeekimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/wm/2024/09/patrick-benchy.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=266&h=300&dpr=2)](https://www.howtogeek.com/the-internet-keeps-telling-you-to-3d-print-these-dont/) 3 days ago ### [The internet keeps telling you to 3D print these—don’t](https://www.howtogeek.com/the-internet-keeps-telling-you-to-3d-print-these-dont/ "The internet keeps telling you to 3D print these—don’t") [![Laptop displaying Ubuntu desktop, flanked by Fedora and Linux Mint screens, with a smiling Tux penguin.](https://static0.howtogeekimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/wm/2026/01/laptop-displaying-ubuntu-desktop-flanked-by-fedora-and-linux-mint-screens-with-a-smiling-tux-penguin.png?q=49&fit=crop&w=266&h=300&dpr=2)](https://www.howtogeek.com/best-linux-distros-for-laptops/) 2 days ago ### [I’ve tested dozens of Linux distros, and these 3 are the only ones I’d put on a laptop](https://www.howtogeek.com/best-linux-distros-for-laptops/ "I’ve tested dozens of Linux distros, and these 3 are the only ones I’d put on a laptop") [![A Windows and a Linux screen with Tux in the center.](https://static0.howtogeekimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/a-windows-and-a-linux-screen-with-tux-in-the-center.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=266&h=300&dpr=2)](https://www.howtogeek.com/no-linux-is-not-more-secure/) 4 days ago ### [No, Linux is not "more secure" than Windows](https://www.howtogeek.com/no-linux-is-not-more-secure/ "No, Linux is not \"more secure\" than Windows") [![How-To Geek logo](https://static0.howtogeekimages.com/assets/images/htg-logo-symbol-white.svg?v=2.4)](https://www.howtogeek.com/) - [Join Our Team](https://www.howtogeek.com/work-with-us/) - [Our Audience](https://www.howtogeek.com/page/advertise/) - [About Us](https://www.howtogeek.com/page/about/) - [Press & Events](https://www.howtogeek.com/page/press-events/) - [Media Coverage](https://www.howtogeek.com/page/media/) - [Contact Us](https://www.howtogeek.com/contact/) - Follow Us [![Valnet Logo](https://static0.howtogeekimages.com/assets/images/valnet-logo-icon-white.svg?v=2.4)](https://www.valnetinc.com/en/) - [Advertising](https://www.valnetinc.com/en/advertising) - [Careers](https://www.valnetinc.com/en/careers) - [Terms](https://www.valnetinc.com/en/terms-of-use) - [Privacy](https://www.valnetinc.com/en/privacy-policy) - [Policies](https://www.valnetinc.com/en/editorial-integrity) [How-To Geek](https://www.howtogeek.com/) is part of the [Valnet Publishing Group](https://www.valnetinc.com/en/) Copyright © 2026 Valnet Inc. 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Readable Markdown	[![4](https://static0.howtogeekimages.com/wordpress%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F10%2FDSC0063_resize.jpg?fit=crop&w=90&h=90)](https://www.howtogeek.com/author/vann-vicente/) [![4](https://static0.howtogeekimages.com/wordpress%2Fwp-content%2Fauthors%2F6834f9ae80729-093-YaInKTGcEgQ.jpeg?fit=crop&w=90&h=90)](https://www.howtogeek.com/author/cory-gunther/) Updated Aug 16, 2024, 11:30 AM EDT YouTube Premium is a monthly subscription service that promises to improve your viewing experience on the internet's largest video platform. Here's what you get for your money, so you can decide whether it's worth it. ## What Is YouTube Premium? YouTube Premium is the site's paid subscription service. It offers ad-free viewing of all videos, downloads for offline playback, background playback while other apps are open, and exclusive, paywalled content primarily made by famous YouTube personalities. It currently costs \$13.99 a month for U.S. subscribers, which includes a YouTube Music Premium subscription. Additionally, a family plan for up to five family members is available for \$22.99 a month. ## The YouTube Ecosystem ![Logo of YouTube Music.](https://static0.howtogeekimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/youtubemusic.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2) Credit: Corbin Davenport / YouTube [Google's naming schemes](https://www.howtogeek.com/352746/whats-really-going-on-with-youtube-music-red-vs-premium-vs-music-premium/) have always been a bit of a mess, and the same is true of YouTube. You might be familiar with a service called YouTube Red. Before 2018, that was the site's subscription tier. However, this changed to YouTube Premium following the rebranding of YouTube Music as an entirely separate app. Since there are so many brands and services now under the YouTube banner, here's a handy guide to help you tell them apart: - YouTube Premium: The site's primary paid subscription service. - YouTube Music: A separate music streaming service with its own app that allows you to listen to music for free. It's Google's competitor to Spotify and Apple Music. - YouTube Music Premium: The subscription (\$10.99) version of YouTube Music. Unlike the free version, it allows [background play](https://www.howtogeek.com/857115/how-to-listen-to-youtube-with-phone-screen-off/), offline downloads, and [higher bitrate audio](https://www.howtogeek.com/loving-youtube-music-after-changing-quality-recommendations/) in the Music app. You get this included as part of your YouTube Premium subscription. - [YouTube TV](https://www.howtogeek.com/322321/what-is-youtube-tv-and-can-it-replace-your-cable-subscription/): A live TV streaming service similar to Hulu that allows you to watch live TV and record cloud-based DVR. - [YouTube Kids](https://www.howtogeek.com/545240/why-youtube-videos-made-for-kids-have-restricted-features/): An app designed primarily for kids, that contains only age-appropriate content. The features of YouTube Premium also apply to this. - [YouTube Shorts](https://www.howtogeek.com/720355/what-is-youtube-shorts-and-is-it-a-true-tiktok-competitor/): A section of YouTube dedicated to short-form content that competes with TikTok and Reels. ## The Benefits of Premium If you're thinking of subscribing to YouTube Premium, it does have a host of features to consider. Here's a list of the service's current benefits: - Ad-free viewing: You can view everything on the site without any ads. You also get ad-free viewing on any platform you sign in to with your Google account, including YouTube on the web, smartphones, Roku, or any other streaming devices. - YouTube originals: Access to original content, primarily from high-profile creators, along with some TV shows, documentaries, and movies. - Higher quality video: Enhanced bitrate version of 1080p Premium video quality, which makes it easier to see highly detailed and fast-paced videos more clearly. - Background play: If you're on mobile, the audio from the video you're viewing will continue to play even if you're outside the app or your phone display is turned off. On Android, you can also view videos picture-in-picture while you use other apps on your phone. - Download videos: You can [download videos](https://www.howtogeek.com/334580/how-to-get-the-simple-lightweight-youtube-go-app-in-any-country/) or playlists to watch offline on your smartphone or tablet. - YouTube Music Premium: You also get access to Google's music service and all its features. Other benefits include being able to modify playback controls, continue watching where you left off on all videos, or queuing a video playlist on mobile devices. Google might add additional features to Premium in the future, so stay tuned\! ## Contributing to Creators ![A hand holding a phone with YouTube logo coming out of the screen and several YouTube logos in the background.](https://static0.howtogeekimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/a-hand-holding-a-phone-with-youtube-logo-coming-out-of-the-screen-and-several-youtube-logos-in-the-background.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2) Credit: Lucas Gouveia / Justin Duino / How-To Geek One of the least talked about aspects of YouTube Premium is revenue sharing. If you already block ads on YouTube with an [ad blocker](https://www.howtogeek.com/344726/how-to-set-adblock-to-only-block-ads-on-specific-sites/), the Premium service might sound pretty useless. However, ad blockers prevent creators on the platform from receiving revenue from your views. For many, the ad revenue is one of their primary sources of income. Premium offers viewers an ad-free experience that not only [saves them time](http://www.howtogeek.com/865378/how-much-time-does-youtube-premium-save-you/) but also helps them support their favorite content creators. To compute this, YouTube combines a portion of all the revenue it gets from the service. It then distributes that amount to creators based on the total view time they received from Premium subscribers. So, the channels you watch most get a bigger share of the pie. Due to YouTube's strict monetization rules, many videos get demonetized. However, a creator can still make revenue from Premium subscribers, even if the video is ineligible for ads. Here's how to [get started making your own YouTube videos](https://www.howtogeek.com/365504/how-to-get-started-making-youtube-videos/), and maybe one day, you'll get a portion of that revenue. ## Is Premium Worth It? It depends on how often you use the service, or how much you dislike ads. If you frequently use the mobile app, background play and offline downloading are fantastic features to have. With so many YouTube channels now hosting long-form content, the option to listen to lengthy videos when you're not in the app is handy. It's great for listening while you drive or cook dinner. If you most often watch YouTube from your desktop, the utility is definitely in the ad-blocking. Video ad revenues have been falling lately, which has led creators to put even more ads in their content. If you want to watch videos uninterrupted while still supporting those who make them, Premium is the only way to do so. Those who already subscribe to YouTube Music might as well [upgrade to YouTube Premium](https://www.howtogeek.com/dont-get-youtube-music-get-youtube-premium/) for a few extra dollars a month and reap all these benefits. One thing to consider, though, is the Originals library is relatively small, and Google shut down production in 2022. If you're not interested in watching Premium content from creators, you'll probably find the selection pretty lackluster. That said, everything else offered by YouTube Premium is rather enticing.
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