YouTube, has increased the prices of its monthly and annual premium plans in the United States. This is the first such hike since the subscription service’s inception in 2018.
The cost for the YouTube Premium plan in the U.S. is now $13.99 per month, up by $2 from the earlier rate, as confirmed on the company’s website. The price for the annual plan has also been raised by $20, bringing it to $139.99.
Those subscribers who joined the platform five years ago, including the ones who originally subscribed through Google Play, will continue to enjoy the old pricing for three additional months, as informed by YouTube.
Earlier in April, YouTube had rolled out new features for its premium users, including the ability for them to host Google Meet sessions to collectively watch videos on the platform.
The company has also increased the prices for YouTube Music in the U.S. by $1, making it $10.99. This move mirrors recent price increases by other music streaming services such as Amazon Music, Apple Music, and Tidal.
Although a price hike may not always be well-received, it’s important to note that this is YouTube‘s first such increase since its Premium service began in 2018. With added benefits and features being consistently rolled out for its premium subscribers, the price hike seems to align with the industry trends, as other music streaming platforms have made similar adjustments. As the digital content industry continues to evolve, it’s expected that pricing strategies will follow suit. We’ll keep a keen eye on how this development influences user behavior on the platform.
