Google introduces YouTube Premium Lite plan with almost no ads

Google has introduced a new YouTube Premium package for US-based consumers. YouTube Premium Lite is now available in the United States, with users getting "a new, more affordable way to enjoy most videos on YouTube ad-free" for $7.99 per month.

YouTube Premium Lite costs $6 less than the usual YouTube Premium subscription. To make the service more accessible (or to upsell the more costly plan, depending on your perspective), Google disabled numerous critical capabilities, including the ability to save videos for offline viewing and background play. Furthermore, YouTube Premium Lite does not provide access to YouTube Music.

The key selling point of the lower-cost YouTube Premium Lite tier is the ad-free experience. There aren't many advertisements. The $13.99 YouTube Premium package removes all adverts, whereas YouTube Premium Lite just removes them from specific videos. Google defines "most videos" as gaming, fashion, beauty, news, podcasts, and more. As a result, you may still encounter advertisements while watching videos on YouTube.

In its official announcement, Google described YouTube Premium Lite as follows:

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.

YouTube Premium Lite is now available in the United States, as well as in Thailand, Germany, and Australia via a limited pilot program. Customers in those three countries will gain access to YouTube Premium Lite in the coming weeks.

In addition to launching YouTube Premium Lite in the United States, Google revealed that YouTube Music and Premium now have over 125 million users (including free trials).