THE tech giant has many YouTube Premium subscribers in the UK but millions still enjoy the site for free.
However, a fan has discovered that the platform wants to charge users for one of its most popular free features.
Playback speed is one of the platform’s free featuresbut now there’s evidence that shows YouTube has been experimenting with charging it as as part of YouTube Premium.
A YouTube user took to Reddit, and explained: “YouTube is currently running an experiment involving playback speeds to decide whether they should become a Premium-only feature.
“There appear to be two test groups: Group A: Playback speeds are still free and Group B: Playback speeds require YouTube Premium.
“Unfortunately, I’m in Group B. However, another account I own (not used for posting or creating content) is in Group A and still has free access to playback speeds.
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“This shows the restriction is account-based, not device- or region-based.
“If you are in Group B (no playback speed without Premium), do NOT buy Premium because of this.
“If enough people subscribe to regain playback speed, YouTube will see the experiment as successful and make playback speed a permanent Premium feature. WE DO NOT WANT THIS,
“If people refuse to upgrade and continue using YouTube without Premium, the experiment is more likely to fail and playback speed may remain free.”
Fans commented on the post and one wrote: “This is what a lack of competition leads to.”
Another stated: “Well, for me, that same very message appears when I choose speed 4X. But, yeah maybe YT will request a premium subscription for all playback speeds above normal.”
If this is true, playback will join other Premium benefits such as offline listening and ad-free viewing reports TechRadar.
The Sun has contacted YouTube for a comment.
