What to know

  • YouTube is testing a new two-person Premium subscription tier that offers approximately 30% savings compared to two individual subscriptions.
  • The new plan includes all existing Premium benefits including ad-free viewing, background play, and access to YouTube Music Premium.
  • This move comes as part of YouTube's broader strategy to diversify its monetization approaches in 2025.

YouTube has begun testing a new subscription option that allows two people to share a Premium membership at a discounted rate. This new tier sits between the individual plan and the family plan, offering a more affordable option for couples, roommates, or friends who want to enjoy Premium benefits.

The two-person subscription maintains all the features of YouTube Premium, including ad-free viewing across all YouTube platforms, background play on mobile devices, and full access to YouTube Music Premium. Users will still have their own separate accounts and personalized recommendations.

According to sources familiar with the test, the new plan will cost approximately 30% less than purchasing two individual Premium subscriptions. This pricing strategy aims to attract users who find the individual plan too expensive but don't need the family plan that supports up to six accounts.

This new subscription tier comes as part of YouTube's evolving monetization strategy for 2025. The platform has been actively exploring different revenue streams beyond traditional advertising, with subscription services playing an increasingly important role.

"YouTube has introduced significant updates to its monetization policies in 2025," noted industry observers tracking the platform's recent changes. The introduction of this two-person tier appears to be part of a broader effort to increase Premium subscription adoption rates.

The test is currently limited to select markets, with YouTube gathering feedback before potentially rolling out the option globally. If successful, this new tier could help YouTube compete more effectively with other streaming services that already offer similar dual-user options.

For content creators, the expansion of Premium subscriptions could potentially mean more predictable revenue, as Premium views typically generate higher payouts than ad-supported views. This aligns with YouTube's ongoing efforts to support creators while enhancing the viewer experience.

YouTube has not yet announced when the two-person Premium subscription will be widely available, but the test suggests the company is serious about making its Premium service more accessible to different types of households and user groups.

Via: TechCrunch