YouTube has a plan to convince users to switch to a Premium subscription – 4K videos may only be available there

YouTube is currently one of the largest video platforms – here we can watch countless interesting materials, both related to our industry and anything else. Google introduced the premium subscription long ago, which allows, for example, to watch content without advertising or free access to YouTube Music. Anyone who had a Premium, and then opted out, knows very well how annoying ads can be served later. It looks like Google is testing stronger subscription attachments, and that’s not good news.

There is information on the web that Google has started testing the option to play 4K content on the YouTube platform only for premium subscription holders. Currently, this option is available (for now) to everyone, but it may change soon.

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In recent weeks, Google has begun experimenting with the Premium subscription in at least a bewildering way, to advertise it more and more intrusively. In the summer, there was information about the application of up to five ads without the possibility of deleting them (which was especially annoying on TVs). However, it has become quiet about this method, so perhaps Google decided to abandon it. Meanwhile, another idea has emerged to “encourage” subscribers to switch to YouTube Premium. It’s about… blocking the ability to play 4K video content for people without a subscription.

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As you can see in the screenshot above, on some movies you have the option to push to upgrade your regular account to the Premium model when the 2160p (i.e. 4K movies) option appears. Other than that, the highest resolution available was 1440p. At the moment, the convenient option has only appeared in some places and for some users, so this may be just the beginning of the tests of larger companies. It is widely known that Google wants to have as many Premium subscriptions as possible. It seems that rude ad placement is not enough to convince other internet users to sign up.

Source: Notebookcheck, Reddit