You can add YouTube Premium to a growing list of streaming services that are cracking down on password sharing.
YouTube Premium lets subscribers enjoy ad-free YouTube plus other features like offline viewing. Now, though, YouTube Premium has started to contact users who appear to be sharing their premium subscriptions with others. In the emails (an example can be seen on Reddit HERE), they let the customers know that they are suspected of password sharing. If the owner doesn’t reply to the email and agree to stop sharing, YouTube will put their Premium subscription on hold.
This all comes as YouTube has been bolstering its efforts to stop viewers from using ad-blockers on its platform as the extensions violate YouTube’s terms of service. The company last month touted a “global effort” to stamp them out.
“The use of ad blockers violate YouTube’s Terms of Service,” said a Google spokesperson. “We’ve launched a global effort to urge viewers with ad blockers enabled to allow ads on YouTube or try YouTube Premium for an ad free experience. Ads support a diverse ecosystem of creators globally and allow billions to access their favorite content on YouTube.”
The effort to force out ad-blockers, which cut into its ad-generated revenue, is taking hold. Google posted third-quarter ad-revenue from YouTube of $7.95 billion, compared with $7.07 billion a year earlier.
The ad-blocker crackdown also aims to drive viewers to the company’s paid tier, YouTube Premium. The site has been relentless in offering users the option to switch to the Premium tier.
YouTube Premium offers users an ad-free experience for $13.99 a month, as well as family and student plans. With a subscription, customers can also download videos for offline viewing and access YouTube Music Premium.