# YouTube Premium Early Adopters to Experience Price Increases: Important Information
For numerous years, early users of YouTube Premium have benefited from lower subscription fees, an advantage that distinguished them from more recent subscribers. Yet, this benefit is about to come to an end. YouTube has commenced informing long-standing members that their original pricing will soon rise, aligning them with the prevailing standard fees. This adjustment is part of a larger trend of price increases that YouTube has been enacting in recent years.
## Important Information
– **Price Increase for Long-Term Subscribers**: Long-term YouTube Premium users who have enjoyed discounted rates will soon have their fees adjusted to the standard subscription price.
– **Notifications in Europe**: Early users in Europe have already received alerts about the impending price rise, with their YouTube Music subscription set to increase to €10.99/month, which is the current standard rate.
– **U.S. Subscribers Next in Line**: Although U.S.-based legacy subscribers have yet to get notifications, it is anticipated that they will encounter similar price hikes shortly, following YouTube’s pattern of regional rollouts.
## The End of Discounted Prices for Early Users
For those who have been subscribed to YouTube Premium since its inception, this update may bring disappointment. In 2014, YouTube introduced its “Music Key” streaming service, providing early subscribers a discounted rate of $7.99 per month. This was a great value at the time, and many users have maintained that pricing for almost ten years.
Even after the evolution of “Music Key” into YouTube Music in 2018, Google permitted these early subscribers to retain their discounted rates. In fact, they were upgraded to YouTube Premium, which features ad-free video streaming, while continuing to pay either $7.99 or $9.99 a month. At that point, YouTube Music alone was priced at $9.99, and the complete YouTube Premium package was available for $11.99.
However, as YouTube has broadened its offerings and functionalities, the company has also updated its pricing. In 2023, YouTube Premium experienced a rate increase, with the standard fee rising to $13.99 monthly, while YouTube Music Premium surged to $11.99. Subscribers who were paying $9.99 received a grace period before being subjected to the new rates, but those on the $7.99 tier were allowed to maintain their lower fee—until now.
## The European Update
The first batch of notifications has reached European users, particularly those who have been enjoying the discounted YouTube Music rate. These subscribers have been alerted that their monthly fee will increase to €10.99, matching the current standard price for the service. The price increase will come into effect after a three-month grace period, allowing users some time to adapt before the new charges appear on their invoices.
## U.S. Subscribers: Anticipations
While U.S.-based legacy subscribers have not yet received formal notifications, it is highly probable that they will encounter similar price hikes soon. YouTube has typically rolled out changes regionally, with the U.S. often included in these updates following Europe. If this pattern persists, American subscribers can expect to see their discounted pricing vanish within a few months.
## Reasons Behind the Price Increase
The price adjustment aligns with a broader movement in the streaming sector, where platforms are revising their pricing to reflect the increasing expenses related to content creation, infrastructure, and feature enhancement. YouTube Premium provides numerous advantages, including ad-free video streaming, background playback, and access to YouTube Music, making it a well-rounded package for users who prefer an ad-free environment and wish to enjoy uninterrupted content.
As YouTube keeps investing in its platform, encompassing original content and improved features, it is not unexpected that the company seeks to standardize its pricing across its user base, including early adopters who have been paying reduced rates for years.
## What Lies Ahead for Subscribers?
For users who have been relishing the discounted rates, the forthcoming price increase might seem like the conclusion of an era. Nevertheless, YouTube Premium still delivers substantial value for users who depend on the platform for both video and music streaming. The service’s ad-free experience, offline download options, and background playback capabilities continue to render it a worthwhile choice, even with the raised price.
If you’re an early adopter facing the price increase, you have several options:
1. **Accept the New Rates**: Continue enjoying YouTube Premium at the adjusted standard price, which still encompasses a wide array of features.
2. **Downgrade to YouTube Music**: If you primarily utilize YouTube for music, you may want to transition to YouTube Music Premium, which is slightly less expensive than the full YouTube Premium package.
3. **Investigate Other Options**: If the price increase feels excessive, there are alternative streaming
