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The Allure of Ad-Free Viewing
First off, let's talk about the elephant in the room: ads. Ugh, right? I mean, who enjoys being interrupted mid-binge by a five-minute commercial for something I'll probably never buy? YouTube Premium promises an ad-free experience. No more jarring interruptions! You can finally watch those adorable baby animal videos uninterrupted – a true gift, I tell you. And it's not just about the length of the ads; it's the frequency. Those little five second skippable ads? They add up, and it really does kill the flow of your watching. For me, that was a huge incentive to try the premium service.
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Offline Downloads: Your New Best Friend
Okay, picture this: you're on a long flight, train ride, or maybe even a camping trip with spotty reception. Wouldn't it be amazing to catch up on your favorite YouTubers without relying on Wi-Fi? YouTube Premium lets you download videos for offline viewing – a lifesaver when you're off the grid. I personally found this to be an amazing feature. I once went on a road trip to a remote area that lacked reliable internet; I was able to download all the videos and audios I wanted and enjoy the content without any interruption. I can also easily continue to watch when I am back on the internet.
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YouTube Originals: A Mixed Bag
This one is a bit of a toss-up. YouTube Originals are exclusive shows and movies available only to Premium subscribers. Honestly, the quality varies wildly. Some are surprisingly good, while others… well, let's just say I’ve seen better. But it's a bonus feature, and if you find something you love, it's a definite win. You get access to tons of content that you would not get on regular youtube. So it might be worth it. I'm still exploring the catalog myself.
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Music? Sweet Sounds for Your Ears!
If you're a music lover, YouTube Premium essentially becomes a pretty good music streaming service, offering ad-free listening to YouTube Music. I personally prefer Spotify, but for those who don't have a music subscription, this could be a great all-in-one solution. It may even save you money! Plus, it's really convenient to listen to music while working on something!
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The Price Point: Is It Worth It for You?
Here's the million-dollar question: is the price tag justified? It's definitely more expensive than a basic YouTube subscription (which, let's face it, is free!). To determine if it's worth it for you, ask yourself:
- How often do you watch YouTube?
- How much do you hate ads?
- Do you value the offline download feature?
- Are you interested in YouTube Originals?
- Do you already have a music streaming subscription?
If you're a heavy YouTube user who despises ads and uses the offline feature a lot, then Premium might be a no-brainer. If you're a more casual user, it might be worth weighing the pros and cons to see if it suits your needs.
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My Verdict: A Thumbs Up (Mostly!)
So, after a few months of trial, my personal verdict is mostly positive. I appreciate the ad-free viewing, the offline downloads are incredibly handy, and having YouTube Music is actually quite cool. While the YouTube Originals haven't blown me away, it's a nice extra benefit. It's really been more of a positive experience. I would recommend you to give it a try, especially for the price.
woman smiling and giving a thumbs up | Image: Supplied
