YouTube Premium users across the globe are facing significant price hikes as Google increases subscription costs in over a dozen countries. This follows earlier price jumps in various regions, including the United States last summer. The latest increases vary by region, with some countries experiencing hikes between 30% to 50%. For instance, in Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Italy, the Family plan will rise from €18 to €26 starting November, while the individual plan will increase by €2 to €14.

Countries affected by these changes include Ireland, Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, UAE, Switzerland, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Colombia, Thailand, Singapore, Norway, Sweden, Czech Republic, and Denmark. Although most Reddit reports are from European users, the price hikes also impact the Middle East, Colombia, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia. YouTube had already raised its subscription prices in India by 15–20% in late August.

  • shalafi@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    This is simply Business 101. Once you have a customer base you want to trade low-payers for high.

    Did this with my computer business years ago. Woke up one day and said, “Why am I sweating these cheapskates that constantly bitch?” Fired them and kept the higher-paying, and less bitchy, clients. I was making more money for less effort and less overhead.

    I don’t know what amazes me more, that people keep paying when they know the price will keep going up, or that people bitch and moan. Last I checked, YouTube access isn’t a human right. I’ll keep using it until these is no way around their ads, but I’m not paying them a dime.

    • Cypher@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      YouTube has a monopoly and it’s no surprise people are frustrated, especially those who aren’t tech aware enough to continue blocking ads.

    • sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works
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      2 months ago

      Exactly. My brother bought an accounting firm and is planning to do just that. You can probably double-dip as well by selling these customers to a competitor/new startup as referrals.

      Business tends to follow exactly that model:

      1. get users at any cost, and lose money if you have to
      2. raise prices to improve profitability
      3. go to 1 if needed (i.e. promotions), otherwise go to 2