YouTube is already adding more ads to its latest Premium subscription
YouTube is adding more ads to its cheaper subscription plan just months after launching it in the United States.
Earlier in 2025, YouTube revealedPremium Lite, a cheaper version of its traditional Premium service with less bells and whistles than its more expensive counterpart.
While YouTube Premium completely removes ads, gives users access to YouTube Music, background play, and more, Premium Lite only removes ads when watching non-music videos.
YouTube Premium Lite subscribers brace for ads on shorts
In late May, a user on theTWiT.community forumrevealed an email they received about the incoming ads.
“We are writing to let you know that beginning 26 June 2025, ads may appear on Shorts, in addition to music content and when you search or browse. Most videos will continue to remain ad-free.”
This was backed up by the German websiteDeskModder, which shared an email they had received from the platform containing the same info.
For users who watch a lot of shorts, this could be a big enough change to force them to upgrade to the standard Premium offering.
Meanwhile, the Google-owned platform has continued to find new ways to implement ads. In 2024, the siteadded ads to pause screens. Not only that, but many users have reported encountering an abundance of extreme and sexualized ads and claim the platform hasrefused to take action.
YouTube makes creating AI videos easier as platform closes in on $40B in ad revenue
YouTube is blocking videos for viewers who aren’t even using adblockers
YouTube responds after users say Shorts ‘ruined the platform’ and should be its own app
In May, YouTube revealed plans to useAI to insert commercialswhen users are the most emotionally invested in a video.
