If you've ever been five seconds into a video and got slapped with a loud ad about toothpaste, you’ve probably wondered: Is YouTube Premium worth it? Or better yet, 

 now, and what are you getting for that price?

 and some fresh updates rolled out in 2025, YouTube Premium is trying to be more than just "YouTube without ads." In this post, we’ll dig into what YouTube Premium is offering today, how it's evolving, and whether it deserves your monthly subscription.

No ads, original content, and videos that play in the background: For video fanatics, this is just a small taste of what 

 offers to subscribers. Formerly known as 

, this rebranded service combines a variety of features for the perfect YouTube binge.

Here’s a complete list of all the exciting Premium features:

Offline video viewing (download and watch later)

Offline music listening (download and listen later)

Background play (content plays outside app/when phone is closed)

These are great perks for viewers; however, creators will appreciate Premium for a different set of reasons. While the audience can expect fewer interruptions on the app, creators are getting what they’ve always wanted from the deal: more ways to increase their revenue on YouTube.

The service also lets creators get paid through your subscription, so you're still supporting the people you watch, even if you're skipping ads.

How Creators Earn More Money With YouTube Premium

And now for the big question: How does it all work? How are creators able to make more money on top of AdSense revenue with YouTube Premium?

In a nutshell, YouTube shares some of its Premium revenue with creators. Whatever the portion may be, the platform distributes this money to creators based on much 

So, for example, if one channel receives higher Watch Time than another, it gets a larger chunk of money. In the end, YouTube takes a 45% cut of a creator’s Premium earnings, just as it does for ad-generated revenue.

Nevertheless, earning some extra cash with Premium is something to aspire to. Every video on YouTube’s free platform is available on the paid version, so no matter what, your videos will contribute to your Premium Watch Time and earnings.

Let’s talk numbers. As of 2025, YouTube Premium offers several subscription options:

: $22.99/month for up to 5 family members aged 13+ in the same household

You also get a one-month free trial, so there’s no harm in taking it for a test run.

But here’s the twist: YouTube is now testing 

, a stripped-down version that offers ad-free viewing but 

 background play, no downloads, and no YouTube Music. It's cheaper, and for many users, that might be all they need.

Premium Lite is being piloted in the U.S. after earlier tests in Germany, Australia, and Thailand. The idea? Offer more flexible price points while still keeping the ad-free experience intact.

The New Premium Tiers: More Choice, Not More Confusion

YouTube Premium has evolved into a tiered service, tailored for different needs:

: Just ad-free creator content. No bells, no whistles.

: The whole package—downloads, background play, and YouTube Music Premium.

: Special offers that tie Premium with Google One or family sharing perks.

This move makes sense. Not everyone needs the same features, and YouTube is trying to meet users where they are. Think of it like choosing your gym membership: some people want weights and cardio; others just want the pool.

 is bundled with the full version of YouTube Premium. It lets you:

Access exclusive remixes and live performances

It's a solid offering if you’re already deep into the Google ecosystem. It may not have fully replaced Spotify for some, but it’s a nice bonus.

AI Is Here: Conversational Features and Playlist Creation

Here’s where things get interesting. In 2025, YouTube Premium is diving headfirst into artificial intelligence.

: This AI-powered tool lets you build playlists by just typing what you want, like "chill beats for rainy mornings" or "high-energy indie for working out."

: Watch a video and want more info? Ask the AI directly. It can answer questions about the video content in real-time, making the experience more interactive.

This isn’t just a gimmick—it’s a way to make your time on YouTube more efficient and intuitive. It's still early days, but the tech is promising.

YouTube Premium's Beta Lab: Try New Features First

 to test experimental features before they’re released widely. Think of it like a sandbox for future tools.

One cool example is the 4x playback speed. For power users who binge tutorials or long commentary videos, that’s a time-saver.

User feedback on this platform directly shapes what YouTube rolls out next, making Premium members part of the development process.

You can also opt for specific plans according to users on your YouTube Premium account. Special categories of such plans are:

 is ideal if multiple people in your household use YouTube. Everyone gets their own Premium experience, which avoids algorithm chaos.

 is the best value. $7.99/month is hard to beat, and you still get full access, including YouTube Music.

Just remember that the student plan requires annual verification. So yes, you need to be an actual student.

YouTube Premium isn’t perfect, but it’s getting smarter and more flexible. Between the new AI tools, better tier options like Premium Lite, and a global expansion plan, the service is adapting in a way that makes sense.

If you use YouTube daily (and let’s be honest, most of us do), then yes—

 Especially if you hate ads, want smarter features, or just enjoy seamless streaming.

While we are on the subject of viewer experience, check out this 

different way of watching videos on YouTube.

YouTube logo on smartphone with blurred YouTube Premium on laptop screen in background

Discover how YouTube Premium generates revenue for creators through watch time metrics, revenue sharing, and new features that boost your channel.

YouTube Premium in 2025: How it Works

We often talk about how different aspects of the YouTube studio impact our videos, but it's equally necessary to test their impact in real time. Sure, the 

 has most of our queries solved with the charts we can already see. What about the metrics that you don't see by default?

If you're serious about YouTube and want to grow your channel (and we know you are because you’re reading this post), you should know there’s a way of ‘testing’ your content to see what's working for you. It's a feature called 

Navigate to the ‘Analytics’ dashboard

Click on either ‘Advanced Mode’ or ‘See More’ (both take you to the same screen)

On the left-hand side of this new screen, you'll see your channel name. Click that and you'll activate a new mini dashboard

This feature is a little hard to find, but it's going to allow you to test absolutely anything you want on your channel. Notes, these YouTube groups are not public, so viewers won't be able to see them as they do with 

It's not going to interrupt their watching habits, but it does allow you to test the most minute changes on your videos to see what works so that you can double down on the best content on your channel. 

How to Set Up a YouTube Group to Test Your Channel

Now that we know all about YouTube Groups, let's set one up. The first thing we need to do is to create a ‘Group.’ We're going to call this group ‘Thumbnails with Faces,’ and the feature allows us to search through our entire channel to add as many videos as we wish. Do note that you can search for videos by their ID, and the 

maximum number of videos in one single Group is 500.

In our example, we chose five videos with a ‘face only’ thumbnail and created another group of videos without faces in the thumbnail.

Once you set some Groups up, you can view all of the advanced analytics for them, which is really useful in itself. But we can take all of this one step further.

On the top-left side of the screen, there is a compare to function which allows you to compare Groups. And that's exactly what we're going to do now - 

compare the group of videos with faces in thumbnails versus those without.

YouTube video comparison showing performance of thumbnails with and without faces

In the space of just 30 seconds of effort, we've learned something incredibly valuable about our channel. Over a given period, thumbnails with faces on the vidIQ YouTube channel perform better than those without faces, on the basis of the crucial metrics like watch time, CTR, impressions, etc.

Now, once you've created these groups of videos, just be cautious of outliers. There may be a group of videos where one of the videos in that group is contributing more than 50% of the views or the impressions because it's just a viral video for you. You'll have to trim those out of your analysis.

Practical Video Testing Ideas to Boost Your Channel

There are many ways to test YouTube videos beyond just checking thumbnails. Each test can show you what your audience likes. Here are some options:

 – Some channels do better with longer videos, while others shine with shorter clips. Test groups of videos below and above a certain length to see the effect.

 – Are your viewers into tutorials, list-based videos, case studies, or stories? Group your videos by type to determine which one gains the most engagement.

 – Compare weekly uploads against twice weekly or morning uploads versus evening ones. YouTube Analytics helps identify the 

Testing like this makes your approach to YouTube

video testing clearer. It shows which content works best with your viewers.

Many creators miss the mark when they test different styles of YouTube videos. First, 

. Testing only one or two videos per style may not give you clear answers. Try using 5-10 videos per group to see a real pattern.

Next, keep outside factors steady. Things like when you upload or seasonal changes can affect how your video does. Try to keep these details the same while you test.

Be patient, too. It often takes 2-4 weeks for a video to show its true performance. Lastly, change one element at a time. If you test different thumbnails, titles, and lengths at once, you won't know which change made the difference.

YouTube offers a neat way to test videos, but vidIQ's 

 adds extra helpful details. The tool automatically sorts your videos by key performance numbers, which makes it easier to 

The Channel Audit tool quickly breaks down the success of your channel into specific groups, so if you want to know which videos gain your channel, the most subscribers, or which videos have the most engagement or the highest watch time, we can quickly tell you.

The tool shows you which videos bring in the most subscribers, get good engagement, or have long watch times. You can see the details quickly, which saves a lot of time. It also flags videos that don't do as well as your average video. This lets you know which content to adjust or drop. In addition, it points out videos that might need extra features like end screens or cards to boost viewer interest.

Pairing YouTube's Groups feature with vidIQ’s 

 turns content testing into a smart and clear process. It helps you see what works and gives ideas to improve underperforming videos.

With these insights, we hope you can make groups to test videos on whatever basis you want to. So, 

get to uploading your videos on the creator studio

Did you know YouTube Analytics has a feature that allows you to compare different types of videos on your channel to see which perform the best? Learn how to use YouTube Groups.

How to Test Videos with YouTube Groups 

The live streaming market has been steadily increasing over the years and shows no signs of slowing down. According to 

a report by the Business Research company

, it will increase from a market share of $1.76 billion to $2.11 billion this year, following a 19.7% CAGR. 

Live streaming global market report by the business company

And with nearly one-third of the world actively watching these platforms, the scope is huge!

As we navigate through 2025, two giants continue to dominate the streaming ecosystem: YouTube and Twitch. While both platforms offer powerful tools for creators, they serve distinctly different purposes and audiences.

6 Things to Do Before Your First YouTube Live Stream

The core distinction between YouTube and Twitch lies in their approach to content visibility and audience engagement. In the video below, Dan breaks down exactly how that manifests on the specific websites, so be sue to check it out!

Twitch thrives on real-time interaction. It’s where your community shows up for you 

 you’re live. The energy is immediate, the audience is engaged, and the experience is immersive. But the downside? When you’re not live, your presence fades fast. Even with new tools like tags and clips, Twitch is still a platform that demands consistent, live availability to stay relevant.

If your strength lies in live performance and community engagement, Twitch makes sense. But know this: you’ll need to be present to stay seen.

YouTube flips the model. Live streams live on as searchable content, feeding an algorithm that keeps pushing your content to new viewers long after you hit "end stream." A strong video or stream on YouTube can keep paying dividends for months. You’re not just building for the now; you’re investing in content that grows legs.

This difference makes YouTube especially valuable if you want your content to be found organically, on viewers’ terms, not just while you're live.

YouTube wins hands down when it comes to accessibility. It’s everywhere—smart TVs, consoles, phones, browsers. Viewers stumble across content casually, which is gold for discovery. Livestreams appear right next to regular videos, so users don’t need to dig for them.

Creator live streaming video games on computer

Twitch, by contrast, is still a niche hub. You go there 

 you want to watch a stream. It’s less integrated into casual media consumption, which limits passive discovery.

YouTube's ubiquity gives it a significant edge in terms of accessibility. The platform is seamlessly integrated into virtually every digital device, from smart TVs and gaming consoles to smartphones and tablets. This universal presence means your content can reach viewers wherever they consume media.

The financial aspect of streaming represents another crucial differentiator between these platforms, with each offering distinct approaches to creator compensation.

different monetization models of YouTube and Twitch

YouTube has lowered its barriers to early monetization

, creating more accessible entry points for emerging creators:

Initial features like Super Chats and Channel Memberships unlock at just 500 subscribers and 3,000 watch hours

Full partnership requires 1,000 subscribers and either 4,000 watch hours or 10 million Shorts views in the past 12 months

Content continues generating income long after publication

Perhaps most importantly, YouTube's monetization strength lies in the extended lifecycle of content. Streams that performed well live can continue generating ad revenue indefinitely as VODs, creating a compounding effect that builds sustainable income over time. Major creators like 

 have reported YouTube ad revenue exceeding Twitch earnings by factors of 10x or more for identical content.

Twitch offers a more immediate path to initial monetization but with less favorable terms:

Affiliate status requires just 50 followers and an average of 3 concurrent viewers

Revenue splits are less generous at 50/50 for subscriptions

Income generation effectively stops when streams end

Bits (virtual currency for tipping) and direct donations supplement subscription income

The platform's advantage lies in its audience behavior. Twitch viewers are culturally conditioned to financially support creators through subscriptions, bits, and 

 benefits. This creates a more predictable income stream for established streamers with loyal communities.

Going Live on YouTube: 8 Genius Hacks for Monetizing Your Streams

The Multi-streaming Solution: Combining Platform Strengths

For many creators, the YouTube vs Twitch debate has evolved beyond choosing one platform over another. Multi-streaming, which is broadcasting simultaneously to both platforms, has emerged as a powerful strategy that leverages the strengths of each ecosystem while mitigating their weaknesses.

multi-streaming on different platforms simultaneously

Tools like Restream and Stream Yard have simplified the technical challenges of broadcasting to multiple destinations, allowing creators to:

Maintain their interactive Twitch community while gaining YouTube's discoverability

Let audiences choose their preferred platform without forcing migration

Increase overall reach by existing in multiple content ecosystems

Build platform-specific audience engagement strategies

However, multi-streaming comes with potential drawbacks. Attention divided between multiple chat feeds can dilute engagement quality, and analytics become more complex to track and optimize. The strategy works best when creators have sufficient bandwidth—both technical and attentional—to manage multiple platforms effectively.

Twitch maintains a significant advantage in terms of creator tools and interactive features. The platform's open API has fostered a rich ecosystem of third-party applications and extensions that enhance the streaming experience. This allows for advanced interactivity, including:

Channel point redemptions that trigger on-stream events

These tools facilitate a deeply immersive and participatory viewing experience that keeps audiences engaged throughout longer broadcasts.

YouTube, on the other hand, has made considerable strides in upgrading interactive capabilities too. They now offer:

Fundraising goals for charity streams or creator milestones

Gifted memberships to promote community support

Enhanced chat functionality with improved moderation tools

While these features have narrowed the gap with Twitch, YouTube still lacks the deeply embedded interactivity that makes Twitch streams feel like communal events rather than passive viewing experiences.

Understanding the unique growth mechanics of each platform allows creators to optimize their approach whether choosing one platform or pursuing a multiplatform strategy.

Consistent scheduling to build viewing habits

Heavy emphasis on chat interaction and community building

Strategic use of collaborative streams to tap into established audiences

Leveraging Twitch's newer discoverability features like tags and clips

Creating memorable stream moments that encourage clip sharing

Creating searchable, keyword-optimized titles and descriptions

Developing content that works both live and as VODs

Repurposing stream highlights into shorter, algorithm-friendly clips

Maintaining a regular publishing cadence beyond just livestreams

Utilizing YouTube Shorts as a discovery funnel for your main content

The YouTube vs Twitch debate doesn’t end with a clear winner; it ends with 

. Your style, goals, and bandwidth all factor into the right call. Some creators go all in on one platform. Others multi-stream or even explore YouTube vs Twitch alternatives like 

Adaptability is the name of the game in 2025. The most successful creators don’t just ride trends they stay nimble, explore streaming platforms

Twitch, and meet their audiences wherever they are.

check out these 5 tools that can improve your stream

Understand the difference between the two biggest live streaming platforms on the globe and what works best for you.

YouTube vs Twitch: The Best Choice in 2025

The creator economy is experiencing a technological transformation. AI tools with automated features and simplicity of use have democratized thumbnail creation, allowing anyone to produce professional-looking images in seconds. You don’t need to be a design expert to become a thumbnail maker anymore!

creator working with AI thumbnail generator

This is great news for creators of all sizes, but particularly new ones. With minimal input, creators can generate eye-catching graphics complete with bold text, vibrant colors, and visual elements that these tools conjure platform-ready thumbnails within minutes. So, it is no surprise that YouTube is quickly getting filled up with them in all corners.

How To Make Attention Grabbing Custom Thumbnails on YouTube with vidIQ

As OpenAI brought an update on image generation earlier this year

, creating high-quality graphics has become more achievable for every creator. Our creator and thumbnail wizard, John, discusses what all of that would mean in the video below.

But here's the catch: as these AI-generated thumbnails proliferate across YouTube, they're creating a sea of sameness, professionally designed yet strangely hollow. So, the most crucial question here is, how do you retain your identity while using thumbnail generators?

Beyond Pretty Pictures: What Makes Thumbnails Work

A successful YouTube thumbnail isn't just aesthetically pleasing; it's strategically crafted. The best thumbnails consist of what John calls the "Three Cs" in the video:

Does your thumbnail create a question in the viewer's mind? Does it make them want to discover more?

Can someone understand your video's value proposition at a single glance?

Does your thumbnail stand out when placed alongside competitors?

AI may excel at creating visually appealing images, but it often falls short on the first two elements. AI-generated thumbnails catch the eye momentarily, but they rarely tell a story or create emotional resonance. They look good without saying anything meaningful.

That's precisely where human creativity maintains its edge. Effective thumbnail creation isn't just about arranging visual elements—it's about understanding psychology, crafting compelling messages, and thinking like a storyteller.

How to Choose a Winning Thumbnail Style for Your YouTube Channe

The Counter-Intuitive Power of "Anti-Trending"

Here's where things get interesting: in a YouTube landscape increasingly dominated by AI-enhanced perfection, imperfection is becoming a powerful differentiator.

Consider these counter-intuitive approaches:

A simple, unedited screenshot instead of an over-processed image

A minimalist thumbnail with sparse text rather than information overload

An authentic, unfiltered photo instead of an AI-smoothed portrait

These "anti-trend" approaches are gaining traction not because they're easier to produce, but because they signal authenticity in a feed saturated with artificial polish. When everything looks the same—slick, hyper-optimized, and AI-enhanced—different wins the click.

AI can only remix what already exists. Human creativity can innovate, surprise, and connect on a deeper level.

The Platform Response: How YouTube Might Adapt

YouTube's algorithm has always evolved in response to creator behavior. As AI-generated thumbnails flood the system, we might see significant shifts in how YouTube evaluates and promotes content:

Decreased emphasis on CTR (Click-Through Rate): 

YouTube could start prioritizing metrics like watch time or audience retention over raw clicks, especially if flashy thumbnails consistently lead to disappointing content.

 Platforms may eventually implement systems to identify and potentially penalize content using AI in misleading ways.

Returns to automatic thumbnail selection: 

YouTube might revive aspects of its original approach, where the platform selected video frames automatically rather than relying on creator-designed thumbnails.

In essence, the platform could begin rewarding authentic representation over pure aesthetics—a shift that would favor genuine creators over automation.

If you're a content creator feeling the pressure of AI competition, remember that adaptation doesn't mean surrender. Here's how to maintain your edge:

 Approach thumbnails as communication tools, not just pretty pictures. Every thumbnail is essentially a pitch for your video—make it tell a compelling story.

Experiment with "anti-trend" approaches: 

Try using simple screenshots, hand-drawn elements, or authentic candid moments. Test what resonates with your specific audience.

Directly ask your viewers which thumbnails caught their attention or felt most authentic to your brand. Real human feedback trumps algorithmic suggestions.

Leverage AI thumbnail makers for ideation or drafting, but let your creative judgment make the final decisions. AI should enhance your process, not replace your perspective.

Look, AI thumbnail makers aren't villains. They're incredibly useful tools that have given many creators without design skills a fighting chance. But relying entirely on AI is like using a dating app to write your wedding vows—it might look good at first glance, but it misses the personal connection that matters.

Learn strategic approaches to combat the sameness produced by AI thumbnail generators and how to leverage these tools as a thumbnail maker without sacrificing your unique creative edge.

Uttaran Samaddar

Posts Written By Uttaran Samaddar

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