Google Tests Paywall for YouTube Music Lyrics
▼ Summary
– Google is expanding a test that restricts free YouTube Music users’ access to song lyrics, placing them behind a paywall after a limited number of views.
– Free users now see a warning about their remaining lyric views, with reports indicating an allotment of about five before being prompted to subscribe.
– This change marks a shift, as lyrics were previously freely accessible to all users in the YouTube Music mobile app.
– Google states this is still an experiment, with the number of free views varying and no final decisions made about the feature.
– The company claims the majority of users still have free lyric access, despite a recent substantial increase in user reports about the restriction.
Google is currently running a significant test that places a paywall on song lyrics within its YouTube Music service, a move that could signal a major shift in how free users access this popular feature. The experiment restricts the number of times an ad-supported user can view lyrics before being prompted to upgrade to a Premium subscription. This development marks a notable change from the platform’s long-standing practice of offering lyrics freely to all mobile app users.
In recent months, a growing number of free account holders have encountered a new limitation. While the lyrics panel still appears when playing a song, opening it now consumes one of a limited number of allotted views. User reports have surged, indicating this test is now reaching a much wider audience than before. The app displays a clear message to affected users, stating, “You have [x] views remaining.” Current observations suggest the limit is set at approximately five free views before access is blocked, urging the user to subscribe.
Google has not made any official announcement regarding this change, and lyrics are not listed as a Premium feature on the company’s support pages. A spokesperson confirmed to media outlets that this remains an experiment with no final decisions made. They noted that the number of free lyric views may vary among test participants and emphasized that “the vast majority” of global users still enjoy unrestricted access. The company’s official statement characterizes it as a test with a small percentage of ad-supported users to gather insights for potential feature improvements.
This test aligns with a broader industry trend where streaming services increasingly reserve certain functionalities for paying subscribers. For YouTube Music, which competes directly with platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, locking lyrics behind a paywall could serve as a powerful incentive to convert free users to its paid tier. The expansion of this test suggests Google is seriously considering making this a permanent part of its subscription model, though the company maintains the final outcome is still under evaluation.
(Source: Ars Technica)
