CALIFORNIA (Kashmir English): YouTube has hiked the monthly fee for its premium users by 10 to 15 percent from September to watch ad-free videos. Google has confirmed that an increase will apply to YouTube Premium in some European countries and Singapore.
The new prices will take effect with the next billing cycle for users from September 23, 2026. According to Google, users whose next payment is on or after September 23 will be charged at the new rate.
According to the report, the monthly price of an individual YouTube Premium plan in some European countries will increase from 13.99 euros to 15.99 euros, while in Finland the fee will increase from 14.99 euros to 16.99 euros.
In Romania, the monthly fee for an individual subscription will increase from 29 Romanian Leu to 32 Romanian Leu.
Similarly, the price of an individual plan in Singapore will increase from S$13.98 to S$15.98 per month, while the family plan fee will increase from S$27.98 to S$31.98.
Google is releasing details of the price increases in different countries in phases.
Earlier, YouTube Premium prices were also increased in the US, where the monthly fee for some plans increased by up to $4.
YouTube Premium prices are usually not increased repeatedly, but in case of price increases, this increase is implemented in different countries in phases rather than being implemented at once.
According to Google, the latest increase will be applied from the next billing date of the relevant users, provided that that date is on or after September 23, 2026.
YouTube changes view counting system
Earlier in its update, YouTube announced a major change to the way video views are counted, with the new system set to take effect on August 24.
Under the updated method, a video will register a view as soon as a user plays it, rather than relying on the previous view-counting system.
YouTube said the change was introduced after users found the existing method confusing. The new approach is similar to the systems currently used by platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.
YouTube expects the change to particularly increase view counts for videos that users watch only briefly. However, the previous metric will not disappear. YouTube will retain it under the name “Engaged Views,” allowing creators to track it through YouTube Analytics.
The company has also clarified that the change will not affect creators’ earnings or their eligibility for the YouTube Partner Program.
