YouTube Music is rolling out a new feature that requires a Premium subscription to access full lyrics. After testing for a few months, it seems the change is here to stay.
Now, when you play a song, you might see a card telling you how many views of lyrics you have left. Without a subscription, you can view only five free lyrics before they start blurring out. After that, you’ll only see the opening lines of songs. If you want full access, you’ll have to upgrade.
YouTube Music Premium costs $10.99 a month, offering perks like ad-free listening and offline downloads. You can also access YouTube Premium for $13.99, which includes benefits for the main YouTube app as well.
This move aligns with broader trends in the music streaming industry. A recent study found that 77% of users prefer platforms that offer lyrics alongside songs. Not only do lyrics enhance the listening experience, but they also boost user engagement. Many users express annoyance on platforms like Twitter, sharing their frustration over having to pay to see lyrics they used to access for free.
Google is seeing success with these subscription models. In their latest report, they shared that they have over 325 million paid subscriptions across their services, showing strong growth in platforms like Google One and YouTube Premium. In 2025, the combined revenue from year-end advertisements and subscriptions hit over $60 billion.
This shift reflects a significant change in how music companies monetize their services. As listening habits evolve, companies are looking to maximize income, especially with more competition on the horizon.
For more details on the latest features, check out [9to5Google](https://9to5google.com).
