Music streaming habits on YouTube Music may soon change for some listeners, as the platform appears to be experimenting with new limits on lyrics access for users without a paid subscription.
User reports shared on social media platforms indicate that YouTube Music is placing a paywall on its lyrics feature. Previously available to all users, lyrics now seem to be restricted for those on the free tier. Non-paying users are reportedly allowed to view lyrics for only 5 songs per month. After this limit is reached, only the first few lines of a song are visible, while the remaining text is blurred.
According to posts on Reddit and X, some users are seeing a pop-up message while viewing lyrics, warning them that they have a limited number of views left. Screenshots circulating online show a banner above the lyrics stating, “You have XX views remaining,” along with a prompt to upgrade that reads, “Unlock lyrics with Premium.”
Once the free quota is exhausted, users are encouraged to start a YouTube Music Premium subscription or sign up for a free trial. Full lyrics access appears to remain available only to paid subscribers. YouTube Music Premium is also included as part of the broader YouTube Premium subscription.
YouTube has not made any official announcement about this change. Reports suggest the feature has been under testing for some time and may currently be limited to select regions. The move is widely seen as an effort to push more users toward paid plans.
In comparison, Spotify continues to offer song lyrics to free users. The platform attempted to restrict lyrics behind a paywall in 2024 but later reversed the decision following strong user backlash.
In India, YouTube Music offers Individual, Family, Two-Person, and Student plans. The Individual plan costs Rs. 119 per month. Family and Two-Person plans are priced at Rs. 149 and Rs. 179 per month, respectively. The Student plan is available for Rs. 59 per month. Eligible first-time users can access a 1-month free trial.
The YouTube Premium subscription, which includes ad-free YouTube and YouTube Music Premium, starts at Rs. 149 per month for the Individual plan.
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