Key Highlights:
- YouTube Music lyrics now require a Premium or Music Premium subscription after limited free views.
- Users get only five free lyric views before content becomes blurred and restricted.
- The change is rolling out globally after months of testing.
- The move aligns with Google’s growing focus on subscription revenue.
YouTube Music users are beginning to see a major change: lyrics access is now shifting behind a Premium paywall. The update matters because lyrics were previously free for most listeners, and the change signals a broader push toward subscription-based features.
After months of limited testing, Google appears to be rolling out the lyrics restriction widely across regions.
What exactly changed in YouTube Music?
Once the update reaches an account, the lyrics tab shows a new notice. It informs users how many lyric views remain. Each listener receives five free lyric views. After that limit, only the first few lines remain visible. The rest of the lyrics appear blurred and cannot be scrolled.
Additionally, the app now displays a prompt encouraging users to “Unlock lyrics with Premium.” This card appears at the top of the lyrics panel in the Now Playing screen.
The restriction applies to both YouTube Music Premium and YouTube Premium subscription tiers, depending on user choice.
Why is Google introducing a lyrics paywall?
The move reflects Google’s broader strategy to grow paid subscriptions. Recently, the company said it has more than 325 million paid subscriptions across consumer services. Strong adoption has been seen in Google One and YouTube Premium plans.
Subscription revenue is becoming increasingly important. In 2025 alone, YouTube generated over $60 billion from advertising and subscription income combined. Therefore, adding exclusive features like lyrics access helps strengthen the paid ecosystem.
How much does Premium cost?
In the United States, YouTube Music Premium costs $10.99 per month. The plan includes ad-free playback, background listening, offline downloads, and AI features such as Ask Music. Meanwhile, YouTube Premium, priced at $13.99 per month, extends those benefits across the main YouTube app as well.
Pricing varies by country, but the feature restrictions are rolling out globally.
What this means for users
For many listeners, lyrics are an essential part of the streaming experience. However, Google is increasingly placing convenience features behind subscription tiers. As the rollout continues, more users worldwide will notice that YouTube Music lyrics access is no longer fully free, signaling a continued shift toward paid streaming experiences.
