YouTube Premium: Speed Feature Next?

YouTube is reportedly experimenting with making its playback speed adjustment tool a feature exclusive to YouTube Premium subscribers. This change, if implemented, would mean free users may lose access to the ability to alter video playback speeds.

The experiment was first noticed by a user on Reddit, who shared a screenshot indicating that access to playback speed controls required a Premium subscription. It appears YouTube is testing this by dividing users into different groups, with some continuing to have free access and others encountering the paywall.

This move could be a strategic effort by YouTube to encourage more users to sign up for its Premium service, which already offers benefits like ad-free viewing and background playback. However, it also risks frustrating and potentially driving away a significant portion of its free user base who rely on such features.