"YouTube Music has started putting lyrics - a previously free feature introduced in 2020 - behind a paywall, according to multiple users and 9to5Google. In the latest update, the "Lyrics" tab in the Now Playing screen displays a warning message: "You have [x] views remaining. Unlock lyrics with Premium." Free users get lyrics for five songs, then after that, will only see a few lines before the rest of the song is blurred."
"Google has been testing the feature since at least September with a limited number of users, according to previous reports. It's been speculated that YouTube may have made the change to recuperate costs spent with lyric aggregators like Musixmatch. Spotify also put lyrics behind its Premium paywall in 2024, but a user backlash forced it to reinstate the feature for free users."
YouTube Music now limits free users to five full lyrics views before requiring a Premium subscription; after five views free users see only a few lines and the rest is blurred. The Now Playing 'Lyrics' tab shows a warning stating remaining views and prompting upgrade to Premium. Google has been testing the change since at least September with select users. The change may aim to recoup costs paid to lyric aggregators like Musixmatch. Spotify briefly placed lyrics behind a paywall in 2024 but restored free access after backlash. Google has not confirmed the change. Premium costs $10.99 in the US.
Read at Engadget
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