Photo Credit: Ella Don
YouTube appears to be testing a new two-person premium tier in select regions, suggesting a ‘Spotify Duo’ style subscription tier is on the way. Here’s the latest.
The test appears to be under way in India, France, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, allowing users to subscribe to a new two-person plan. MoneyControl first spotted the new tier and comes as Google is attempting to diversify its income streams beyond advertising. That’s because the U.S. DOJ is seeking to compel Google to divest its ad exchange and publisher ad server operations—core platforms for buying and selling digital ads on sites like YouTube.
A trial is scheduled for September 2025 to determine the specific remedies of Google’s digital advertising monopoly. Those remedies include possible divestitures and requirements for Google to share real-time advertising data with competitors. This new duo premium subscription would diversify its revenue streams by generating more income from direct consumer payments rather than relying so heavily on ad revenue ($77.3B in Q1 2025).
The two-person YouTube Premium subscription tier is being offered in India for Rs 219 ($2.60 USD), while a standard YouTube Premium subscription costs Rs 149 ($1.75 USD). Both members must be at least 13 years of age, have a Google account, and be part of the same Google family group. (The Google family group requirement could put a damper on more casual duo sharing, like between roommates.)
“We’re experimenting with new ways to provide greater flexibility and value to our YouTube Premium subscribers, including offering a two-person Premium plan option, allowing two people to share a subscription at a reduced cost,” a YouTube spokesperson confirmed to MoneyControl when asked about the new tier. Right now it is unclear if this new subscription tier will ever make its way to the United States, but if so, it would rival the Spotify Duo offering.
