YouTube is experimenting with a controversial change that could turn one of its most-used features into a paid perk. According to user reports, the platform is testing whether playback speed controls should be limited to Premium subscribers.

The experiment appears to divide users into separate groups. Some accounts retain free access to playback speed controls, while others see the feature locked behind a Premium prompt. Playback speed has long been a staple for power users, especially those watching educational, news, or long-form content.

Google later clarified that non-Premium users can still access speeds up to 2x, while Premium subscribers can go as high as 4x. The company noted that it frequently runs experiments designed to highlight Premium features and encourage upgrades.

If the test proves successful, it may signal YouTube’s intent to monetize even long-standing core features as subscription growth becomes a higher priority.

Source: https://www.androidauthority.com/youtube-premium-playback-speed-experiment-3635209/