What a Shorts subscription is
A Shorts subscription is a paid membership that gives you access to short-form video content on a streaming platform — usually YouTube Shorts, though other services offer similar products. When you pay for a Shorts subscription, you typically get an ad-free viewing experience, the ability to read videos to watch offline, and sometimes exclusive content or early access to new videos.
The subscription works like any other streaming membership: you pay a monthly or annual fee, and the service renews automatically unless you cancel. The cost and features depend on which platform you choose and which subscription tier you pick, since most services offer multiple levels.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube Shorts content is included free with a regular YouTube account, but YouTube Premium removes ads and adds offline downloads.
- YouTube Premium costs around $11.99 per month for individuals, with discounts for annual payment and family plans.
- You can cancel a Shorts subscription at any time, and your access stops at the end of your current billing period.
- Most Shorts subscriptions renew automatically, so you need to turn off auto-renewal in your account settings if you do not want to be charged again.
- Student discounts and family plans can reduce the per-person cost if multiple people in your household want the service.
YouTube Premium and Shorts
YouTube Shorts are short videos under 60 seconds long that play in a vertical feed similar to TikTok or Instagram Reels. You can watch Shorts for free on YouTube, but they come with ads. If you want to remove ads from Shorts and the rest of YouTube, you need a YouTube Premium subscription.
YouTube Premium is not a separate Shorts-only product — it is a membership that covers your entire YouTube experience. When you pay for YouTube Premium, you get ad-free viewing on all YouTube videos and Shorts, the ability to read videos and Shorts to your phone to watch offline, background play (so videos keep playing when you close the app), and access to YouTube Music Premium at no extra cost.
YouTube Premium costs $11.99 per month if you pay monthly. If you pay for a full year upfront, the annual cost is $119.99, which works out to about $10 per month. YouTube also offers a family plan for $22.99 per month that covers up to six people in your household, and a student plan for $6.99 per month if you have a valid student email address.
How to start a Shorts subscription
To get YouTube Premium, open the YouTube app or website and look for your profile icon in the top right corner. Tap or click it, then select "Get YouTube Premium" or "Purchases and memberships." You will see the different plan options — monthly, annual, family, or student — and you can choose which one you want.
When you select a plan, you will be asked to confirm your payment method. YouTube will charge your card or payment account on the date you sign up, and then again on the same date each month (or year, depending on your plan). After you confirm, your Premium membership starts right away, and ads disappear from your YouTube and Shorts experience.
If you are already signed into a Google account, YouTube will use that account's payment method. If you do not have a payment method on file, you will need to add one before you can complete the purchase.
What happens to your Shorts when you cancel
If you cancel your YouTube Premium subscription, your access to the premium features stops at the end of your current billing period. You can still watch Shorts and YouTube videos after that, but ads will return. Any videos you downloaded to watch offline will no longer play once your subscription ends.
To cancel, go back to your profile icon, select "Purchases and memberships," find YouTube Premium, and choose "Cancel membership." YouTube will ask you to confirm and may offer you a discount to stay, but you can decline and proceed with the cancellation. Your membership will end on the date your current billing period expires — you will not be charged again.
Turning off auto-renewal
YouTube Premium renews automatically on the same day each month (or year). If you want to keep your subscription but do not want it to renew automatically, you can turn off auto-renewal in your account settings instead of canceling entirely.
To do this, go to your profile icon, select "Purchases and memberships," find YouTube Premium, and look for an option that says "Turn off auto-renewal" or "Cancel auto-renewal." This stops the automatic charge, but your current subscription stays active until the end of the billing period. When that date arrives, your membership ends and you will need to pay again if you want to continue.
Family plans and shared access
The YouTube Premium family plan costs $22.99 per month and covers up to six people. Each person gets their own account and their own Premium benefits — ad-free viewing, downloads, and background play — but you all share one payment method and one family group.
To set up a family plan, the person who pays goes to their Google Account settings and creates or joins a family group. You can then invite up to five other people to join the family plan by sending them an invite through email. Once they accept, they get YouTube Premium on their own account without paying separately.
If someone leaves the family group, they lose access to YouTube Premium when ready. The person who pays can remove members at any time, and members can also leave on their own.
Student discounts
If you are a student, YouTube offers Premium for $6.99 per month instead of the regular $11.99. To get the student rate, you need a valid student email address from a school or university that YouTube recognizes. When you sign up, YouTube will verify your student status, usually by sending a confirmation email to your school address.
The student plan includes all the same features as the regular monthly plan — ad-free viewing, downloads, background play, and YouTube Music Premium. The discount lasts as long as you remain a student and keep your student email active. If you graduate or your student status expires, YouTube will notify you and your plan will switch to the regular price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Shorts for free without a subscription?
Yes. Shorts are free to watch on YouTube with ads. You only need YouTube Premium if you want to remove ads, read videos, or use background play. The free version of YouTube Shorts works the same way as the paid version — you just see advertisements.
What is the difference between YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium?
YouTube Premium removes ads from YouTube videos and Shorts and adds downloads and background play. YouTube Music Premium is a separate subscription that removes ads from the YouTube Music app and lets you read songs. When you buy YouTube Premium, you get YouTube Music Premium included at no extra cost, but you cannot buy YouTube Music Premium alone and get YouTube Premium.
Can I use a family plan if we do not live in the same house?
YouTube's family plan is designed for people who live in the same household. If members live in different places, YouTube may ask for verification or may not allow the plan. Check YouTube's current family plan rules for your country, as policies vary by location.
Do I lose my downloaded Shorts if my subscription ends?
Yes. Any Shorts or videos you downloaded to watch offline will stop playing once your YouTube Premium subscription ends. The files stay on your device, but the app will not play them without an active subscription.
How do I know when my subscription will renew?
Go to your profile icon, select "Purchases and memberships," and find YouTube Premium. Your next billing date will be listed there. You can also check your email — YouTube sends a reminder a few days before your subscription renews.