What is YouTube

What is YouTube

You can save videos for offline

Anyone who doesn't have an unlimited data plan or uses a commute that sends them on paths without cell reception knows that Save For Offline is one of the best phrases in technology. With YouTube Red, you get a download icon below every video that you can tap to save the clip for later.

This way, you can keep a handful of your favorite music videos on hand for your next dance break, or do what I do, and save the video versions of your favorite podcasts at home so you're not limited to the audio only versions on the go.

You get Google Play Music for free too

I didn't get YouTube Red by subscribing to it, but instead through my existing subscription to Google Play Music (also $9.99 per month), the least-buzzed-about Spotify competitor, which is just as good as the industry leader or Apple Music. That's right, all Google Play Music subscribers get YouTube Red, and all YouTube Red subscribers get Google Play Music. Win-Win.

The Google Play Music library offers just as many songs as Spotify, plus it includes a cloud locker service so MP3 collectors can access their rarities anywhere, with up to 50,000 uploads. The service isn't limited to just songs, though, as Google Play Music's recently added podcasts, so you can pack all of your listening needs into a single app.

In fact, Google plans to bridge the gap between YouTube Red and Google Play Music in the near future. During a panel session for the New Music Seminar conference in New York, YouTube's head of music Lyor Cohen told audiences that the company is looking into “combining YouTube Red and Google Play Music, and having one offering," answering a question about the company's plans to boost YouTube Red's popularity.

What you get with Red

First, let's take a look at the features of YouTube Red.

Arguably Red's biggest feature is the ad-free experience. Subscribers don't see any advertisements before or during videos, and they aren't subjected to the banner, search, or video-overlay ads. This is a huge perk for people like me who watch more YouTube than TV, as well as for those who simply detest online ads.

Another big feature is the ability to play a video's audio in the background when you're not actively watching it on a mobile device. The audio-without-video feature lets you use the YouTube app on your smartphone to listen to a video while simultaneously using other apps. This also feeds into the uninterrupted music feature, which lets subscribers listen to ad-free music via music videos in the YouTube app. As a bonus, Red subscribers get a subscription to Google Music, the company's main music streaming service. A single Google Music account costs $10 per month, so you're essentially getting both services for the price of one.

The final two Red features are offline viewing and Red Originals. Offline viewing is simple: save any YouTube videos to your account to watch at a later time, with no need for an Internet connection. Those videos remain in your offline videos folder for 30 days before they are removed. Red Originals are shows and movies YouTube creates in collaboration with many of its top talents.

Become a YouTube Red member to access benefits on YouTube, YouTube Music, YouTube Gaming, and YouTube Kids. 

1. Open the YouTube app on your phone or tablet.
2. Sign in to the Google account you'd like to start your membership on. 
3. Select your profile photo > Get YouTube Red.  
4. Tap Try it free to sign up.