YouTube Premium users hit with ads despite paying for ad-free service
YouTube Premium subscribers have faced unexpected ads when using YouTube Music on Google Home and Nest devices. Despite paying £11.99 a month for an ad-free service, users reported interruptions for months. The issue first surfaced in February, with complaints spreading across online forums.
The problems extended beyond ads. Many also experienced delays before songs started, inconsistent volume, and difficulties casting music to speakers.
The first reports appeared on the Google Home subreddit on 20 February. Users described hearing ads even after resetting their devices, indicating the fault was tied to their accounts rather than individual hardware. Some had struggled with similar issues for over a year, with one frustrated subscriber cancelling their membership entirely.
Google's official Nest Community account later responded, claiming the problem had been fixed. They asked users to flag any further disruptions. However, no public timelines or detailed solutions were shared for the broader reliability concerns affecting Google Home and Nest devices.
Beyond ads, subscribers highlighted other persistent faults. These included long pauses before playback, unexpectedly low volume, and problems with casting music to speakers. Some also criticised YouTube Music's algorithm for poor song recommendations and erratic behaviour.
The issues coincided with wider complaints about Google's smart home ecosystem. Since February, users have reported ongoing instability, including failures linked to the Gemini update. Despite acknowledgements from Google, no comprehensive status reports or fixes have been published in the available data.
The disruption has left paying subscribers without the ad-free service they expected. While Google stated the issue was resolved, users continue to face broader performance problems with YouTube Music and Nest devices. No official updates on a full solution have been provided since the initial reports in February.
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