This underrated giant has many qualities that outweigh its lack of Hi-Fi audio.
Looking for HiFi audio may cause some to bypass YouTube Music due to its 256 kbps limit. However, it more than makes up for this with its many unique features like its extensive library and diverse video content, among others.
Based on my hands-on experience, I’ve compiled a list of reasons why YouTube Music excels beyond its competitors in the streaming landscape. Let’s dive in!
1. Extensive Library of Official and Niche Content
My experience with YouTube Music has been exceptionally broad and diverse. Unlike other platforms that focus mainly on official releases, YouTube Music taps into YouTube’s vast database, making it a standout for varied and eclectic content.
It’s a treasure trove for niche music, providing access to rare tracks, DJ mixes, and live recordings—all from one platform.
As an enthusiast of anime and video game music, I’ve found more soundtracks and songs from Korean and Japanese artists here than on any other streaming service. It also offers extensive collections of music from obscure foreign bands.
Additionally, the platform offers unique content like slowed and reverb tracks, mash-ups, and DJ Boiler Room sessions. User-generated playlists on YouTube Music also cover many niche internet genres, making it ideal for musical exploration.
YouTube Music is far more inclusive than what I’ve found on Spotify or Apple Music, where searching for unofficial tracks can often be fruitless. All in all, it provides a rich listening experience that’s hard to beat.
2. Seamless Integration of Music Videos
A feature that sets YouTube Music apart for me is how I can switch from audio to video with just a single tap.
This isn’t just about adding visuals—it deepens my connection to the music by providing more context and emotional depth. It’s particularly great when I find a new artist and want to explore their work more fully.
In contrast, platforms like Spotify and Apple Music don’t integrate music videos as seamlessly. They are often hidden and not directly part of the listening experience. Plus, most songs don’t have music videos at all – even those that are from very famous artists.
YouTube Music’s approach not only enriches my enjoyment but also keeps the interface simple and focused, allowing me to stay immersed in the music without having to leave the app to find videos.
3. Cost-Effective Subscription Options
I like YouTube Music’s free tier because it’s exceptionally generous.
Unlike Spotify’s shuffle-only free mode, YouTube Music offers on-demand listening with ads. I can even occasionally skip these ads, making my experience more enjoyable.
Moreover, YouTube Music comes free with YouTube Premium. This not only removes ads from music but also all YouTube videos.
With one subscription, I can access the service on different devices without separate charges for music and videos. This makes YouTube Premium a smart, cost-effective choice.
4. Highly Personalized Music Discovery
One aspect of YouTube Music that continually impresses me is its improved music discovery.
The platform leverages Google’s AI to tailor music recommendations to my tastes. I’ve noticed it accurately discerns the genres and artists I prefer, and the subtle nuances in style and tempo of the songs I enjoy, leaving me with suggestions that feel surprisingly spot-on.
This precision is evident in my “Discover” and “New Release” mixes, which are pretty good at introducing me to new artists and tracks that resonate with me. I often find myself thumbing up many of the recommendations on these playlists.
In contrast, other services tend to recycle similar tracks within their genre-based playlists. They also mostly recommend only the popular artists and not the more not-so-known ones.
YouTube Music seems to delve deeper into my listening habits. It suggests a broader array of music, from mainstream hits to obscure tracks that rarely surface on other platforms.
5. User-Friendly Interface
Another thing that has significantly enhanced my experience is YouTube Music’s user-friendly interface.
It mirrors the familiar layout of YouTube, making navigation intuitive. This is especially handy if you’re already accustomed to YouTube. I can effortlessly find what I’m looking for, from favorite tracks to new music recommendations and my custom playlists.
This ease of use carries over seamlessly across different devices, which is a huge plus. Unlike other services like Tidal, which offers high-fidelity sound but can be cumbersome for new users, YouTube Music allows smooth transitions from one device to another without any learning curve.
Additionally, YouTube Music integrates flawlessly with the Google ecosystem, especially Google Home speakers. As a Google Home user, I find this integration immensely convenient. I can control music playback, change tracks, or adjust volume with simple voice commands, making the experience hands-free and accessible.
Furthermore, the ability to cast music videos directly to my TV from YouTube Music enhances my enjoyment, leveraging the platform’s broad device compatibility.
6. Simple and Flexible Content Management
YouTube Music excels in flexible content management, allowing me to upload my own music tracks and manage them seamlessly alongside streamed content. This is useful for including rare or personal tracks in my playlists that aren’t available on most streaming platforms.
This level of personalization and control is a significant advantage over other services like Apple Music.
While Apple Music does allow for uploading tracks via iTunes Match, it sometimes replaces my uploads with similar tracks from its library. This can be frustrating when the replacements aren’t the exact versions of the songs I uploaded.
YouTube Music, on the other hand, keeps my uploads intact, ensuring that what I listen to is exactly what I intended.
Managing uploads is straightforward with YouTube Music. I can easily integrate and sort my personal tracks with my streaming library, creating a truly personalized listening experience. This user-friendly management makes YouTube Music a standout choice for anyone wanting to combine their own music collection with a vast streaming library.
7. Perfect for Long Listening Sessions
YouTube Music uniquely caters to extended periods of listening with its extensive collections of mixes and playlists that can last for hours. For example, I’ve found entire 12-hour mixes for studying or relaxing that simply aren’t available on other services.
What makes YouTube Music ideal for these long sessions is its root in YouTube’s vast content library, which includes long-form mixes and sets uploaded by users across the globe.
YouTube Music’s ability to offer long, uninterrupted playbacks gives it a significant edge. This feature alone has made it my go-to platform for when I need music that keeps pace with my day without the need for constant interaction or playlist management.