- YouTube begins pausing family accounts that do not share the same address as the administrator.
- Notices give you 14 days to regularize your status; during the pause, you lose your Premium benefits.
- The platform performs an electronic check-in every 30 days to verify the location.
- In Spain, the family plan costs €25,99 and includes up to five members over the age of 13.
The platform has begun to apply more rigorously one of its best-known rules: the YouTube Premium family plans are only valid when all members live in the same household as the administrator. Anyone who does not meet this condition risks having their access temporarily suspended, a strategy reminiscent of the controls from other platforms of the sector.
The family plan allows you to add up to five members over 13 years of age under one roof by 25,99 euros per month and includes benefits such as ad-free playback, downloads, and YouTube Music. Until now, the residency requirement was loosely enforced, but YouTube has decided tighten its compliance to avoid shared use between different households.
What YouTube is doing with family accounts
Several users are receiving emails warning them that their family subscription is being canceled. “will pause” in 14 days if it is confirmed that they do not share a home with the administrator. During that period and after the pause, the affected member will remain in the family group, but will only be able to use YouTube with ads and no downloads, losing YouTube Music and the rest of the Premium benefits.
The messages indicate that it is “possible” that the user does not reside in the same home, which opens the door to correcting the situation or contact support to prove eligibility. Although cases have been reported on forums and networks, for now it does not seem to be a completely massive action, but rather a stricter enforcement of a rule that was already in the conditions.
How the platform verifies the address
According to official help, YouTube runs a “electronic registration” every 30 days to verify that members share a location with the plan administrator. This periodic check makes it easier to detect accounts that do not operate from the same home and activate the corresponding pause if applicable.
The company doesn't detail all the methods, but it typically relies on approximate location signals, networks, and devices to determine if a member is connecting from a different address. The goal is simple: prevent the family plan from being used as a shared subscription between homes, something out of the norm.
Limits and price of the family plan in Spain
In Spain, the YouTube Premium family plan costs € 25,99 per month y allows you to add up to five members (in addition to the administrator), as long as they are over 13 years old and live in the same home. Benefits include ad-free playback, background listening, downloads, and access to YouTube Music.
Compared to the individual plan, which It has a price of €13,99, the family offers savings if the group is full. There is also a Student option for €8,99 per month, aimed at users who meet the established academic requirements.
Options if you receive the notice
If you receive the notification, the first thing is to check the section Family / Manage family group in your Google account to check the saved address. From there You can use the Verify Address option when available., especially if you have recently moved and have not updated your information.
YouTube communication includes access to the support form for confirm eligibility. In this way, you can provide information proving that you actually live in the same household as the administrator. If there are people in your group who don't live together, It is advisable to adjust the composition of the plan before the pause date arrives.
Context: The sector tightens sharing
YouTube's move aligns with the strategy of other streaming platforms, which have restricted the shared use between households to boost its own subscriptions. With this line, the company seeks to ensure that family plans are used as they were designed: for a sole address.
In parallel, the company has tested a type of Premium subscription for two people, designed for those who want to share benefits at a lower cost without resorting to the family plan. This type of alternative reduces the incentive to break the rule of same home.
Common questions
- Can it be shared between different cities? No. The rule requires that all members live in the same household as the administrator.
- What happens during or after the 14-day break? The affected member remains in the group, but you will see ads, you will not be able to download or use YouTube Music.
- How often is it checked? YouTube makes a monthly electronic registration (every 30 days) to verify residency.
- How many people does the plan accommodate? Administrator + up to five members older than 13 years, all in the same address.
- Can I appeal a notice? Yes. it's possible contact support and provide proof of residency to confirm eligibility.
The tightened controls make it clear that YouTube wants family plans to fit its definition: a single household, up to five members and without shared use between households. With 14 days' notice and monthly verifications, anyone who is out of compliance should regularize their situation or accept that they will lose the benefits of Premium.
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