YouTube Music introduces consistent volume to enhance user experience

In a significant update announced on April 18, 2025, YouTube Music has introduced a long-requested feature called consistent volume, aimed at improving users' listening experiences. This feature normalizes audio levels across different tracks to minimize volume fluctuations that often occur when transitioning between songs of varying dynamics. The introduction of consistent volume caters specifically to users who appreciate listening to playlists that traverse through different genres and eras, where abrupt changes in audio volume can be startling and potentially damaging to hearing. Following the trend of other music streaming services, which have had similar audio leveling features for many years, this rollout from YouTube Music marks a competitive move in the digital music space. The consistent volume feature builds upon a previous capability known as stable volume, which adjusts audio levels within video content on YouTube but does not affect audio transitions within individual tracks. Instead, the consistent volume setting is designed to provide a uniform listening experience across multiple songs in a playlist or album. Available for Android and iOS users on version 8.15 and later, the feature aims to create a smoother listening experience. It will be accessible within the app settings under the Playback submenu, enhancing control for users who have had to manage volume manually until now. By introducing this enhancement, YouTube Music seeks to retain its user base amidst fierce competition in the streaming market, encouraging users to remain engaged with its platform rather than switching to other services such as Spotify or Apple Music. While this new feature is promising for enhancing audio consistency within YouTube Music, some users have raised concerns about its potential limitations, particularly with audio ads that may not benefit from the normalization setting, thereby undermining its effectiveness. Nonetheless, the introduction of consistent volume is welcomed by many as a step forward in creating a more user-friendly music streaming environment, amidst a landscape where different audio levels can detract from the overall listening experience.