YouTube Launches Update to Reduce Data Consumption by 30 Percent

Watching videos on YouTube could become smoother and higher quality while consuming less internet data.

The platform plans to launch a new video format known as AV2 on its web player in early 2027, which may help improve streaming efficiency and reduce buffering, particularly for users relying on slow internet connections, according to a report published by Digital Trends.

The key advantage of the new technology is a 30% improvement in compression efficiency compared to the AV1 format currently used on YouTube.

However, this does not necessarily mean that every video will consume 30% less data; rather, the technology could make video viewing less data-intensive and more suitable for limited internet speeds and data plans.

Video encoding can be likened to a method of compressing a video file into a smaller digital size without significantly affecting its quality.

The higher the compression efficiency, the more the platform can deliver comparable image quality using less data, or enhance image quality while keeping the amount of transmitted data close to previous levels.

This is precisely what AV2 promises: a new generation of free video codecs developed by the Alliance for Open Media, a consortium that includes companies such as Google, Apple, Amazon, Intel, and Netflix, under royalty-free intellectual property terms.

For viewers, the potential benefits are clear: videos may appear clearer at the same data rate, while those with slow internet connections may enjoy smoother playback with fewer interruptions.

The technology could also help deliver higher-quality videos and improve the efficiency of streaming High Dynamic Range (HDR) content, which offers a wider range of colors and contrast.

YouTube states that AV2 will open the door to new viewing possibilities, potentially enabling future experiences such as following multiple camera angles simultaneously.

However, the platform has not yet announced the specific features that will reach users.

YouTube says that video streaming using AV2 may begin via the web browser in early 2027, but no firm date has been set for the technology’s rollout on mobile apps or smart TVs.

Google has already demonstrated AV2 video playback on the Chrome browser, but widespread adoption will depend on the level of support in software and hardware. Many current devices lack dedicated hardware for AV2 decoding, which could place a heavier burden on their processors when playing videos in this format.

Another important point is that AV2 will not magically speed up slow internet connections, nor does it guarantee a 30% reduction in data consumption for every video. The actual amount of savings depends on the nature of the content, viewing quality settings, and the way YouTube compresses and streams each video.

Nevertheless, if AV2 fulfills its promises, users may soon be able to watch more content at the same quality while consuming less of their internet data plan—an improvement that could prove more beneficial to viewers than adding a new button that no one needs.