Data-Saving ‘YouTube Go’ App Now Available For Download In India

The beta version of YouTube Go, a standalone app first announced by the video giant last September, is now available for download via Google Play in the Indian market — for which it was specifically designed. The app, which enables users to save videos offline in order to cope with the expenses and headaches surrounding high data costs and spotty Internet connections, also serves to target YouTube users in South Asia and the Middle East.

YouTube Go boasts additional data-saving features, according to a blog post announcing its launch, in order to give users more transparency and control over usage. Users can preview videos before opting to watch them, for instance, in order to help determine whether the data cost will be worth the view. Additionally, users can choose the amount of data that they’d like to spend in order to save or stream a specific clip.

YouTube Go has evolved greatly since the app entered beta in February, writes product manager Jay Akkad: “Some things we’ve learned in the run-up to this beta release include making the home screen fresher and more relevant for users, so they can find amazing videos easily. We’ve also worked hard behind the scenes to make sharing videos with nearby friends an even more seamless experience.”

An official version of the app is slated to launch more broadly in the future, the company says.

YouTube has ramped up its focus on the lucrative and fast-growing Indian video market in recent months. In February, the company launched a nationwide TV and digital ad campaign spotlighting local creators.