View source for Spotify

{{Short description|Swedish audio streaming service}}
{{distinguish|Shopify}}
{{pp|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox website
| name = Spotify Technology S.A.
| logo = 2024 Spotify Logo.svg
| logo_size = 250px
| logo_alt = The Spotify logo
| country_of_origin = Sweden
| locations = 15 offices<ref name="Spotify about">{{Cite web |title=About us |url=https://www.spotify.com/au/about-us/contact/ |access-date=29 June 2021 |website=Spotify |archive-date=7 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007075654/https://www.spotify.com/au/about-us/contact/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| founder = {{Unbulleted list|[[Daniel Ek]]|[[Martin Lorentzon]]}}
| key_people = Daniel Ek (Chairman & CEO)<br>Martin Lorentzon (treasurer)
| industry = {{Unbulleted list|Audio streaming|Podcasting}}
| url = {{url|https://www.spotify.com/|spotify.com}}
| registration = Required
| company_type = Public company
| traded_as = {{ubl|{{NYSE|SPOT}}|[[Russell 1000]] component}}
| foundation = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2006|4|23}}
| launched = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2008|10|7}}
| location_city = [[Luxembourg City|Luxembourg]], Luxembourg <small>(Registered HQ)</small><ref name="sec">{{Cite web |title=20-F |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1639920/000163992021000006/0001639920-21-000006-index.htm |access-date=13 March 2021 |website=20-F |ref={{harvid|20-F|2020}} |archive-date=6 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206000111/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1639920/000163992021000006/0001639920-21-000006-index.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><br />
[[Stockholm]], Sweden <small>(Operational Main Office)</small><ref name="sec">{{Cite web |title=20-F |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1639920/000163992021000006/0001639920-21-000006-index.htm |access-date=13 March 2021 |website=20-F |ref={{harvid|20-F|2020}} |archive-date=6 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206000111/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1639920/000163992021000006/0001639920-21-000006-index.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Spotify about" />
| num_employees = 7,242 (September 2024)<ref name="QFR">{{Cite web |access-date=4 December 2023 |title=Spotify Technology S.A. Q3 2023 update |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1639920/000114036123049225/ef20012857_ex99-1.htm |publisher=[[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]] |archive-date=4 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204124436/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1639920/000114036123049225/ef20012857_ex99-1.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
| num_users = {{Unbulleted list
| '''Free''': 402 million
| '''Paying''': 252 million
| '''Total (MAU)''': 640 million
}}({{As of
|2024
|09
|30
|alt                = September 2024}})<ref name="20F2023" />{{rp
|46}}
| revenue = {{increase}} €13.25&nbsp;billion (2023)<ref name="20F2023">{{Cite web |date=8 February 2024 |title=Form 20-F |url=https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1639920/000163992024000004/ck0001639920-20231231.htm |access-date=13 February 2024 |publisher=US Securities and Exchange Commission |archive-date=13 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240213071117/https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1639920/000163992024000004/ck0001639920-20231231.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
| operating_income = {{increasenegative}} €–446&nbsp;million (2023)<ref name="20F2023" />
| net_income = {{decrease}} €–532&nbsp;million (2023)<ref name="20F2023" />
| assets = {{increase}} €8.35&nbsp;billion (2023)<ref name="20F2023" />
| equity = {{increase}} €2.52&nbsp;billion (2023)<ref name="20F2023" />
| subsidiaries = {{plainlist|
* Spotify AB<ref name = "Legal Entity Identifier Spotify AB">{{Cite web |title=Spotify AB |url=https://lei.report/LEI/5493004INDUJX1TDHI57 |access-date=10 March 2021 |website=Legal Entity Identifier |archive-date=26 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526130112/https://lei.report/LEI/5493004INDUJX1TDHI57 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="sec" />{{rp|43}}
* Spotify USA Inc.<ref name = "sec" />{{rp|43}}
* Spotify Ltd (UK)<ref name = "sec" />{{rp|43}}
* Several other regional subsidiaries<ref name = "sec" />{{rp|43}}
* [[Tencent Music]] (16.9%)}}
}}
'''Spotify''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|p|ɒ|t|ɪ|f|aɪ}}; {{IPA|sv|ˈspɔ̂tːɪfaj|lang}}) is a [[List of companies of Sweden|Swedish]]<ref name="spotify1">{{Cite web |title=Contact |url=https://www.spotify.com/us/about-us/contact/ |access-date=20 February 2022 |publisher=Spotify |archive-date=9 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160709201431/https://www.spotify.com/us/about-us/contact/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Streaming media|audio streaming]] and media service provider founded on 23 April 2006 by [[Daniel Ek]] and [[Martin Lorentzon]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 October 2016 |title=Spotify UK revenues surge to almost £190m as mobile subscriptions take off |url=http://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/oct/14/spotify-uk-revenues-surge-to-almost-190m-as-mobile-subscriptions-take-off |access-date=6 August 2021 |website=The Guardian |language=en |archive-date=17 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717195247/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/oct/14/spotify-uk-revenues-surge-to-almost-190m-as-mobile-subscriptions-take-off |url-status=live }}</ref> {{As of|2024|September}}, it is one of the largest providers of [[music streaming service|music streaming services]], with over 640 million monthly [[active users]] comprising 252 million paying subscribers.<ref name="QFR" /><ref name="Spotify company info2">{{Cite web |date=31 March 2024 |title=Company Info |url=https://newsroom.spotify.com/company-info/ |access-date=2 February 2022 |website=Spotify For the Record |archive-date=30 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930060609/https://newsroom.spotify.com/company-info/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Spotify is listed (through a [[Luxembourg City]]-domiciled [[holding company]], '''Spotify Technology S.A.'''<ref name="sec" />) on the [[New York Stock Exchange]] in the form of [[American depositary receipt]]s.
Spotify offers [[Digital rights management|digital copyright restricted]] recorded audio content, including more than 100 million songs and 6 million [[podcast]] titles, from record labels and media companies.<ref name="Spotify company info2" /> Operating as a [[freemium]] service, the basic features are free with advertisements and limited control, while additional features, such as offline listening and commercial-free listening, are offered via paid [[Subscription business model|subscriptions]]. Users can search for music based on artist, album, or [[Music genre|genre]], and can create, edit, and share [[playlist]]s. It offers some [[social media]] features, following friends and creating listening parties called "Jams".
As of December 2022, Spotify is available in most of Europe, as well as Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Oceania, with a total availability in 184 markets.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Spotify |url=https://newsroom.spotify.com/company-info/ |access-date=10 January 2022 |website=Spotify |language=en-US |archive-date=30 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930060609/https://newsroom.spotify.com/company-info/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Its users and subscribers are based largely in the US and Europe, jointly accounting for around 53% of users and 67% of revenue.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spotify Q3 2022 investor presentation |url=https://s29.q4cdn.com/175625835/files/doc_financials/2022/q3/Q3-2022-Shareholder-Deck-FINAL-LOCKED.pdf |access-date=7 January 2023 |archive-date=23 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123020252/https://s29.q4cdn.com/175625835/files/doc_financials/2022/q3/Q3-2022-Shareholder-Deck-FINAL-LOCKED.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> It has no presence in [[mainland China]] where the market is dominated by [[QQ Music]]. The service is available on most devices, including [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[macOS]], and [[Linux]] computers, [[iOS]] and [[Android (operating system)|Android]] smartphones and tablets, [[Home automation|smart home]] devices such as the [[Amazon Echo]] and [[Google Nest]] lines of products, and [[digital media player]]s like [[Roku]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spotify Music |url=https://channelstore.roku.com/details/19977/spotify |access-date=12 November 2018 |website=Roku Channel Store |publisher=Roku |archive-date=28 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928012717/https://channelstore.roku.com/details/19977/spotify |url-status=live }}</ref> As of December 2023, Spotify was the [[List of most-visited websites|47th most-visited website in the world]] with 24.78% of its traffic coming from the United States followed by Brazil with 6.51% according to data provided by [[Semrush]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Top websites|url=https://www.semrush.com/trending-websites/global/all|website=Semrush|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=19 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231219181830/https://www.semrush.com/trending-websites/global/all|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.semrush.com/website/spotify.com/overview/?source=trending-websites|title=spotify.com|website=[[semrush]]|access-date=25 December 2023|archive-date=25 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225141959/https://www.semrush.com/website/spotify.com/overview/?source=trending-websites|url-status=live}}</ref>
Unlike physical or download sales, which pay artists a fixed price per song or album sold, Spotify pays [[royalties]] based on the number of artist streams as a proportion of total songs streamed. It distributes approximately 70% of its total revenue to rights holders (often record labels), who then pay artists based on individual agreements.<ref name=":22">{{Cite news |last=Sehgal |first=Kabir |date=26 January 2018 |title=Spotify and Apple Music should become record labels so musicians can make a fair living |publisher=CNBC |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/26/how-spotify-apple-music-can-pay-musicians-more-commentary.html |access-date=21 November 2018 |archive-date=24 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224043025/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/26/how-spotify-apple-music-can-pay-musicians-more-commentary.html |url-status=live }}</ref> While certain musicians have voiced objections to Spotify's royalty structure and its effect on record sales, others laud the service for offering a lawful option to combat piracy and for remunerating artists each time their music is played.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Swanson |first=Kate |year=2013 |title=A Case Study on Spotify: Exploring Perceptions of the Music Streaming Service |url=http://www.meiea.org/Journal/Vol13/Swanson |journal=Journal of the Music and Entertainment Industry Educators Association |volume=13 |issue=1 |pages=207–230 |doi=10.25101/13.10 |doi-access=free |access-date=5 November 2023 |archive-date=1 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201024516/https://www.meiea.org/Journal/Vol13/Swanson |url-status=live  |issn = 1559-7334 }}</ref>
{{Toclimit|3}}
== History ==
Spotify was founded in 2006 in [[Stockholm]], Sweden,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 March 2018 |title=The story of Spotify: Sweden's controversial king of music streaming |work=The Local Sweden |url=https://www.thelocal.se/20180302/the-story-of-spotify-swedens-controversial-king-of-music-streaming |access-date=31 May 2020 |archive-date=2 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200602210017/https://www.thelocal.se/20180302/the-story-of-spotify-swedens-controversial-king-of-music-streaming |url-status=live }}</ref> by [[Daniel Ek]], former [[Chief technology officer|CTO]] of [[Stardoll]], and Martin Lorentzon, co-founder of [[Tradedoubler]].<ref name="Parsons">{{Cite web |last=Parsons |first=Jeff |date=3 April 2018 |title=History of Spotify: how the Swedish streaming company changed the music industry |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tech/history-spotify-how-swedish-streaming-12291542 |access-date=31 May 2020 |website=mirror |archive-date=3 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603170642/https://www.mirror.co.uk/tech/history-spotify-how-swedish-streaming-12291542 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Huddleston Jr. |first=Tom |date=4 April 2018 |title=How Spotify's college-dropout founder became a self-made millionaire at 23&nbsp;— and a billionaire at 35 |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/04/spotify-ceo-daniel-ek-is-a-billionaire-after-ipo.html |access-date=31 May 2020 |publisher=CNBC |archive-date=3 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203054502/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/04/spotify-ceo-daniel-ek-is-a-billionaire-after-ipo.html |url-status=live }}</ref> According to Ek, the company's title was initially misheard from a name shouted by Lorentzon. Later they conceived a [[portmanteau]] of "spot" and "identify".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bertoni |first=Steven |title=Spotify's Daniel Ek: The Most Important Man In Music |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenbertoni/2012/01/04/spotifys-daniel-ek-the-most-important-man-in-music/ |access-date=31 May 2020 |website=Forbes |archive-date=18 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418112652/https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenbertoni/2012/01/04/spotifys-daniel-ek-the-most-important-man-in-music/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Early international launches ===
[[File:Daniel Ek addressing Spotify staff.jpg|thumb|Daniel Ek addressing Spotify staff in 2010]]
[[File:Spotify HQ.jpg|thumb|Former Spotify headquarters in Stockholm]]
In February 2009, Spotify opened public registration for the free service tier in the United Kingdom.<ref name="Parsons" /> Registrations surged following the release of the mobile service, leading Spotify to halt registration for the free service in September, returning the UK to an invitation-only policy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spotify reintroduces waiting list, nudges you to paying |url=https://www.theregister.com/2009/09/11/spotify_signups/ |access-date=31 May 2020 |website=The Register |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803132131/https://www.theregister.com/2009/09/11/spotify_signups/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Spotify launched in the United States in July 2011, and offered a six-month, ad-supported trial period, during which new users could listen to an unlimited amount of music for free. In January 2012, the free trial periods began to expire, limiting users to ten hours of streaming each month and five plays per song.<ref>{{Cite web |last=D'Orazio |first=Dante |date=6 January 2012 |title=Spotify early adopters will soon lose unlimited listening on free accounts |url=https://www.theverge.com/2012/1/6/2688250/spotify-free-account-restriction-10-hours-per-month |access-date=31 May 2020 |website=The Verge |archive-date=5 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205091312/https://www.theverge.com/2012/1/6/2688250/spotify-free-account-restriction-10-hours-per-month |url-status=live }}</ref> Using PC streaming, a similar structure to the one used today allowed the listener to play songs freely, but with ads every 4–7 songs depending on listening duration. Later that same year, in March, Spotify removed all limits on the free service tier indefinitely, including mobile devices.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 March 2012 |title=Spotify to continue to let US users stream music for free |url=https://nypost.com/2012/03/29/spotify-to-continue-to-let-us-users-stream-music-for-free/ |access-date=31 May 2020 |website=New York Post |archive-date=2 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202185704/https://nypost.com/2012/03/29/spotify-to-continue-to-let-us-users-stream-music-for-free/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In April 2016, Ek and Lorentzon wrote an open letter to Swedish politicians, demanding action in three areas that they claimed hindered the company's ability to recruit top talent as Spotify grew, including access to flexible housing, better education in the programming and development fields, and stock options. Ek and Lorentzon wrote that to continue competing in a global economy, politicians needed to respond with new policies, or thousands of Spotify jobs would be moved from Sweden to the United States.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sheffield |first=Hazel |date=15 April 2016 |title=Spotify's threats to leave Sweden spur startup protest in Stockholm |work=[[The Independent]] |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/spotifys-threats-to-leave-sweden-spur-startup-protest-in-stockholm-a6986431.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=11 December 2017 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/spotifys-threats-to-leave-sweden-spur-startup-protest-in-stockholm-a6986431.html |archive-date=24 May 2022}}</ref>
In February 2017, Spotify announced the expansion of its United States operations in [[Lower Manhattan]], New York City, at [[4 World Trade Center]], adding approximately 1,000 new jobs and retaining 832 existing positions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 February 2017 |title=Spotify expands with World Trade Center move |url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/business/02/16/17/spotify-expands-with-world-trade-center-move |access-date=15 February 2017 |publisher=Agence France-Presse via ABS-CBN |archive-date=16 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216024956/http://news.abs-cbn.com/business/02/16/17/spotify-expands-with-world-trade-center-move |url-status=live }}</ref> The company's US headquarters are in New York City's [[Flatiron District]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Loudenback |first=Tanza |date=25 July 2016 |title=Step inside Spotify's New York City office, where you'll find an airy roof deck, cold brew coffee, and a secret recording studio |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/spotify-office-tour-2016-7 |access-date=19 February 2017 |website=[[Business Insider]] |archive-date=20 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220094011/http://www.businessinsider.com/spotify-office-tour-2016-7 |url-status=live }}</ref>
On 14 November 2018, the company announced 13 new markets in the [[MENA]] region, including the creation of a new Arabic hub and several playlists.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 November 2021 |title=Spotify expands to Iraq and Libya |work=Arab News |url=https://arab.news/naj9n}}</ref>
=== Other developments ===
==== Streaming records ====
{{Main|List of most-streamed artists on Spotify|List of Spotify streaming records}}
In October 2015, "[[Thinking Out Loud]]" by [[Ed Sheeran]] became the first song to pass 500 million streams.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Weiner |first=Natalie |date=12 October 2015 |title=Ed Sheeran's 'Thinking Out Loud' Becomes First Song to Hit 500 Million Spotify Streams |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/6723002/ed-sheeran-thinking-out-loud-spotify-500-million-streams |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=13 November 2016 |archive-date=13 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113190903/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/6723002/ed-sheeran-thinking-out-loud-spotify-500-million-streams |url-status=live }}</ref> A month later, Spotify announced that "[[Lean On]]" by [[Major Lazer]] and [[DJ Snake]] featuring [[MØ]] was its most-streamed song of all time with over 525 million streams worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 November 2015 |title=Leaning power: Spotify names its most streamed track of all time |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/nov/12/spotify-most-streamed-track-all-time-major-lazer-lean-on |access-date=13 November 2016 |website=[[The Guardian]] |archive-date=3 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803052949/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/nov/12/spotify-most-streamed-track-all-time-major-lazer-lean-on |url-status=live }}</ref> In April 2016, [[Rihanna]] overtook [[Justin Bieber]] to become the biggest artist on Spotify, with 31.3&nbsp;million monthly active listeners.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ingham |first=Tim |date=7 April 2016 |title=The biggest artist on Spotify is a shareholder in Tidal |url=http://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/biggest-artist-spotify-shareholder-tidal |access-date=13 November 2016 |website=Music Business Worldwide |archive-date=30 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930192929/http://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/biggest-artist-spotify-shareholder-tidal/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2016, Rihanna was overtaken by [[Drake (musician)|Drake]] with 31.85&nbsp;million monthly listeners.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Rhian |date=18 May 2016 |title=Drake is Spotify's most popular artist in history ... and right now |url=http://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/drake-is-spotifys-most-popular-artist-in-history-and-right-now/ |access-date=19 December 2016 |website=Music Business Worldwide |archive-date=20 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220183535/http://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/drake-is-spotifys-most-popular-artist-in-history-and-right-now/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2016, Drake's just-under 36 million monthly listeners were overtaken by the [[The Weeknd|Weeknd]]'s 36.068&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ingham |first=Tim |date=1 December 2016 |title=Drake finally loses his Spotify crown to record-breaking The Weeknd |url=http://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/drake-finally-loses-his-crown-on-spotifys-to-record-breaking-the-weeknd/ |access-date=19 December 2016 |website=Music Business Worldwide |archive-date=20 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220183955/http://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/drake-finally-loses-his-crown-on-spotifys-to-record-breaking-the-weeknd/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Later that same month, Drake's song "[[One Dance]]" became the first song to hit one billion streams on Spotify.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McIntyre |first=Hugh |date=16 December 2016 |title=Drake's ''One Dance'' Is The First Song To Hit 1 Billion Plays On Spotify |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2016/12/16/drakes-one-dance-is-the-first-song-to-hit-1-billion-plays-on-spotify/ |access-date=19 December 2016 |website=[[Forbes]] |archive-date=17 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161217113530/http://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2016/12/16/drakes-one-dance-is-the-first-song-to-hit-1-billion-plays-on-spotify/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |date=16 December 2016 |title=Drake's ''One Dance'' Is First Song to Reach 1 Billion Plays on Spotify |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7625179/drake-one-dance-spotify-first-1-billion-plays |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=19 December 2016 |archive-date=24 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224025543/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7625179/drake-one-dance-spotify-first-1-billion-plays |url-status=live }}</ref> Upon its release in August 2017, the single "[[Look What You Made Me Do]]" by [[Taylor Swift]] earned over eight million streams within 24 hours, breaking the record for the most single-day streams for a track.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 August 2017 |title=Taylor Swift sets records for Spotify streams and platforms, YouTube views |url=https://www.apnews.com/54b87ebc88bd4565bd3bb1622970e6d9 |access-date=7 September 2017 |work=[[Associated Press News]] |archive-date=10 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910083152/https://www.apnews.com/54b87ebc88bd4565bd3bb1622970e6d9 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 19 June 2018, [[XXXTentacion]]'s hit single "[[Sad!]]" broke Swift's single-day streaming record, amassing 10.4&nbsp;million streams the day after he was [[Killing of XXXTentacion|fatally shot]] in Florida.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=XXXTentacion Breaks Taylor Swift's Single-Day Streaming Record on Spotify |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8461986/xxxtentacion-spotify-streaming-record-day-taylor-swift |magazine=Billboard |access-date=14 January 2020 |archive-date=21 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621023757/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8461986/xxxtentacion-spotify-streaming-record-day-taylor-swift |url-status=live }}</ref>
==== User growth ====
In March 2011, Spotify announced a customer base of 1 million paying subscribers across Europe,<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 March 2011 |title=Spotify hits milestone with 1 million subscribers |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-12676327 |access-date=7 November 2016 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC |archive-date=9 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109043226/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-12676327 |url-status=live }}</ref> and by September 2011, the number of paying subscribers had doubled to two million.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Van Grove |first=Jennifer |date=21 September 2011 |title=Spotify Surpasses 2 Million Paying Subscribers |url=http://mashable.com/2011/09/21/spotify-2-million-subscribers/ |access-date=7 November 2016 |website=[[Mashable]] |archive-date=1 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701075841/https://mashable.com/2011/09/21/spotify-2-million-subscribers/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In August 2012, ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' reported 15 million active users, four million being paying Spotify subscribers.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Sanburn |first=Josh |date=16 August 2012 |title=Spotify is Growing&nbsp;— But Why Isn't It Growing Faster? |url=https://business.time.com/2012/08/16/spotify-is-growing-but-the-idea-of-music-ownership-is-holding-it-back/ |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |access-date=7 November 2016 |archive-date=6 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206123951/http://business.time.com/2012/08/16/spotify-is-growing-but-the-idea-of-music-ownership-is-holding-it-back/ |url-status=live }}</ref> User growth continued, reaching 20 million total active users, including five million paying customers globally and one million paying customers in the United States, in December 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Weber |first=Harrison |date=6 December 2012 |title=Spotify announces 5M+ paid subscribers globally, 1M paid in US, 20M total active users, 1B playlists |url=https://thenextweb.com/insider/2012/12/06/spotify-announces/ |access-date=7 November 2016 |website=The Next Web |archive-date=30 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630012414/https://thenextweb.com/insider/2012/12/06/spotify-announces/ |url-status=live }}</ref> By March 2013, the service had 24 million active users, six million being paying subscribers,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sloan |first=Paul |date=29 May 2014 |title=Spotify: Growing like mad, yet so far to go |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/spotify-growing-like-mad-yet-so-far-to-go/ |access-date=7 November 2016 |publisher=[[CNET]] |archive-date=2 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402104036/https://www.cnet.com/news/spotify-growing-like-mad-yet-so-far-to-go/ |url-status=live }}</ref> which grew to 40 million users (including ten million paying) in May 2014,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brustein |first=Joshua |date=22 May 2014 |title=Spotify Hits 10 Million Paid Users. Now Can It Make Money? |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-05-21/why-spotify-and-the-streaming-music-industry-cant-make-money |access-date=7 November 2016 |publisher=[[Bloomberg L.P.]] |archive-date=2 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402102451/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-05-21/why-spotify-and-the-streaming-music-industry-cant-make-money |url-status=live }}</ref> 60 million users (including 15&nbsp;million paying) in December 2014, 75&nbsp;million users (20&nbsp;million paying) in June 2015, 30&nbsp;million paying subscribers in March 2016,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singleton |first=Micah |date=21 March 2016 |title=Spotify hits 30 million subscribers |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/3/21/11220398/spotify-hits-30-million-subscribers |access-date=7 November 2016 |website=[[The Verge]]  |archive-date=26 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726125831/https://www.theverge.com/2016/3/21/11220398/spotify-hits-30-million-subscribers |url-status=live }}</ref> 40 million paying subscribers in September 2016,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kahn |first=Jordan |date=14 September 2016 |title=Spotify hits 40 million paid subscriber milestone, outpacing Apple Music's growth |url=https://9to5mac.com/2016/09/14/spotify-40-million-subscribers/ |access-date=7 November 2016 |website=9to5Mac |archive-date=7 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190907014354/https://9to5mac.com/2016/09/14/spotify-40-million-subscribers/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and 100 million total users in June 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murgia |first=Madhumita |date=20 June 2016 |title=Spotify crosses 100&nbsp;m users |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2016/06/20/spotify-crosses-100m-users/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2016/06/20/spotify-crosses-100m-users/ |archive-date=10 January 2022 |access-date=7 November 2016 |website=[[The Daily Telegraph]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In April 2020, Spotify reached 133 million premium users.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=29 April 2020 |title=Spotify Gains 6 Million Paid Subscribers in Q1 as COVID-19 Disrupts Listening Patterns |url=https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/spotify-q1-2020-gains-6-million-subscribers-coronavirus-1234592814/ |access-date=31 May 2020 |website=Variety |archive-date=27 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527232703/https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/spotify-q1-2020-gains-6-million-subscribers-coronavirus-1234592814/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In countries affected by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Spotify registered a fall in users in late February, but it has seen a recovery.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 April 2020 |title=Spotify's subscribers, usage surge amid coronavirus outbreak |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/29/spotify-spot-earnings-q1-2020.html |access-date=30 April 2020 |publisher=CNBC |archive-date=29 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200429210254/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/29/spotify-spot-earnings-q1-2020.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2022, Spotify had 182 million premium subscribers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spotify Q1 2022 financials reveal 182m subscribers and 422m active users&nbsp;– Music Ally |date=27 April 2022 |url=https://musically.com/2022/04/27/spotify-q1-2022-financials/ |access-date=27 July 2022 |archive-date=27 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220427102054/https://musically.com/2022/04/27/spotify-q1-2022-financials/ |url-status=live }}</ref> At the end of Q2 2022, Spotify reported 188 million paying subscribers and 433&nbsp;million total users.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Jon |date=27 July 2022 |title=Spotify's subscribers rise to 188M amid podcasting setbacks |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/7/27/23280283/spotify-q2-2022-earnings-podcasting-audiobooks |access-date=27 July 2022 |website=The Verge |language=en |archive-date=27 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727103619/https://www.theverge.com/2022/7/27/23280283/spotify-q2-2022-earnings-podcasting-audiobooks |url-status=live }}</ref> At the end of Q3 2024, Spotify reported 252 million subscribers and 640 million monthly active users.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stacy.Goldrick@groupsjr.com |date=2024-11-12 |title=Spotify Reports Third Quarter 2024 Earnings |url=https://newsroom.spotify.com/2024-11-12/spotify-reports-third-quarter-2024-earnings/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=Spotify |language=en-US}}</ref>
==== Premium-exclusive albums ====
The ''[[Financial Times]]'' reported in March 2017 that, as part of its efforts to renegotiate new licensing deals with music labels, Spotify and major record labels had agreed that Spotify would restrict some newly released albums to its Premium tier, with Spotify receiving a reduction in royalty fees to do so. Select albums would be available only on the Premium tier for a period of time, before general release. The deal "may be months away from being finalized, but Spotify is said to have cleared this particular clause with major record labels".<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Statt |first1=Nick |last2=Singleton |first2=Micah |date=16 March 2017 |title=Spotify will restrict some albums to its paid tier |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/3/16/14950492/spotify-premium-free-tier-restricting-album-releases-ipo |access-date=17 March 2017 |website=[[The Verge]]  |archive-date=16 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316225238/http://www.theverge.com/2017/3/16/14950492/spotify-premium-free-tier-restricting-album-releases-ipo |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilhelm |first=Parker |date=16 March 2017 |title=Spotify may soon require a Premium account to listen to certain albums |url=http://www.techradar.com/news/spotify-may-soon-require-a-premium-account-to-listen-to-certain-albums |access-date=17 March 2017 |website=[[TechRadar]] |archive-date=17 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317033320/http://www.techradar.com/news/spotify-may-soon-require-a-premium-account-to-listen-to-certain-albums |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Summers |first=Nick |date=16 March 2017 |title=Spotify might delay album releases for 'free' users |url=https://www.engadget.com/2017/03/16/spotify-might-delay-album-releases-for-free-users/ |access-date=17 March 2017 |website=[[Engadget]] |publisher=AOL |archive-date=17 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317000759/https://www.engadget.com/2017/03/16/spotify-might-delay-album-releases-for-free-users/ |url-status=live }}</ref> New reports in April confirmed that Spotify and [[Universal Music Group]] had reached an agreement to allow artists part of Universal to limit their new album releases to the Premium service tier for a maximum of two weeks. Spotify CEO Daniel Ek commented that "We know that not every album by every artist should be released the same way, and we've worked hard with UMG to develop a new, flexible release policy. Starting today, Universal artists can choose to release new albums on premium only for two weeks, offering subscribers an earlier chance to explore the complete creative work, while the singles are available across Spotify for all our listeners to enjoy".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singleton |first=Micah |date=4 April 2017 |title=Spotify Premium users will get some albums two weeks before free users |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/4/4/15177004/spotify-premium-two-week-exclusive-albums-licensing-universal-music-group |access-date=5 April 2017 |website=[[The Verge]]  |archive-date=4 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404234938/http://www.theverge.com/2017/4/4/15177004/spotify-premium-two-week-exclusive-albums-licensing-universal-music-group |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Titcomb |first=James |date=4 April 2017 |title=Spotify to restrict albums to paying subscribers for first time |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2017/04/04/spotify-restrict-albums-paying-subscribers-first-time/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2017/04/04/spotify-restrict-albums-paying-subscribers-first-time/ |archive-date=10 January 2022 |access-date=5 April 2017 |website=[[The Daily Telegraph]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hern |first=Alex |date=4 April 2017 |title=Spotify to host top stars' albums for premium subscribers only |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/apr/04/spotify-universal-albums-premium-subscribers-only |access-date=5 April 2017 |website=[[The Guardian]] |archive-date=4 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404203828/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/apr/04/spotify-universal-albums-premium-subscribers-only |url-status=live }}</ref> It was announced later in April that this type of agreement would be extended to [[Indie music scene|indie]] artists signed to the [[Merlin Network]] agency.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Schneider |first=Marc |date=20 April 2017 |title=Following Universal Deal, Spotify Locks Down Indies in Long-Term Licensing Pact With Merlin |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/7767810/spotify-merlin-licensing-agreement-indies |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=20 April 2017 |archive-date=21 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421065905/http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/7767810/spotify-merlin-licensing-agreement-indies |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ingraham |first=Nathan |date=20 April 2017 |title=Spotify lets thousands of indie labels limit free streaming |url=https://www.engadget.com/2017/04/20/spotify-merlin-records-limited-free-streaming/ |access-date=20 April 2017 |website=[[Engadget]] |publisher=AOL |archive-date=20 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420184327/https://www.engadget.com/2017/04/20/Spotify-Merlin-records-limited-free-streaming/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==== Direct public offering ====
Spotify went public on the [[stock market]] in April 2018 using a [[direct public offering]] rather than an [[initial public offering]]. This approach is not intended to raise fresh capital, but to let investors get their returns.<ref name="Spotify 23bn">{{Cite news |date=1 March 2018 |title=Is Spotify really worth $23bn? |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-43235317 |access-date=1 March 2018 |archive-date=28 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228231416/http://www.bbc.com/news/business-43235317 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Spotify files to go public as it discloses subscriber growth and heavy losses |work=The Verge |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/28/16846064/spotify-ipo-public-offering-announced-music-streaming |access-date=1 March 2018 |archive-date=28 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228225025/https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/28/16846064/spotify-ipo-public-offering-announced-music-streaming |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Castillo |first=Michelle |date=28 February 2018 |title=Spotify files to go public, lost $1.5 billion last year |publisher=CNBC |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/28/spotify-files-for-ipo.html |access-date=1 March 2018 |archive-date=28 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228225209/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/28/spotify-files-for-ipo.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Morgan Stanley]] is the company's slated advisor on the matter.<ref name=":1" />
After making its debut on the New York Stock Exchange on 3 April 2018, [[CNBC]] reported that Spotify opened at $165.90, more than 25% above its reference price of $132.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Salinas |first=Sara |date=3 April 2018 |title=Spotify loses some of its initial heat as it drops from its opening price of $165.90 |publisher=CNBC |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/03/spotify-spot-ipo-stock-starts-trading-on-the-nyse.html |access-date=3 April 2018 |archive-date=3 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403183600/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/03/spotify-spot-ipo-stock-starts-trading-on-the-nyse.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
==== 2020 hacking incident ====
On 3 July 2020, [[Computer security|cybersecurity]] firm VPNMentor discovered a database containing 380 million individual records, including the logins and passwords of Spotify users.<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 November 2020 |title=Report: Spotify Targeted in Potential Fraud Scheme |work=vpnMentor |url=https://www.vpnmentor.com/blog/report-spotify-scam/ |access-date=2 December 2020 |archive-date=1 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201170130/https://www.vpnmentor.com/blog/report-spotify-scam/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The database was thought to be evidence of an impending [[credential stuffing]] [[cyberattack]] targeting Spotify<ref>{{Cite news |last=Moore |first=Mike |date=24 November 2020 |title=Thousands of Spotify accounts hacked&nbsp;– here's what you need to know |work=TechRadar |url=https://www.techradar.com/news/thousands-of-spotify-accounts-hacked-heres-what-you-need-to-know |access-date=2 December 2020 |archive-date=29 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129130639/https://www.techradar.com/news/thousands-of-spotify-accounts-hacked-heres-what-you-need-to-know |url-status=live }}</ref> as it contained the credentials of up to 350,000 compromised user accounts.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Owaida |first=Amer |date=24 November 2020 |title=Up to 350,000 Spotify accounts hacked in credential stuffing attacks |work=WeLiveSecurity |url=https://www.welivesecurity.com/2020/11/24/350000-spotify-accounts-hacked-credential-stuffing-attacks/ |access-date=2 December 2020 |archive-date=3 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203002535/https://www.welivesecurity.com/2020/11/24/350000-spotify-accounts-hacked-credential-stuffing-attacks/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In response to the attack, Spotify issued a rolling reset of passwords for affected accounts in November 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Woodard |first=Nick |date=26 November 2020 |title=300,000 Spotify Accounts Reportedly Hacked |work=ScreenRant |url=https://screenrant.com/spotify-accounts-data-stolen-major-hack-explained/ |access-date=2 December 2020 |archive-date=29 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129160849/https://screenrant.com/spotify-accounts-data-stolen-major-hack-explained/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==== Acquisitions, podcasting and exclusivity deals ====
In May 2013, Spotify acquired music discovery app Tunigo.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 May 2013 |title=Spotify Acquires Music Discovery App Tunigo, A Spotify-Powered Songza Competitor |url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/05/03/spotify-acquires-music-discovery-app-tunigo-a-spotify-powered-songza-competitor/ }}</ref> In March 2014, they acquired [[The Echo Nest]], a music intelligence company.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Etherington |first=Darrell |date=6 March 2014 |title=Spotify Acquires The Echo Nest, Gaining Control Of The Music DNA Company That Powers Its Rivals |url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/03/06/spotify-acquires-the-echo-nest/ |access-date=13 November 2016 |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |archive-date=13 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161113175717/https://techcrunch.com/2014/03/06/spotify-acquires-the-echo-nest/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=10 May 2015 |title=Turns Out Spotify Acquired The Echo Nest For Just €50M |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-acquired-echo-nest-just-e50m/ |access-date=14 July 2020 |archive-date=6 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606075145/https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-acquired-echo-nest-just-e50m/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2015, Spotify announced they had acquired Seed Scientific, a data science consulting firm and [[analytics]] company. In a comment to [[TechCrunch]], Spotify said that Seed Scientific's team would lead an advanced analytics unit within the company, focused on developing data services.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Constine |first=Josh |date=24 June 2015 |title=Spotify Buys Beats' Analytics Provider Seed Scientific |url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/06/24/pulling-the-data-rug-out-from-under-apple/ |access-date=11 December 2016 |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=AOL |archive-date=20 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220103334/https://techcrunch.com/2015/06/24/pulling-the-data-rug-out-from-under-apple/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Vanian |first=Jonathan |date=24 June 2015 |title=Why Spotify just bought a data science startup |url=http://fortune.com/2015/06/24/spotify-data-acquisition/ |access-date=11 December 2016 |website=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]] . |archive-date=6 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206124339/http://fortune.com/2015/06/24/spotify-data-acquisition/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2016, they acquired social and messaging startups Cord Project and Soundwave,<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 January 2016 |title=Spotify Buys Cord Project And Soundwave To Expand Messaging And Social Features |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/01/20/spotify-buys-cord-project-and-soundwave/ }}</ref> followed in April 2016 by CrowdAlbum, a "startup that collects photos and videos of performances shared on social networks," and would "enhance the development of products that help artists understand, activate, and monetize their audiences".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goldman |first=Joshua |date=27 April 2016 |title=Spotify snaps up photo-video aggregator for concertgoers |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/spotify-snaps-up-crowdalbum-photo-and-video-aggregator-for-concertgoers/ |access-date=4 February 2017 |publisher=CNET |archive-date=6 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206124025/https://www.cnet.com/news/spotify-snaps-up-crowdalbum-photo-and-video-aggregator-for-concertgoers/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In November 2016, Spotify acquired Preact, a "cloud-based platform and service developed for companies that operate on subscription models which helps reduce churn and build up their subscriber numbers".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 November 2016 |title=Spotify acquires Preact to fuel its subscription business |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/11/02/spotify-acquires-preact-to-boost-its-subscriber-story/ |access-date=15 September 2020 |publisher=Techcrunch |archive-date=29 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929080822/https://techcrunch.com/2016/11/02/spotify-acquires-preact-to-boost-its-subscriber-story/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In March 2017, Spotify acquired Sonalytic, an audio detection startup, for an undisclosed amount of money. Spotify stated that Sonalytic would be used to improve the company's personalized playlists, better match songs with compositions, and improve the company's publishing data system.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Perez |first=Sarah |date=7 March 2017 |title=Spotify acquires audio detection startup Sonalytic |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/03/07/spotify-acquires-audio-detection-startup-sonalytic/ |access-date=15 March 2017 |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=AOL |archive-date=15 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315174434/https://techcrunch.com/2017/03/07/spotify-acquires-audio-detection-startup-sonalytic/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Later that month, Spotify also acquired MightyTV, an app connected to television streaming services, including [[Netflix]] and [[HBO Go]], that recommends content to users. Spotify intended to use MightyTV to improve its advertising efforts on the free tier of service.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ingham |first=Tim |date=27 March 2017 |title=Spotify acquires MightyTV. Can its founder fix Daniel Ek's advertising woes? |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-acquires-mightytv-can-its-founder-fix-daniel-eks-advertising-woes/ |access-date=5 May 2017 |website=Music Business Worldwide |archive-date=30 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330181345/http://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-acquires-mightytv-can-its-founder-fix-daniel-eks-advertising-woes/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In April 2017, they acquired Mediachain, a [[blockchain]] startup that had been developing a [[Decentralized computing|decentralized database]] system for managing attribution, and other [[metadata]] for media.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Perez |first=Sarah |date=26 April 2017 |title=Spotify acquires blockchain startup Mediachain to solve music's attribution problem |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/04/26/spotify-acquires-blockchain-startup-mediachain-to-solve-musics-attribution-problem/ |access-date=27 April 2017 |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=AOL |archive-date=27 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427025019/https://techcrunch.com/2017/04/26/spotify-acquires-blockchain-startup-mediachain-to-solve-musics-attribution-problem/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=LeFebvre |first=Rob |date=26 April 2017 |title=Spotify's latest move shows it's trying to get royalties right |url=https://www.engadget.com/2017/04/26/spotify-acquisition-royalties/ |access-date=27 April 2017 |website=[[Engadget]] |publisher=AOL |archive-date=27 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427013541/https://www.engadget.com/2017/04/26/spotify-acquisition-royalties/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This was followed in May 2017 with the acquisition of [[artificial intelligence]] startup Niland, which uses technology to improve personalisation and recommendation features for users.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Jon |date=18 May 2017 |title=Spotify buys AI startup Niland to develop its music personalization and recommendations |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/05/18/spotify-buys-ai-startup-niland/ |access-date=20 May 2017 |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=AOL |archive-date=20 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170520051416/https://techcrunch.com/2017/05/18/spotify-buys-ai-startup-niland/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Novet |first=Jordan |date=18 May 2017 |title=Spotify just bought an AI startup to help it stay ahead of Apple Music |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/05/18/spotify-buys-niland-french-ai-music-startup.html |access-date=20 May 2017 |publisher=CNBC |archive-date=19 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519064449/http://www.cnbc.com/2017/05/18/spotify-buys-niland-french-ai-music-startup.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In November 2017, Spotify acquired [[Soundtrap]], an online music studio startup.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Perez |first1=Sarah |last2=Lunden |first2=Ingrid |date=17 November 2017 |title=Spotify acquires online music studio Soundtrap as it goes after creators |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/11/17/spotify-acquires-online-music-studio-soundtrap/ |access-date=7 December 2017 |website=TechCrunch |publisher=[[Oath Inc.]] |archive-date=22 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922085409/https://techcrunch.com/2017/11/17/spotify-acquires-online-music-studio-soundtrap/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Krishna |first=Swapna |date=17 November 2017 |title=Spotify acquires Soundtrap, an online music recording studio |url=https://www.engadget.com/2017/11/17/spotify-acquires-soundtrap-music-production-studio/ |access-date=7 December 2017 |website=Engadget |publisher=Oath Inc. |archive-date=8 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208003735/https://www.engadget.com/2017/11/17/spotify-acquires-soundtrap-music-production-studio/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
On 12 April 2018, Spotify acquired the music licensing platform Loudr.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Perez |first=Sarah |date=12 April 2018 |title=Spotify acquires music licensing platform Loudr |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/04/12/spotify-acquires-music-licensing-platform-loudr/ |access-date=13 April 2018 |website=techcrunch.com |archive-date=12 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412232711/https://techcrunch.com/2018/04/12/spotify-acquires-music-licensing-platform-loudr/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In August 2018, Spotify bought the exclusive rights to ''[[The Joe Budden Podcast]]'' and expanded the show to a twice-weekly schedule.<ref name="spotify-08-18">{{Cite web |date=22 August 2018 |title='The Joe Budden Podcast' Lands Exclusive Partnership with Spotify |url=https://newsroom.spotify.com/2018-08-22/the-joe-budden-podcast-lands-exclusive-partnership-with-spotify |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604210722/http://newsroom.spotify.com/2018-08-22/the-joe-budden-podcast-lands-exclusive-partnership-with-spotify/ |archive-date=4 June 2019 |access-date=29 June 2019 |website=Spotify Newsroom}}</ref> On 6 February 2019, Spotify acquired the podcast networks [[Gimlet Media]] and Anchor FM Inc., with the goal of establishing themselves as a leading figure in podcasting.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kafka |first=Peter |date=6 February 2019 |title=Spotify has bought two podcast startups and it wants to buy more |work=Recode |url=https://www.recode.net/2019/2/6/18213456/spotify-podcast-gimlet-anchor-q4-results |access-date=7 February 2019 |archive-date=6 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190206144707/https://www.recode.net/2019/2/6/18213456/spotify-podcast-gimlet-anchor-q4-results |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Warren |first=Tom |date=6 February 2019 |title=Spotify gets serious about podcasts with two acquisitions |work=The Verge |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/6/18213462/spotify-podcasts-gimlet-anchor-acquisition |access-date=7 February 2019 |archive-date=7 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207020212/https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/6/18213462/spotify-podcasts-gimlet-anchor-acquisition |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Jon |date=6 February 2019 |title=Spotify buys Gimlet and Anchor in podcast push, earmarks $500M for more deals |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/02/06/spotify-doubles-down-on-podcasts/ |access-date=6 February 2019 |website=TechCrunch }}</ref> On 26 March 2019, Spotify announced they would acquire another podcast network, [[Parcast]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 March 2019 |title=Spotify acquires another podcast network to keep building its original show catalog |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/3/26/18282301/spotify-podcasts-parcast-acquisition-gimlet-media-anchor |website=The Verge |access-date=27 March 2019 |archive-date=27 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327172436/https://www.theverge.com/2019/3/26/18282301/spotify-podcasts-parcast-acquisition-gimlet-media-anchor |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=26 March 2019 |title=Spotify acquires true crime studio Parcast to expand its original podcast content |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/03/26/spotify-acquires-true-crime-studio-parcast-to-expand-its-original-podcast-content/ |access-date=2 January 2020 |website=TechCrunch |archive-date=18 April 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418200741/https://techcrunch.com/2019/03/26/spotify-acquires-true-crime-studio-parcast-to-expand-its-original-podcast-content/ }}</ref> On 12 September 2019, Spotify acquired SoundBetter, a music production marketplace for people in the music industry to collaborate on projects, and distribute music tracks for licensing.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 September 2019 |title=Spotify acquires SoundBetter, a music production marketplace, for an undisclosed sum |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/09/12/spotify-acquires-soundbetter-an-online-marketplace-for-sound-engineers-and-producers/ |access-date=12 September 2019 |website=TechCrunch }}</ref> On 19 November 2019, Spotify announced the acquisition of the exclusive rights to ''[[The Last Podcast on the Left]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 November 2019 |title='Last Podcast on the Left' Moving Exclusively to Spotify |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/last-podcast-left-moving-exclusively-spotify-1256236 |access-date=20 November 2019 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en |archive-date=20 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191120072845/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/last-podcast-left-moving-exclusively-spotify-1256236 |url-status=live }}</ref>
On 5 February 2020, Spotify announced its intent to acquire [[Bill Simmons]]' sports and pop culture blog and podcast network [[The Ringer (website)|The Ringer]] for an undisclosed amount. On 19 May 2020, Spotify acquired exclusive rights to stream the popular podcast ''[[The Joe Rogan Experience]]'' beginning in September of that year, under an agreement valued at around US$100&nbsp;million ({{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=100000000|start_year=2020|r=-5|fmt=eq}}).<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Robertson |first1=Katie |last2=Scheiber |first2=Noam |date=5 February 2020 |title=Spotify Is Buying The Ringer |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/05/business/media/spotify-the-ringer-bill-simmons.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=5 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205141009/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/05/business/media/spotify-the-ringer-bill-simmons.html |archive-date=5 February 2020 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=5 February 2020 |title=Spotify is buying The Ringer to boost its sports podcast content |url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/02/05/spotify-is-buying-the-ringer-to-boost-its-sports-podcast-content/ |access-date=5 February 2020 |website=TechCrunch |archive-date=5 February 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205171110/http://social.techcrunch.com/2020/02/05/spotify-is-buying-the-ringer-to-boost-its-sports-podcast-content/ }}</ref><ref name="Spangler">{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=19 May 2020 |title=Joe Rogan Will Bring His Podcast Exclusively to Spotify |url=https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/joe-rogan-experience-spotify-podcast-exclusive-1234610885/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519204108/https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/joe-rogan-experience-spotify-podcast-exclusive-1234610885/ |archive-date=19 May 2020 |access-date=19 May 2020 |website=Variety}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Flegenheimer |first=Matt |date=1 July 2021 |title=Joe Rogan Is Too Big to Cancel |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/01/business/joe-rogan.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=29 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701150506/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/01/business/joe-rogan.html |archive-date=1 July 2021 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
In November 2020, Spotify announced plans to acquire [[Megaphone (podcasting)|Megaphone]] from [[The Slate Group]] for {{USD|235 million}}.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carman |first=Ashley |date=10 November 2020 |title=Spotify is acquiring podcast hosting company Megaphone for $235 million |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/11/10/21557458/spotify-megaphone-podcast-streaming-ad-insertion |access-date=10 November 2020 |website=[[The Verge]] |archive-date=10 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110140132/https://www.theverge.com/2020/11/10/21557458/spotify-megaphone-podcast-streaming-ad-insertion |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2021, Spotify acquired app developer Betty Labs and their live social audio app, Locker Room,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fischer |first=Sara |date=31 March 2021 |title=Spotify enters live social audio with acquisition of Locker Room |url=https://www.axios.com/spotify-betty-labs-locker-room-52550d15-3c05-48ed-b924-a9404c31901b.html |access-date=5 April 2021 |website=Axios |language=en |archive-date=1 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401182256/https://www.axios.com/spotify-betty-labs-locker-room-52550d15-3c05-48ed-b924-a9404c31901b.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 12 May 2021. ''[[Armchair Expert]]'' announced on [[Instagram]] that the podcast would be available exclusively on Spotify beginning 1 July, saying they would continue to maintain the same creative control over the show after the move.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=12 May 2021 |title=Dax Shepard Is Moving His Podcast Exclusively to Spotify This Summer |url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/dax-shepard-podcast-spotify-1234971432/ |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=20 December 2022 |archive-date=20 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221220060610/https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/dax-shepard-podcast-spotify-1234971432/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=ArmchairExpPod |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/COyIAl1p4pY/ |url-access=registration |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/armchairexppod/2572153562182683224 |archive-date=25 December 2021 |access-date=14 May 2021 |website=Instagram}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Locker Room was rebranded in June 2021 as [[Spotify Greenroom]], and turned into a [[Clubhouse (app)|Clubhouse]] competitor.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 June 2021 |title=Spotify launches its live audio app and Clubhouse rival, Spotify Greenroom |url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/06/16/spotify-launches-its-live-audio-app-and-clubhouse-rival-spotify-greenroom/ }}</ref> The same month, Spotify acquired Podz, a podcast discovery startup.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 June 2021 |title=Spotify acquires Podz, a podcast discovery platform |url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/06/17/spotify-acquires-podz-a-podcast-discovery-app/ |access-date=18 June 2021 |archive-date=18 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618221837/https://techcrunch.com/2021/06/17/spotify-acquires-podz-a-podcast-discovery-app/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Also the same month, Spotify bought the exclusive rights to the ''[[Call Her Daddy]]'' podcast.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=15 June 2021 |title=Spotify Clinches $60M-Plus Deal With Alex Cooper for 'Call Her Daddy' Podcast, Yanking It Away From Barstool |url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/spotify-call-her-daddy-alex-cooper-exclusive-1234996840/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618153312/https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/spotify-call-her-daddy-alex-cooper-exclusive-1234996840/ |archive-date=18 June 2021 |access-date=18 June 2021 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> In November 2021, Spotify acquired audiobook company Findaway, including its publishing imprint OrangeSky Audio.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 November 2021 |title=Spotify Acquires Audiobook Company Findaway |url=https://www.androidheadlines.com/2021/11/spotify-acquires-audiobook-company.html |access-date=21 December 2021 |website=Android Headlines |language=en-US |archive-date=21 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221021059/https://www.androidheadlines.com/2021/11/spotify-acquires-audiobook-company.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2021, Spotify acquired Whooshkaa, a podcast tech company that develops specialized technology that allows radio broadcasters to easily turn their existing audio content into on-demand podcast programming.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 December 2021 |title=Spotify acquires podcast tech company Whooshkaa which turns radio broadcasts into on-demand audio |url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/12/16/spotify-acquires-podcast-tech-company-whooshkaa-which-turns-radio-broadcasts-into-on-demand-audio/ |access-date=26 July 2022 |archive-date=26 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726071125/https://techcrunch.com/2021/12/16/spotify-acquires-podcast-tech-company-whooshkaa-which-turns-radio-broadcasts-into-on-demand-audio/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In February 2022, Spotify acquired Chartable and Podsights. Both are podcast advertising companies.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carman |first=Ashley |date=16 February 2022 |title=Spotify is acquiring two major podcast tech platforms |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/2/16/22937826/spotify-podsights-chartable-acquisitions-podcast-marketing-platforms |access-date=22 March 2022 |website=The Verge |language=en |archive-date=22 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322110803/https://www.theverge.com/2022/2/16/22937826/spotify-podsights-chartable-acquisitions-podcast-marketing-platforms |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2022, Spotify Greenroom rebranded as Spotify Live,<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 March 2022 |title=Spotify rebranding its live social audio app |url=https://adage.com/article/marketing-news-strategy/spotify-rebranding-its-live-social-audio-app/2407731 |access-date=23 March 2022 |website=Advertising Age |language=en |archive-date=23 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323211644/https://adage.com/article/marketing-news-strategy/spotify-rebranding-its-live-social-audio-app/2407731 |url-status=live }}</ref> which was subsequently planned to be shut down in April 2023.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Chan |first=J. Clara |date=3 April 2023 |title=Spotify Shutters Live Audio App |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/spotify-live-shutters-1235366519/ |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |access-date=4 April 2023 |archive-date=5 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005000958/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/spotify-live-shutters-1235366519/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2022, Spotify acquired Sonantic, a synthetic voice and video developer.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 June 2022 |title=Spotify Acquires Synthetic Voice Startup Sonantic |url=https://voicebot.ai/2022/06/13/spotify-acquires-synthetic-voice-startup-sonantic/ |access-date=26 July 2022 |archive-date=26 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726071715/https://voicebot.ai/2022/06/13/spotify-acquires-synthetic-voice-startup-sonantic/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2022, Spotify acquired [[Heardle]], a [[Wordle]]-inspired music trivia game, for an undisclosed amount;<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 July 2022 |title=Spotify acquired Heardle, the Wordle-like music game |url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/07/12/spotify-acquired-heardle-wordle-music-game/ |access-date=15 July 2022 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Shapiro |first=Ariel |date=12 July 2022 |title=Spotify acquires music trivia game Heardle |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/7/12/23205078/spotify-heardle-acquisition-music-discovery-wordle-game |access-date=15 July 2022 |website=The Verge |language=en |archive-date=14 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714201622/https://www.theverge.com/2022/7/12/23205078/spotify-heardle-acquisition-music-discovery-wordle-game |url-status=live }}</ref> Heardle was shut down in May 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Christina |date=14 April 2023 |title=Farewell Heardle: Spotify Killing Its Version of Wordle Less Than a Year After Acquisition |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/farewell-heardle-spotify-killing-its-version-of-wordle-less-than-a-year-after-acquisition |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=17 April 2023 |archive-date=17 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417074310/https://www.ign.com/articles/farewell-heardle-spotify-killing-its-version-of-wordle-less-than-a-year-after-acquisition |url-status=live }}</ref> In October 2022, Spotify acquired the [[Dublin]]-based content moderation startup, Kinzen.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 October 2022 |title=Spotify acquires Dublin-based content moderation startup Kinzen |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-acquires-dublin-based-content-moderation-startup-kinzen/ |access-date=6 October 2022 |website=Music Business Worldwide |language=en-US |archive-date=6 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006123341/https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-acquires-dublin-based-content-moderation-startup-kinzen/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2023, Spotify merged Anchor into their Spotify for Podcasters tool, a rebranding move and to organize its tools for creating, managing, growing, and monetizing their content in one place.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |last=Perez |first=Sarah |date=8 March 2023 |title=Spotify is revamping its podcaster tools, including Anchor, and is partnering with Patreon |url=https://techcrunch.com/2023/03/08/spotify-is-revamping-its-podcaster-tools-including-anchor-and-is-partnering-with-patreon/ |access-date=10 March 2023 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US |archive-date=10 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230310122306/https://techcrunch.com/2023/03/08/spotify-is-revamping-its-podcaster-tools-including-anchor-and-is-partnering-with-patreon/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==== Company partnerships ====
In January 2015, [[Sony]] announced PlayStation Music, a new music service with Spotify as its exclusive partner. PlayStation Music incorporates the Spotify service into Sony's [[PlayStation 3]] and [[PlayStation 4]] gaming consoles, and [[Sony Xperia]] mobile devices. The service launched on 30 March 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lempel |first=Eric |date=30 March 2015 |title=Spotify Launches on PlayStation Music Today |url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2015/03/30/spotify-launches-on-playstation-music-today/ |access-date=13 November 2016 |publisher=Sony |archive-date=6 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206124233/http://blog.us.playstation.com/2015/03/30/spotify-launches-on-playstation-music-today/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2017, Spotify announced a partnership with the [[South by Southwest]] (SXSW) conference for 2017, presenting specific content in special playlists through an SXSW hub in Spotify's apps. The integration also enabled Spotify within the SXSW GO app to help users discover and explore artists performing at the conference. Two more partnerships were announced in March; one with [[WNYC Studios]], and one with [[Waze]]. The WNYC Studios partnership brought various podcasts from WNYC to Spotify, including ''[[Note to Self]]'', ''[[On the Media]]'' and ''[[Here's the Thing]]''. Spotify also announced that the third season of WNYC Studios' [[2 Dope Queens]] podcast would premiere with a two-week exclusivity period on the service on 21 March 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossignol |first=Derrick |date=13 March 2017 |title=Spotify lands '2 Dope Queens' and other hit WNYC podcasts |url=https://www.engadget.com/2017/03/13/spotify-lands-2-dope-queens-and-other-hit-wnyc-podcasts/ |access-date=15 March 2017 |website=[[Engadget]] |publisher=AOL |archive-date=14 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314114825/https://www.engadget.com/2017/03/13/spotify-lands-2-dope-queens-and-other-hit-wnyc-podcasts/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Waze partnership allows Waze app users to view directions to destinations within the Spotify app and access their Spotify playlists through the Waze app.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nieva |first=Richard |date=14 March 2017 |title=Spotify gives you driving directions through Waze |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/spotify-waze-driving-directions-playlist-integrations/ |access-date=15 March 2017 |publisher=[[CNET]] |archive-date=14 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314195324/https://www.cnet.com/news/spotify-waze-driving-directions-playlist-integrations/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In October 2017, [[Microsoft]] announced that it would be ending its [[Groove Music]] streaming service by December, with all music from users transferring to Spotify as part of a new partnership.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Warren |first=Tom |date=2 October 2017 |title=Microsoft retires Groove Music service, partners with Spotify |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/10/2/16401898/microsoft-groove-music-pass-discontinued-spotify-partner |access-date=7 December 2017 |website=[[The Verge]]  |archive-date=4 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004225603/https://www.theverge.com/2017/10/2/16401898/microsoft-groove-music-pass-discontinued-spotify-partner |url-status=live }}</ref> In December, Spotify and [[Tencent]]'s music arm, Tencent Music Entertainment (TME), agreed to swap stakes and make an investment in each other's music businesses.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Jon |date=8 December 2017 |title=Spotify and Tencent agree to swap stakes in their music businesses |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/12/08/spotify-tencent-share-swap/ |access-date=8 December 2017 |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[Oath Inc.]] |archive-date=9 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209025013/https://techcrunch.com/2017/12/08/spotify-tencent-share-swap/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sawers |first=Paul |date=8 December 2017 |title=Spotify and China's Tencent invest in each other as part of 'strategic collaboration' |url=https://venturebeat.com/2017/12/08/spotify-and-chinas-tencent-invest-in-each-other-as-part-of-strategic-collaboration/ |access-date=8 December 2017 |website=[[VentureBeat]] |archive-date=9 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209032410/https://venturebeat.com/2017/12/08/spotify-and-chinas-tencent-invest-in-each-other-as-part-of-strategic-collaboration/ |url-status=live }}</ref> As a result of this transaction, Spotify gained a 9% stake in TME with TME gaining a 7.5% stake in Spotify.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 2018 |title=Tencent Music, Spotify's strategic partner in China, is valued at over $12B&nbsp;– TechCrunch |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/02/28/tencent-music-spotify/ |access-date=3 June 2018 |website=techcrunch.com |archive-date=8 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180608205720/https://techcrunch.com/2018/02/28/tencent-music-spotify/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In February 2018, Spotify integrated with the gaming-oriented voice chat service [[Discord (software)|Discord]] on desktop clients, allowing users to display their currently playing song as a rich presence on their profile, and invite other users with Spotify Premium to group "listening parties".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Farokhmanesh |first=Megan |date=1 February 2018 |title=Please tell me Spotify's new partnership with Discord will fix its bad gamer playlists |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/1/16950076/discord-spotify-partnership-streaming-playlists-gaming-listening-habits |access-date=5 February 2020 |website=The Verge |archive-date=5 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205171913/https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/1/16950076/discord-spotify-partnership-streaming-playlists-gaming-listening-habits |url-status=live }}</ref> In April, Spotify announced a discounted entertainment bundle with video-on-demand provider [[Hulu]], which included discounted rates for university students.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Perez |first=Sarah |date=11 April 2018 |title=Spotify and Hulu launch a discounted entertainment bundle for $12.99 per month |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/04/11/spotify-and-hulu-launch-a-discounted-entertainment-bundle-for-12-99-per-month/ |access-date=11 April 2018 |website=TechCrunch |archive-date=11 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411135224/https://techcrunch.com/2018/04/11/spotify-and-hulu-launch-a-discounted-entertainment-bundle-for-12-99-per-month/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In May 2020, Spotify teamed up with [[ESPN]] and [[Netflix]] to curate podcasts around their [[Michael Jordan]] documentary ''[[The Last Dance (miniseries)|The Last Dance]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carman |first=Ashley |date=1 May 2020 |title=Netflix and ESPN team up with Spotify to curate podcasts around their Michael Jordan documentary |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/1/21243927/netflix-espn-spotify-the-last-dance-michael-jordan-documentary-podcast |access-date=3 May 2020 |website=The Verge |archive-date=3 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200503061820/https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/1/21243927/netflix-espn-spotify-the-last-dance-michael-jordan-documentary-podcast |url-status=live }}</ref> and in September, Spotify signed a deal with [[Chernin Entertainment]] to produce movies and TV shows.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spotify Strikes First-Look Deal To Adapt Podcasts As Movies And TV Shows |url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/spotify-strikes-first-look-deal-adapt-podcasts-movies-and-tv/ |access-date=25 September 2020 |website=Movies |date=24 September 2020 |archive-date=26 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926164245/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/spotify-strikes-first-look-deal-adapt-podcasts-movies-and-tv/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2020 and 2021, Spotify and [[DC Comics|DC]], a brand at the time under [[Warner Bros.|Warner Bros. Entertainment]] signed deals to create audio shows on the platform around characters such as Catwoman, Wonder Woman, the Riddler, Batgirl, Superman and Lois Lane, among others.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Julia |date=22 February 2021 |title=DC Comics is launching a podcast universe on Spotify |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/2/22/22295156/dc-comics-spotify-universe-podcast-superhero |access-date=10 March 2023 |website=The Verge |language=en-US |archive-date=10 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230310122306/https://www.theverge.com/2021/2/22/22295156/dc-comics-spotify-universe-podcast-superhero |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=J. Clara |date=8 March 2023 |title=Behind Spotify's Growing DC Comics Audioverse |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/spotify-dc-comics-harley-quinn-joker-1235343386/ |access-date=10 March 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=10 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230310122307/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/spotify-dc-comics-harley-quinn-joker-1235343386/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2022, Spotify became the official streaming partner of [[FC Barcelona]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=David |date=15 March 2022 |title=Spotify to Become Main Partner, Official Audio Streaming Partner of FC Barcelona |url=https://www.adweek.com/social-marketing/spotify-to-become-main-partner-official-audio-streaming-partner-of-fc-barcelona/ |access-date=23 March 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=26 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326131041/https://www.adweek.com/social-marketing/spotify-to-become-main-partner-official-audio-streaming-partner-of-fc-barcelona/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In May 2022, Spotify announced a partnership with the online game platform and game creation system the [[Roblox Corporation]], the partnership saw Spotify as the first streaming brand to have a presence within the game with the launch of "Spotify Island".<ref>{{Cite journal |date=3 May 2022 |title=Spotify becomes first music streamer to launch on Roblox |url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/05/03/spotify-becomes-first-music-streamer-to-launch-on-roblox/ |journal=Tech Crunch |access-date=3 May 2022 |archive-date=3 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503110555/https://techcrunch.com/2022/05/03/spotify-becomes-first-music-streamer-to-launch-on-roblox/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In March 2023, Spotify announced a partnership with [[Patreon]], which Spotify claimed would "enable creators to expand their creative business through direct payments from fans, and allow fans to listen to their Patreon content on Spotify".<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Makari |first=Reem |date=8 March 2023 |title=Spotify unveils Patreon partnership, redesigned app and more |url=https://www.podpod.com/article/1815813 |access-date=1 July 2023 |website=podpod.com |language=en |archive-date=5 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305105128/https://www.podpod.com/article/1815813/spotify-unveils-patreon-partnership-redesigned-app |url-status=live }}</ref>
==== Dispute with Apple ====
In July 2015, Spotify launched an email campaign to urge its [[App Store (iOS)|App Store]] subscribers to cancel their subscriptions and start new ones through its website, bypassing the 30% transaction fee for in-app purchases required for [[iOS]] applications by technology company [[Apple Inc.]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Welch |first=Chris |date=8 July 2015 |title=Spotify urges iPhone customers to stop paying through Apple's App Store |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/7/8/8913105/spotify-apple-app-store-email |access-date=11 December 2017 |website=[[The Verge]]  |archive-date=28 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928030015/https://www.theverge.com/2015/7/8/8913105/spotify-apple-app-store-email |url-status=live}}</ref> A later update to the Spotify app on iOS was rejected by Apple, prompting Spotify's general counsel Horacio Gutierrez to write a letter to Apple's then-general counsel Bruce Sewell, stating: "This latest episode raises serious concerns under both U.S. and EU competition law. It continues a troubling pattern of behavior by Apple to exclude and diminish the competitiveness of Spotify on iOS and as a rival to [[Apple Music]], particularly when seen against the backdrop of Apple's previous anticompetitive conduct aimed at Spotify ... we cannot stand by as Apple uses the App Store approval process as a weapon to harm competitors."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kafka |first=Peter |date=30 June 2016 |title=Spotify says Apple won't approve a new version of its app because it doesn't want competition for Apple Music |url=http://www.recode.net/2016/6/30/12067578/spotify-apple-app-store-rejection |access-date=22 January 2017 |website=[[Recode]] |archive-date=30 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430063409/https://www.recode.net/2016/6/30/12067578/spotify-apple-app-store-rejection |url-status=live}}</ref>
Sewell responded to the letter: "We find it troubling that you are asking for exemptions to the rules we apply to all developers and are publicly resorting to rumors and half-truths about our service." He also elaborated that "Our guidelines apply equally to all app developers, whether they are game developers, e-book sellers, video-streaming services or digital music distributors; and regardless of whether they compete against Apple. We did not alter our behavior or our rules when we introduced our own music streaming service or when Spotify became a competitor". Furthermore, he stated that "There is nothing in Apple's conduct that 'amounts to a violation of applicable antitrust laws.' Far from it. ... I would be happy to facilitate an expeditious review and approval of your app as soon as you provide us with something that is compliant with the App Store's rules".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Paczkowski |first=John |date=1 July 2016 |title=Apple Slams Spotify For Asking For 'Preferential Treatment' |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/johnpaczkowski/apple-fires-back-at-spotify-for-asking-for-preferential-trea |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701215735/https://www.buzzfeed.com/johnpaczkowski/apple-fires-back-at-spotify-for-asking-for-preferential-trea |archive-date=1 July 2016 |access-date=11 December 2017 |website=[[BuzzFeed]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Raymundo |first=Oscar |date=1 July 2016 |title=Apple slams Spotify for criticizing the App Store as anti-competitive |url=https://www.macworld.com/article/3090219/ios/spotify-lawyers-up-against-apple-for-rejecting-its-updated-ios-app.html |access-date=11 December 2017 |website=[[MacWorld]] |publisher=[[International Data Group]] |archive-date=12 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171212031529/https://www.macworld.com/article/3090219/ios/spotify-lawyers-up-against-apple-for-rejecting-its-updated-ios-app.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
In the following months, Spotify joined several other companies in filing a letter with the [[European Union]]'s [[antitrust]] body indirectly accusing Apple and Google of "abusing their 'privileged position' at the top of the market", by referring to "some" companies as having "transformed into 'gatekeepers' rather than 'gateways'".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Campbell |first=Mikey |date=5 May 2017 |title=Spotify, others file EU complaint over Apple and Google app store practices |url=http://appleinsider.com/articles/17/05/05/spotify-others-file-eu-complaint-over-apple-and-google-app-store-practices |access-date=6 May 2017 |website=AppleInsider |archive-date=6 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170506053524/http://appleinsider.com/articles/17/05/05/spotify-others-file-eu-complaint-over-apple-and-google-app-store-practices |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Chance |date=6 May 2017 |title=Spotify again accuses Apple of abusing its size & acting as a 'gatekeeper' |url=https://9to5mac.com/2017/05/06/spotify-again-accuses-apple-of-abusing-its-size-acting-as-a-gatekeeper/ |access-date=6 May 2017 |website=9to5Mac |archive-date=14 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914125940/https://9to5mac.com/2017/05/06/spotify-again-accuses-apple-of-abusing-its-size-acting-as-a-gatekeeper/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The complaint led to the European Union announcing that it would prepare an initiative by the end of 2017 for a possible law addressing unfair competition practices.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fioretti |first=Julia |date=10 May 2017 |title=EU to tackle complaints over tech companies' trading practices |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-digital-idUSKBN18614K |access-date=10 May 2017 |work=Reuters  |archive-date=10 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510102415/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-digital-idUSKBN18614K |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lovejoy |first=Ben |date=10 May 2017 |title=EU planning a new law addressing 'unfair contractual clauses' following Spotify's complaint against Apple |url=https://9to5mac.com/2017/05/10/eu-apple-spotify-complaint/ |access-date=10 May 2017 |website=9to5Mac |archive-date=16 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170516215828/https://9to5mac.com/2017/05/10/eu-apple-spotify-complaint/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Spotify released the first version of its [[Apple Watch]] app in November 2018, allowing playback control of the iPhone via the watch. Users can also choose which devices to play music on via Bluetooth.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Spotify officially releases the first version of its Apple Watch app |work=Ars Technica |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2018/11/spotify-officially-releases-first-version-of-its-apple-watch-app/ |access-date=14 November 2018 |archive-date=23 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423014248/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2018/11/spotify-officially-releases-first-version-of-its-apple-watch-app/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In a further escalation of the dispute with Apple, on 13 March 2019, Spotify filed an antitrust complaint with the European Commission over unfair app store practices. Two days later, Apple responded, stating that the claim was misleading rhetoric and that Spotify wanted benefits of a free app without being a free app. Spotify responded with a statement calling Apple a monopolist and stated that they had only filed the complaint as Apple's actions hurt competition and consumers and clearly violated the law. It also said that Apple believed Spotify users on the app store were Apple's customers and not Spotify's.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossignol |first=Joe |title=Spotify on Apple's Response to App Store Dispute: 'Every Monopolist Will Suggest They Have Done Nothing Wrong' |url=https://www.macrumors.com/2019/03/16/spotify-calls-apple-monopolist/ |access-date=19 March 2019 |website=macrumors.com |date=16 March 2019 |archive-date=27 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190727111459/https://www.macrumors.com/2019/03/16/spotify-calls-apple-monopolist/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Apple responded to Spotify's claims by counter-claiming that Spotify's market reach and user base would not have been possible without the Apple App Store platform. Additionally, Apple stated that they have attempted to work with Spotify to integrate the service better with Apple's products, such as [[Siri]] and Apple Watch.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Addressing Spotify's Claims |url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2019/03/addressing-spotifys-claims/ |access-date=20 November 2019 |website=Apple Newsroom |archive-date=6 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606021032/https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2019/03/addressing-spotifys-claims/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2019, under [[iOS 13]], it became possible to play Spotify music using Siri commands.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Meek |first=Andy |date=7 October 2019 |title=Apple just finally added Spotify integration to Siri in iOS 13 |url=https://bgr.com/2019/10/07/apple-vs-spotify-siri-integration-ios-13/ |access-date=8 October 2019 |website=BGR |archive-date=7 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191007212141/https://bgr.com/2019/10/07/apple-vs-spotify-siri-integration-ios-13/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Spotify was one of the first companies to support [[Epic Games]] in their [[Epic Games v. Apple|lawsuit against Apple]], which was filed after Epic also tried to bypass Apple's 30% fee for [[microtransactions]] in [[Fortnite]]. In September 2020, Spotify, Epic, and other companies founded [[The Coalition for App Fairness]], which aims for better conditions for the inclusion of apps in [[app store]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Amadeo |first=Ron |date=24 September 2020 |title=Epic, Spotify, and others take on Apple with "Coalition for App Fairness" |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2020/09/epic-spotify-and-others-take-on-apple-with-coalition-for-app-fairness/ |access-date=26 September 2020 |website=Ars Technica |archive-date=24 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924195429/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2020/09/epic-spotify-and-others-take-on-apple-with-coalition-for-app-fairness/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==== Dispute with Kakao Entertainment Corp. ====
On 1 March 2021, Spotify confirmed that its platform would no longer have access to music from artists represented by [[Kakao Entertainment]]. However, after talking it out and renewing the contracts between the two, Spotify later announced that they had reached an agreement with Kakao Entertainment, allowing their content to be available once again on the platform across the globe.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 March 2021 |title=Spotify and K-Pop Label Kakao Settle Licensing Dispute, Music Returning to Platform |url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/spotify-k-pop-kakao-licensing-dispute-1234927727/ |access-date=15 February 2022 |archive-date=15 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215025336/https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/spotify-k-pop-kakao-licensing-dispute-1234927727/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==== Functionality ====
In November 2021, Spotify hid the "shuffle" button for albums following a request by singer [[Adele]], arguing that tracks in albums are supposed to be played back in the order specified by the artist to "tell a story".<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 November 2021 |title=Spotify hides shuffle button after Adele says albums should 'tell a story' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/nov/21/spotify-hides-shuffle-button-adele-albums-should-tell-a-story |access-date=19 April 2022 |website=The Guardian |language=en |archive-date=19 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419010842/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/nov/21/spotify-hides-shuffle-button-adele-albums-should-tell-a-story |url-status=live }}</ref>
==== NFTs ====
In May 2022, Spotify began testing a feature that would allow select artists to promote their [[Non-fungible token|NFTs]] via their profiles. Some artists included in this initial test phase were [[Steve Aoki]] and [[the Wombats]]. The testing was very limited in nature and was only available on Spotify's Android app in the US.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Exclusive: Spotify tests letting artists promote NFTs on their profiles&nbsp;– Music Ally |date=13 May 2022 |url=https://musically.com/2022/05/13/spotify-artists-promote-nfts/ |access-date=17 May 2022 |archive-date=17 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517000910/https://musically.com/2022/05/13/spotify-artists-promote-nfts/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
==== Artificial streams ====
In May 2023, Spotify removed tens of thousands of songs, roughly 7% of the tracks uploaded by the Boomy, due to suspected "artificial streaming", the practice of using online bots to inflate the listening statistics.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Nicolaou |first1=Anna |title=Spotify ejects thousands of AI-made songs in purge of fake streams |url=https://www.ft.com/content/b6802c8f-50e7-4df8-8682-cca794881e30 |access-date=20 January 2024 |website=Financial Times |archive-date=21 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240121235230/https://www.ft.com/content/b6802c8f-50e7-4df8-8682-cca794881e30 |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Corporate affairs ==
The key trends for Spotify Technology are (as of the financial year ending 31 December):<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spotify Technology Financial Statements yearly {{!}} SPOT |url=https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/SPOT/spotify-technology/financial-statements |access-date=8 August 2024 |website=www.macrotrends.net}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
!Year
!Revenue<br>(US$ bn)
!Gross operating<br>profit{{Efn|[[EBITDA]]}}<br>(US$ m)
!Net profit<br>(US$ m)
!Total assets<br>(US$ bn)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spotify Technology Total Assets yearly {{!}} SPOT |url=https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/SPOT/spotify-technology/total-assets |access-date=8 August 2024 |website=www.macrotrends.net}}</ref>
!Number of<br>employees<br>(k)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spotify Technology: Number of Employees yearly {{!}} SPOT |url=https://www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/SPOT/spotify-technology/number-of-employees |access-date=8 August 2024 |website=www.macrotrends.net}}</ref>
|-
|2017
|4.6
|<span style="color:red;">−366</span>
|<span style="color:red;">−1,395</span>
|3.5
|2.9
|-
|2018
|6.2
|<span style="color:red;">−12.9</span>
|<span style="color:red;">−92.1</span>
|5.1
|3.6
|-
|2019
|7.5
|15.6
|<span style="color:red;">−208</span>
|5.7
|4.4
|-
|2020
|9.0
|<span style="color:red;">−207</span>
|<span style="color:red;">−663</span>
|7.2
|3.6
|-
|2021
|11.4
|261
|<span style="color:red;">−40.2</span>
|8.4
|6.6
|-
|2022
|12.3
|<span style="color:red;">−514</span>
|<span style="color:red;">−453</span>
|8.0
|8.3
|-
|2023
|14.3
|<span style="color:red;">−311</span>
|<span style="color:red;">−575</span>
|9.0
|9.1
|}
== Unionization ==
Spotify recognizes [[trade union]]s at its US podcasting subsidiaries [[The Ringer (website)|The Ringer]] and [[Spotify Studios]] since 2019. In Germany, a [[works council]] was established in 2023. Swedish trade unions have unsuccessfully attempted to [[collective bargaining|bargain collectively]] with Spotify since 2023.
=== Germany ===
Spotify [[GmbH]] employees in Berlin established an [[electoral board (works council)|electoral board]] in February 2023,<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 February 2023 |title=Bei Spotify wird ein Betriebsrat gewählt |trans-title=Spotify is electing a Works Council |url=https://mmm.verdi.de/gewerkschaft/bei-spotify-wird-ein-betriebsrat-gewaehlt-86837/ |access-date=24 June 2024 |website=[[ver.di|[Menschen Machen Medien]] |language=de-DE |archive-date=2 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241002004906/https://mmm.verdi.de/gewerkschaft/bei-spotify-wird-ein-betriebsrat-gewaehlt-86837/ |url-status=live }}</ref> which prepared the election for the [[works council]] in April.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1649410165978939393 |user=TechWorkersBER |title=This is not exactly a @SpotifyDE album release...🥳 Berlin @Spotify employees formed a Works Council today! 🎶 Three months of campaigning with @verdi_tech 💪 |author=[[Tech Workers Coalition]] |access-date=24 June 2024}}</ref>{{Non primary source needed|date=June 2024}}
=== Sweden ===
Spotify [[Aktiebolag|AB]] does not recognize any trade unions or have any [[collective agreements]] in Sweden. Spotify ended joint-negotiations with the three trade unions [[Unionen]] and [[Engineers of Sweden]] (affiliate of [[Swedish Confederation of Professional Associations|SACO]]) in August 2023. The three unions petitioned Spotify to negotiate back in May. 90% of Swedish workers are [[Collective agreement coverage|covered by collective agreements]]. In tech companies bargaining coverage is less common. Swedish labor disputes are also happening at [[Tesla and unions#Sweden|Tesla]] and [[Klarna]] {{As of|2024|lc=y}}.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lund |first=Sandra |date=27 October 2023 |title=Tech companies disrupt the Swedish model |url=https://www.arbetsvarlden.se/tech-companies-disrupt-the-swedish-model/ |access-date=24 June 2024 |website=[[Arbetsvärlden]] |archive-date=24 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240624150232/https://www.arbetsvarlden.se/tech-companies-disrupt-the-swedish-model/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=9 August 2023 |title=Spotify pulls out of negotiations with Swedish trade unions |url=https://www.thelocal.se/20230809/spotify-pulls-out-of-negotiations-with-swedish-trade-unions |work=[[The Local]] |access-date=24 June 2024 |archive-date=24 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240624144728/https://www.thelocal.se/20230809/spotify-pulls-out-of-negotiations-with-swedish-trade-unions |url-status=live }}</ref>
In November 2022, Henry Catalini Smith, a Spotify engineer in [[Malmö]], set up the channel #kollektivavtal in the internal company [[Slack Technologies|Slack]], which means "[[collective agreement]]" in Swedish. The channel grew to 2,000 participants. 700 employees have since joined Unionen, with another 100 each joining Engineers of Sweden and Akavia.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 April 2023 |title=Interview: 'Spotify is going to find that a union deal is a competitive advantage' |url=https://www.thelocal.se/20230414/interview-spotify-is-going-to-find-that-a-union-deal-is-a-competitive-advantage |work=[[The Local]]}}</ref> Catalini Smith no longer works at Spotify.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lund |first=Sandra |date=15 February 2024 |title=The CBA struggle at Spotify traumatized him |url=https://www.arbetsvarlden.se/the-cba-struggle-at-spotify-traumatized-him/ |access-date=24 June 2024 |website=[[Arbetsvärlden]] |archive-date=2 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241002004908/https://www.arbetsvarlden.se/the-cba-struggle-at-spotify-traumatized-him/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== United States ===
[[Writers Guild of America, East]] represents two union affiliates at [[Spotify Studios]] and [[The Ringer (website)|The Ringer]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Kaloi |first=Stephanie |date=15 March 2024 |title=WGA East Members at Spotify and The Ringer Ratify New Contracts |url=https://www.thewrap.com/wga-east-members-at-spotify-and-the-ringer-ratify-new-contracts/ |access-date=24 June 2024 |website=[[TheWrap]] |language=en-US |archive-date=24 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240624144729/https://www.thewrap.com/wga-east-members-at-spotify-and-the-ringer-ratify-new-contracts/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
The United Musicians and Allied Workers campaigns for a fairer redistribution and compensation system for musicians.<ref name="UMAW">{{Cite news |last=Selinger |first=Julia |date=20 March 2024 |title=Musicians want streamers to pay a living wage. Can this bill make that happen? |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/91063051/new-bill-living-wage-musicians-tlaib-umaw |work=[[Fast Company]] |access-date=24 June 2024 |archive-date=2 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241002004908/https://www.fastcompany.com/91063051/new-bill-living-wage-musicians-tlaib-umaw |url-status=live }}</ref> The United Musicians and Allied Workers (UMAW) was established in 2020 during the onset of the [[Coronavirus|Corona pandemic]]. One year later in 31 cities worldwide, 27,500 musicians joined UMAW's campaign #JusticeAtSpotify to demand a compensation of one cent per audio [[Streaming media|stream]]. Moreover, they are asking for a fairer redistribution system, as smaller artists are disproportionately disadvantaged on Spotify.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Voynovskaya |first=Nastia |date=16 March 2021 |title=Musicians Demand Better Pay at Spotify Headquarters Around the World |url=https://www.kqed.org/arts/13893952/musicians-demand-better-pay-at-spotify-headquarters-around-the-world |access-date=24 June 2024 |website=[[KQED Inc.]] |language=en |archive-date=2 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241002004905/https://www.kqed.org/arts/13893952/musicians-demand-better-pay-at-spotify-headquarters-around-the-world |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="UMAW" />
One month after Spotify acquired [[Gimlet Media]] in February 2019, 75% of staff at Gimlet Media went public, signing [[Card check|union cards]] and seeking [[voluntary recognition]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Donovan |first=Caroline |date=13 March 2019 |title=The Staff Of Gimlet Media Is Unionizing |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/carolineodonovan/gimlet-media-podcasts-spotify-union |access-date=24 June 2024 |website=[[BuzzFeed News]] |language=en |archive-date=24 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240624144727/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/carolineodonovan/gimlet-media-podcasts-spotify-union |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Carman |first=Ashley |date=13 March 2019 |title=Gimlet Media staff moves to unionize following Spotify deal |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/3/13/18263957/gimlet-media-union-spotify-recognition-podcasts |access-date=24 June 2024 |website=[[The Verge]] |language=en |archive-date=2 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241002004910/https://www.theverge.com/2019/3/13/18263957/gimlet-media-union-spotify-recognition-podcasts |url-status=live }}</ref> In August, [[The Ringer (website)|The Ringer{{'}}s]] editorial staff voted to unionize with the [[Writers Guild of America, East]] (before it was owned by Spotify). The union was voluntarily recognized by Ringer management four days later.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Spangler |first=Todd |title=The Ringer Management Recognizes Union Representation by Writers Guild of America East |url=https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/the-ringer-union-wga-east-bill-simmons-1203304631/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914042431/https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/the-ringer-union-wga-east-bill-simmons-1203304631/ |archive-date=14 September 2019 |access-date=3 September 2019 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |language=en-US}}</ref> In February 2020, Spotify announced it was acquiring The Ringer, and inheriting the previously established union.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last1=Robertson |first1=Katie |last2=Scheiber |first2=Noam |author-link2=Noam Scheiber |date=5 February 2020 |title=Spotify Is Buying The Ringer |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/05/business/media/spotify-the-ringer-bill-simmons.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205141009/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/05/business/media/spotify-the-ringer-bill-simmons.html |archive-date=5 February 2020 |access-date=5 February 2020 |work=[[The New York Times]] |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lunden |first=Ingrid |date=5 February 2020 |title=Spotify is buying The Ringer to boost its sports podcast content |url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/02/05/spotify-is-buying-the-ringer-to-boost-its-sports-podcast-content/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205171110/http://social.techcrunch.com/2020/02/05/spotify-is-buying-the-ringer-to-boost-its-sports-podcast-content/ |archive-date=5 February 2020 |access-date=5 February 2020 |website=[[Tech Crunch]] |language=en-US}}</ref> A year later, in April 2021, writers and producers ratified their first [[collective agreement]] with Gimlet Media and Ringer. It would last 3 years, with minimum base salary of $57,000 for Ringer staff and $73,000 for Gimlet producers. There was no provision regarding worker ownership of content created, one of the initial demands.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carman |first=Ashley |date=7 April 2021 |title=Gimlet and Ringer unions detail their first historic contracts with Spotify |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/4/7/22327090/gimlet-media-union-spotify-contract-agreement |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241002005404/https://www.theverge.com/2021/4/7/22327090/gimlet-media-union-spotify-contract-agreement |archive-date=2 October 2024 |access-date=24 June 2024 |website=[[The Verge]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Scheiber |first=Noam |author-link=Noam Scheiber |date=7 April 2021 |title=Unions at The Ringer and Gimlet Media announce their first contracts. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/07/business/ringer-gimlet-union-contracts.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241002005350/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/07/business/ringer-gimlet-union-contracts.html |archive-date=2 October 2024 |access-date=24 June 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]] |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
Spotify acquired [[Parcast]] in March 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carman |first=Ashley |date=26 March 2019 |title=Spotify acquires another podcast network to keep building its original show catalog |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/3/26/18282301/spotify-podcasts-parcast-acquisition-gimlet-media-anchor |access-date=24 June 2024 |website=[[The Verge]] |language=en |archive-date=27 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327172436/https://www.theverge.com/2019/3/26/18282301/spotify-podcasts-parcast-acquisition-gimlet-media-anchor |url-status=live }}</ref> Six months later, Parcast workers went public with their union drive,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carman |first=Ashley |date=2 September 2020 |title=A third Spotify-owned podcast company is starting a union |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/2/21417146/parcast-spotify-union-writers-guild-america-east |access-date=24 June 2024 |website=[[The Verge]] |language=en |archive-date=2 October 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241002004906/https://www.theverge.com/2020/9/2/21417146/parcast-spotify-union-writers-guild-america-east |url-status=live }}</ref> which was recognized a month later by Parcast.<ref name="Parcast Union">{{Cite web |last=Kilkenny |first=Katie |date=18 April 2022 |title=Spotify's Parcast Union Members Vote Unanimously to Ratify First Contract |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/parcast-union-ratifies-first-contract-1235128503/ |access-date=24 June 2024 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |language=en-US}}</ref> After 15 months of bargaining, the Parcast union consisting of 56 workers ratified their first collective agreement, which included a minimum salary of $70,000, annual increases and [[affirmative action]] while hiring.<ref name="Parcast Union" />
In March 2024, The Writers Guild of America, East ratified a collective agreement with Ringer and Spotify Studios (Spotify Studios was formed as a merger of [[Gimlet Media]], [[Parcast]] and their respective unions) which increased minimum base salaries to $65,000, protections for migrant employees and included safe-guards against usage of [[Artificial intelligence|Artificial Intelligence]] to create "digital replicas" of their voices.<ref name=":0" />
== Business model ==
[[File:Spotify HK Stockholm.jpg|thumb|Spotify offices in Stockholm, 2024]]
Spotify operates under a [[freemium]] business model (basic services are free, while additional features are offered via paid subscriptions). Spotify generates revenue by selling premium streaming subscriptions to users and advertising placements to third parties. Some of the premium options users may choose from include individual, duo, family, and student.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spotify Premium |url=http://www.spotify.com/us/premium/ |access-date=14 February 2022 |website=Spotify |language=en-US |archive-date=13 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213121532/https://www.spotify.com/us/premium/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In December 2013, the company launched a new website, "Spotify for Artists", explaining its business model and revenue data. Spotify gets its content from major record labels as well as [[independent artist]]s and pays [[copyright]] holders [[royalties]] for streaming music. The company pays 70% of its total revenue to rights holders. Spotify for Artists states that the company does not have a fixed per-play rate; instead, it considers factors such as the user's home country and the individual artist's royalty rate. Rights holders received an average per-play payout between $.000029 and $.0084.<ref name="Spotify business">{{Cite web |title=How is Spotify contributing to the music business? |url=http://www.spotifyartists.com/spotify-explained/ |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20141103193456/http://www.spotifyartists.com/spotify-explained/ |archive-date=3 November 2014 |access-date=7 November 2016 |publisher=Spotify}}</ref>
In 2013, Spotify revealed that it paid artists an average of $0.007 per stream. ''[[Music Week]]'' editor Tim Ingham commented that while the figure may "initially seem alarming," he noted: "Unlike buying a CD or download, streaming is not a one-off payment. Hundreds of millions of streams of tracks are happening every day, which quickly multiplies the potential revenues on offer&nbsp;– and is a constant long-term source of income for artists."<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 December 2013 |title=Spotify reveals artists earn $0.007 per stream |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-25217353 |access-date=22 January 2017 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC |archive-date=6 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206123918/http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-25217353 |url-status=live }}</ref> According to [[Ben Sisario]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'', approximately 13,000 out of seven million artists (0.19%) on Spotify generated $50,000 ({{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=50000|start_year=2020|r=-1|fmt=eq}}) or more in payments in 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ovide |first=Shira |date=22 March 2021 |title=Streaming Saved Music. Artists Hate It. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/22/technology/streaming-music-economics.html |url-access=limited |access-date=26 March 2021 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/22/technology/streaming-music-economics.html |archive-date=28 December 2021 |issn=0362-4331}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
In November 2023, Spotify announced a new royalty model taking effect in 2024, aiming to reduce the amount of "fraudulent" royalties collected from "functional" non-music tracks with short lengths (such as environmental sounds and [[white noise]]). Under the model, tracks must reach at least 1,000 listens in 12 months to become eligible for royalties, "functional" tracks will require a longer amount of play time to count as a listen, and distributors will face reprimands if their content is responsible for generating "fradulant" royalties. The changes faced a mixed reaction from the music industry, who believed that it would be detrimental to emerging musicians, but would make a larger share of total royalty payments available to musicians.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aswad |first=Jem |date=6 November 2023 |title=What Spotify's New Royalty Model Really Means |url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/spotify-new-royalty-model-really-means-1235781554/ |access-date=15 December 2023 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=15 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215033131/https://variety.com/2023/music/news/spotify-new-royalty-model-really-means-1235781554/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2 November 2023 |title=Spotify's New Royalty Model Explained by an Expert |url=https://consequence.net/2023/11/spotify-royalty-model-op-ed/ |access-date=15 December 2023 |website=Consequence of Sound |language=en-US |archive-date=15 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215033131/https://consequence.net/2023/11/spotify-royalty-model-op-ed/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=5 November 2023 |title=Confirmed: From 2024, tracks on Spotify will have to be played 1,000 times before they start earning money |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/confirmed-next-year-tracks-on-spotify-1000-plays/ |access-date=15 December 2023 |website=Music Business Worldwide |language=en-US |archive-date=15 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215033131/https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/confirmed-next-year-tracks-on-spotify-1000-plays/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Accounts and subscriptions ===
{{Update|part=section|date=August 2024}}
As of August 2022, the two Spotify subscription tiers are:
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%; background:#fff;"
|-
!|Type
!|Remove ads
!|Mobile listening
!|Sound quality
!|Listen offline
!Spotify Connect
|-
! scope="row"| Spotify Free
| {{No}}
| {{Maybe|Limited<br /><small>(shuffle-only mode)</small>}}
| style="text-align: center;" | Up to 160&nbsp;kbit/s [[Vorbis]] or 128&nbsp;kbit/s [[Advanced Audio Coding]] for the web player
| {{No}}
| {{Maybe|Limited<br /><small>(Spotify Connect device using the new [[Software development kit|SDK]])</small>}}
|-
! scope="row" | Spotify Premium
| {{Yes}}*
| {{Yes}}
| style="text-align: center;" | Up to 320&nbsp;kbit/s Vorbis or 256&nbsp;kbit/s AAC for the web player
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|}
{{asterisk}}Still shows sponsored content, such as ''Spotify Showcase'' banners.<ref name="showcase-spotify-for-artists">{{cite web |url=https://artists.spotify.com/showcase |website=Showcase - Spotify for Artists |access-date=2 December 2024 |ref=showcase-spotify-for-artists}}</ref>
None of these subscriptions limit listening time.
In March 2014, Spotify introduced a discounted Premium subscription tier for students in which students in the United States enrolled in a university pay half-price for a Premium subscription.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hernandez |first=Brian Anthony |date=25 March 2014 |title=Spotify Slashes Subscription Prices for College Students |url=http://mashable.com/2014/03/25/spotify-premium-student-discount/ |access-date=2 June 2017 |website=[[Mashable]] |archive-date=3 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170503095714/http://mashable.com/2014/03/25/spotify-premium-student-discount/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In April 2017, the discount was expanded to 33 more countries.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dalton |first=Andrew |date=19 April 2017 |title=Spotify's half-price plan for students comes to 33 more countries |url=https://www.engadget.com/2017/04/19/spotifys-half-price-premium-for-students-33-more-countries/ |access-date=19 April 2017 |website=[[Engadget]] |publisher=[[Oath Inc.]] |archive-date=19 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419083346/https://www.engadget.com/2017/04/19/spotifys-half-price-premium-for-students-33-more-countries/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lancaster |first=Luke |date=19 April 2017 |title=Students can now pick up Spotify Premium for half price |url=https://www.cnet.com/au/news/students-can-now-pick-up-spotify-premium-for-half-price/ |access-date=19 April 2017 |publisher=[[CNET]] |archive-date=19 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419200653/https://www.cnet.com/au/news/students-can-now-pick-up-spotify-premium-for-half-price/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Spotify introduced a Family subscription in October 2014, which allows up to 5 family members to have a premium subscription.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Warren |first=Tom |date=20 October 2014 |title=Spotify Family lets you share a subscription from $14.99 per month |url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/10/20/7013227/spotify-family-shared-premium-subscription-pricing-features |access-date=2 June 2017 |website=[[The Verge]]  |archive-date=20 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920093155/https://www.theverge.com/2014/10/20/7013227/spotify-family-shared-premium-subscription-pricing-features |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Hear |first=Steve |date=20 October 2014 |title=Spotify Introduces Family Plan, Starting At $14.99 Per Month For Two Members |url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/10/20/spotify-introduces-family-plan-starting-at-14-99-per-month-for-two-members/ |access-date=2 June 2017 |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=Oath Inc. |archive-date=20 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920093427/https://techcrunch.com/2014/10/20/spotify-introduces-family-plan-starting-at-14-99-per-month-for-two-members/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2016, the limit was changed to 6 family members, and the price was reduced.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dillet |first=Romain |date=23 May 2016 |title=Spotify family plan is now cheaper, $14.99 for up to 6 people |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/05/23/spotify-family-plan-is-now-cheaper-14-99-for-up-to-6-people/ |access-date=2 June 2017 |website=TechCrunch |publisher=Oath Inc. |archive-date=20 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920093429/https://techcrunch.com/2016/05/23/spotify-family-plan-is-now-cheaper-14-99-for-up-to-6-people/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Family subscription provides access to [[Spotify Kids]].<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Dave |date=24 November 2021 |title=How to sign up for Spotify's Family plan, the streaming service's membership for up to 6 people |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/spotify-family-plan |access-date=1 December 2021 |website=[[Business Insider]] |language=en-US |archive-date=1 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201035110/https://www.businessinsider.com/spotify-family-plan |url-status=live }}</ref>
In November 2018, Spotify announced it was opening up Spotify Connect to all of the users using its Free service, however, these changes still required products supporting Spotify Connect to support the latest [[software development kit]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Heater |first=Brian |date=7 November 2018 |title=Spotify Connect speakers will soon work with its free tier |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/11/07/spotify-connect-speakers-will-soon-work-with-its-free-tier/ |access-date=10 November 2018 |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=Oath Inc. |archive-date=9 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109151337/https://techcrunch.com/2018/11/07/spotify-connect-speakers-will-soon-work-with-its-free-tier/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sawers |first=Paul |date=7 November 2018 |title=Spotify Connect for speakers opens to free users via a new SDK |url=https://venturebeat.com/2018/11/07/spotify-connect-opens-to-free-users-via-a-new-sdk-for-hardware-makers/ |access-date=10 November 2018 |website=[[Venturebeat]] |archive-date=10 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181110120453/https://venturebeat.com/2018/11/07/spotify-connect-opens-to-free-users-via-a-new-sdk-for-hardware-makers/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In July 2020,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guinness |first=Harry |title=What Is Spotify Duo, and Is It Right for You? |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/680795/what-is-spotify-duo-and-is-it-right-for-you/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706191004/https://www.howtogeek.com/680795/what-is-spotify-duo-and-is-it-right-for-you/ |archive-date=6 July 2022 |access-date=6 July 2022 |website=How-To Geek |date=8 July 2020 |language=en-US}}</ref> Spotify added another tier, Premium Duo.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spotify Premium Duo |url=http://www.spotify.com/uk/duo/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706191353/https://www.spotify.com/uk/duo/ |archive-date=6 July 2022 |access-date=6 July 2022 |website=Spotify |language=en-GB}}</ref> This is aimed at couples and it lets up to 2 people (living at the same address) share a subscription.
In February 2021, Spotify announced their plans to introduce a HiFi subscription, to offer listening in [[high fidelity]], lossless sound quality. The rollout for the HiFi tier is yet to be announced.<ref name="HiFi">{{Cite web |date=22 February 2021 |title=Spotify HiFi subscription to launch in select markets later this year |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-hifi-subscription-to-launch-in-select-markets-later-this-year/ |access-date=22 February 2021 |website=[[Music Business Worldwide]] |archive-date=22 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222171632/https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-hifi-subscription-to-launch-in-select-markets-later-this-year/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In August 2021, Spotify launched a test subscription tier called Spotify Plus. The subscription costs $0.99 and is supposed to be a combination of the free and premium tiers. Subscribers to this plan will still receive ads but will get the ability to listen to songs without shuffle mode and skip any number of tracks. The company reported that the tier conditions may change before its full launch.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Jon |date=3 August 2021 |title=Spotify is testing a less restrictive ad-supported tier costing $0.99 a month |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/8/3/22607203/spotify-plus-ad-supported-tier-unlimited-skips-on-demand-listening |access-date=3 August 2021 |website=The Verge |archive-date=3 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803083215/https://www.theverge.com/2021/8/3/22607203/spotify-plus-ad-supported-tier-unlimited-skips-on-demand-listening |url-status=live }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" width=50%
|+ Prices for Spotify Premium tiers as of July 2024<ref name=SpotifyLevels >{{Cite web |title=Spotify Premium - Spotify (US) |url=https://www.spotify.com/us/premium/ |access-date=10 August 2024 |website=Spotify |language=en-US }}</ref>
!Plan
!Price
|-
|Student
|$5.99
|-
|Individual
|$11.99
|-
|Duo
|$16.99
|-
|Family
|$19.99
|}
Spotify also offers an "Audiobook Access" option giving paying subscribers access to their [[audiobook]] catalog for a limited time each month.<ref name=SpotifyLevels />
=== Monetization ===
In 2008, just after launch, the company made a loss of 31.8 million Swedish kronor (US$4.4 million).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nylander |first=Johan |date=17 August 2009 |title=Spotify doubled its loss last year |url=http://www.swedishwire.com/business/751-spotify-doubled-its-loss-last-year |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303181238/http://www.swedishwire.com/business/751-spotify-doubled-its-loss-last-year |archive-date=3 March 2016 |access-date=7 November 2016 |website=The Swedish Wire}}</ref> In October 2010, ''[[Wired (website)|Wired]]'' reported that Spotify was making more money for labels in Sweden than any other retailer "online or off".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Geere |first=Duncan |date=29 October 2010 |title=Spotify now top-tier music revenue source in Sweden |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2010-10/29/spotify-swedish-revenue |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101030230717/http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2010-10/29/spotify-swedish-revenue |archive-date=30 October 2010 |access-date=22 January 2017 |website=[[Wired (website)|Wired]]}}</ref> Years after growth and expansion, a November 2012 report suggested strong momentum for the company. In 2011, it reported a near US$60&nbsp;million net loss from revenue of $244&nbsp;million ({{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=244000000|start_year=2011|r=-5|fmt=eq}}), while it was expected to generate a net loss of $40&nbsp;million ({{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=40000000|start_year=2012|r=-4|fmt=eq}}) from revenue of $500&nbsp;million in 2012 ({{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=500000000|start_year=2012|r=-5|fmt=eq}}).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eldon |first=Eric |date=10 November 2012 |title=Spotify Is Having A Good 2012: Revenues Could Reach $500M As It Expands The Digital Music Market |url=https://techcrunch.com/2012/11/10/spotify-is-having-a-good-2012-revenues-could-reach-500m-as-it-expands-the-digital-music-market/ |access-date=22 January 2017 |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |archive-date=2 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402075109/https://techcrunch.com/2012/11/10/spotify-is-having-a-good-2012-revenues-could-reach-500m-as-it-expands-the-digital-music-market/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Another source of income was music purchases from within the app, however this service was removed in January 2013.<ref name="No purchase">{{Cite web |last=Brian |first=Matt |date=4 January 2013 |title=Spotify is no longer offering new music download purchases to its users |url=https://thenextweb.com/media/2013/01/04/spotify-is-no-longer-offering-new-music-download-purchases-to-its-users/ |access-date=22 January 2017 |website=The Next Web |archive-date=13 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413203243/https://thenextweb.com/media/2013/01/04/spotify-is-no-longer-offering-new-music-download-purchases-to-its-users/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In May 2016, Spotify announced "Sponsored Playlists", a monetisation opportunity in which brands can specify the audiences they have in mind, with Spotify matching the marketer with suitable music in a playlist.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Swant |first=Marty |date=26 May 2016 |title=Spotify Will Now Let Brands Sponsor the Most Popular Playlists |url=http://www.adweek.com/digital/spotify-will-now-let-brands-sponsor-most-popular-playlists-171706/ |access-date=20 June 2017 |website=[[Adweek]] |publisher=Beringer Capital |archive-date=15 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615101820/http://www.adweek.com/digital/spotify-will-now-let-brands-sponsor-most-popular-playlists-171706/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Morrison |first=Maureen |date=26 May 2016 |title=Spotify Opens Its Popular Playlists to Sponsors |url=http://adage.com/article/digital/spotify-expands-ad-formats-sponsored-playlists/304174/ |access-date=20 June 2017 |website=[[Advertising Age]] |archive-date=12 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612151816/http://adage.com/article/digital/spotify-expands-ad-formats-sponsored-playlists/304174/ |url-status=live }}</ref> That September, Spotify announced that it had paid a total of over $5&nbsp;billion to the music industry. In June 2017, as part of renegotiated licenses with Universal Music Group and Merlin Network, Spotify's financial filings revealed its agreement to pay more than $2&nbsp;billion ({{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=2000000000|start_year=2017|r=-6|fmt=eq}}) in minimum payments over the next two years.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ingham |first=Tim |date=29 September 2016 |title=Spotify has already paid the music industry over $1.2bn this year |work=Music Business Worldwide |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-has-already-paid-the-music-business-1-2bn-this-year/ |access-date=28 May 2017 |archive-date=12 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612092424/https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-has-already-paid-the-music-business-1-2bn-this-year/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kafka |first=Peter |date=15 June 2017 |title=Spotify has guaranteed to pay big music labels billions over the next two years |url=https://www.recode.net/2017/6/15/15807382/spotify-revenue-2016-financials-guarantee-payment-universal-merlin |access-date=22 June 2017 |website=[[Recode]]  |archive-date=17 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170617112816/https://www.recode.net/2017/6/15/15807382/spotify-revenue-2016-financials-guarantee-payment-universal-merlin |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Turner |first1=Giles |last2=Shaw |first2=Lucas |date=15 June 2017 |title=Spotify's Loss More Than Doubles Even as User Growth Surges |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-06-15/spotify-losses-widen-after-music-site-flags-accounting-errors |access-date=22 June 2017 |website=Bloomberg Technology |publisher=[[Bloomberg L.P.]] |archive-date=22 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422164310/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-06-15/spotify-losses-widen-after-music-site-flags-accounting-errors |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{As of|2017}}, Spotify was not yet a profitable company.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Plummer |first=Robert |date=12 February 2017 |title=The clock is ticking for Spotify |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-38930699 |access-date=12 February 2017 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC |archive-date=12 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212032459/http://www.bbc.com/news/business-38930699 |url-status=live }}</ref> Spotify's revenue for Q1 2020 amounted to €1.85&nbsp;billion ($2&nbsp;billion). A large part of this sum, €1.7&nbsp;billion ($1.84&nbsp;billion), came from Spotify Premium subscribers. Gross profit in the same quarter amounted to €472&nbsp;million ($511&nbsp;million), with an operating loss of €17&nbsp;million ($18&nbsp;million).<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 December 2018 |title=Spotify Usage and Revenue Statistics (2020) |url=https://www.businessofapps.com/data/spotify-statistics/ |access-date=14 May 2020 |website=Business of Apps |archive-date=3 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603125727/https://www.businessofapps.com/data/spotify-statistics/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite subscriber and podcasts growth, during Q2 of 2020, Spotify reported a loss of €356&nbsp;million (€1.91 per share). The "deeper" loss came as a result of the company's tax debt to over one-third of its employees in Sweden.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Steele |first=Anne |date=29 July 2020 |title=Spotify Loss Deepens Despite Subscriber, Podcast Growth |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/spotify-loss-deepens-despite-subscriber-podcast-growth-11596016801?mod=business_lead_pos6 |access-date=29 July 2020 |archive-date=29 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729212758/https://www.wsj.com/articles/spotify-loss-deepens-despite-subscriber-podcast-growth-11596016801?mod=business_lead_pos6 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==== Funding ====
In February 2010, Spotify received a small investment from [[Founders Fund]], where board member [[Sean Parker]] was recruited to assist Spotify in "winning the labels over in the world's largest music market". In June 2011, Spotify secured $100&nbsp;million of funding ({{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=100000000|start_year=2011|r=-5|fmt=eq}}) and planned to use this to support its US launch.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Bradshaw |first1=Tim |last2=Menn |first2=Joseph |date=1 March 2010 |title=Spotify-MOG battle heats up |url=https://www.ft.com/content/7a289b4e-249b-11df-8be0-00144feab49a |access-date=22 January 2017 |website=[[Financial Times]] |publisher=[[The Nikkei]] |archive-date=6 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206124041/https://www.ft.com/content/7a289b4e-249b-11df-8be0-00144feab49a |url-status=live }}</ref> The new round of funding valued the company at $1&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 June 2011 |title=Spotify valued at $1bn, coming to US |url=http://www.investoo.co.uk/spotify-valued-at-1bn-coming-to-us/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325031236/http://www.investoo.co.uk/spotify-valued-at-1bn-coming-to-us/ |archive-date=25 March 2012 |access-date=7 November 2016 |website=Investoo}}</ref> A [[Goldman Sachs]]-led round of funding closed in November 2012, raising around $100&nbsp;million ({{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=100000000|start_year=2012|r=-5|fmt=eq}}) at a $3&nbsp;billion valuation ({{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=3000000000|start_year=2012|r=-6|fmt=eq}}). In April 2015, Spotify began another round of fundraising, with a report from ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' stating it was seeking $400&nbsp;million ({{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=400000000|start_year=2015|r=-5|fmt=eq}}), which would value the company at $8.4&nbsp;billion ({{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=8400000000|start_year=2015|r=-6|fmt=eq}}). The financing was closed in June 2015, with Spotify raising $526&nbsp;million ({{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=526000000|start_year=2015|r=-5|fmt=eq}}), at a value of $8.53&nbsp;billion ({{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=8530000000|start_year=2015|r=-6|fmt=eq}}).<ref>ref_176</ref> In January 2016, Spotify raised another $500&nbsp;million ({{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=500000000|start_year=2016|r=-5|fmt=eq}}) through convertible bonds. In March 2016, Spotify raised $1&nbsp;billion ({{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=1000000000|start_year=2016|r=-6|fmt=eq}}) in financing by debt plus a discount of 20% on shares once the [[initial public offering]] (IPO) of shares takes place.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=MacMillan |first1=Douglas |last2=Jarzemsky |first2=Matt |last3=Farrell |first3=Maureen |date=29 March 2016 |title=Spotify Raises $1 Billion in Debt Financing |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/spotify-raises-1-billion-in-debt-financing-1459284467 |access-date=9 November 2016 |website=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |archive-date=9 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109075343/http://www.wsj.com/articles/spotify-raises-1-billion-in-debt-financing-1459284467 |url-status=live }}{{subscription required}}</ref> The company was, according to ''[[TechCrunch]]'', planning to launch on the [[stock market]] in 2017, but in 2017 it was seen as planning on doing the IPO in 2018 to "build up a better balance sheet and work on shifting its business model to improve its margins".<ref name="tc-ipo">{{Cite web |last1=Lunden |first1=Ingrid |last2=Roof |first2=Katie |date=2 February 2017 |title=Sources: Spotify may delay IPO to 2018 as it rethinks licensing deals |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/02/02/sources-spotify-may-delay-ipo-to-2018-as-it-rethinks-licensing-deals/ |access-date=12 February 2017 |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=AOL |archive-date=13 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213163644/https://techcrunch.com/2017/02/02/sources-spotify-may-delay-ipo-to-2018-as-it-rethinks-licensing-deals/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Downloads ===
In March 2009, Spotify began offering [[music download]]s in the United Kingdom, France, and Spain. Users could purchase tracks from Spotify, which partnered with [[7digital]] to incorporate the feature. The ability to purchase and download music tracks via the app was removed on 4 January 2013.<ref name="No purchase" />
=== Spotify for Artists ===
In November 2015, Spotify introduced a "Fan Insights" panel in limited [[Software release life cycle|beta]] form, letting artists and managers access data on monthly listeners, geographical data, demographic information, music preferences and more.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dillett |first=Romain |date=17 November 2015 |title=Spotify Bets On Data To Lure Artists To Its Platform |url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/11/17/spotify-bets-on-data-to-lure-artists-to-its-platform/ |access-date=18 April 2017 |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=AOL |archive-date=19 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419103135/https://techcrunch.com/2015/11/17/spotify-bets-on-data-to-lure-artists-to-its-platform/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In April 2017, the panel was upgraded to leave beta status, renamed as "Spotify for Artists", and opened to all artists and managers. Additional features include the ability to get "verified" status with a blue checkmark on an artist's profile, receiving artist support from Spotify, customising the profile page with photos and promoting a certain song as their "pick".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Perez |first=Sarah |date=18 April 2017 |title=Spotify's artist dashboard exits beta, offering streaming insights, profile management & more |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/04/18/spotifys-artist-dashboard-exits-beta-offering-streaming-insights-profile-management-more/ |access-date=18 April 2017 |website=TechCrunch |publisher=AOL |archive-date=18 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418161500/https://techcrunch.com/2017/04/18/spotifys-artist-dashboard-exits-beta-offering-streaming-insights-profile-management-more/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Rys |first=Dan |date=18 April 2017 |title=Spotify Upgrades Fan Insights Feature to 'Spotify for Artists': Exclusive |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/7761970/spotify-upgrades-fan-insights-spotify-for-artists-exclusive |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=18 April 2017 |archive-date=19 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419131250/http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/7761970/spotify-upgrades-fan-insights-spotify-for-artists-exclusive |url-status=live }}</ref>
In September 2018, Spotify announced "Upload Beta", allowing artists to upload directly to the platform instead of going through a [[music industry|distributor]] or record label.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Deahl |first=Dani |date=20 September 2018 |title=Spotify will now let artists directly upload their music to the platform |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/20/17879840/spotify-artist-direct-upload-independent-music |access-date=10 April 2019 |website=The Verge |archive-date=10 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410092646/https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/20/17879840/spotify-artist-direct-upload-independent-music |url-status=live }}</ref> The feature was rolled out to a small number of US-based artists by invitation only. Uploading was free and artists received 100% of the revenue from songs they uploaded; artists were able to control when their release went public. On 1 July 2019, Spotify deprecated the program and announced plans to stop accepting direct uploads by the end of that month and eventually remove all content uploaded in this manner.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Darus |first=Alex |date=2 July 2019 |title=Spotify shuts down direct music uploading for independent artists |url=https://www.altpress.com/news/spotify-independent-artists-upload-music-streaming/ |access-date=3 July 2019 |website=Alternative Press |archive-date=6 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506113149/https://www.altpress.com/news/spotify-independent-artists-upload-music-streaming/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Industry initiatives ===
In June 2017, ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' reported that Spotify would announce "Secret Genius", a new initiative aimed at highlighting songwriters and producers, and the effect those people have on the music industry and the artists' careers. The project, which would feature awards, "Songshops" songwriting workshops, curated playlists, and podcasts, is an effort to "shine a light on these people behind the scenes who play such a big role in some of the most important moments of our lives. When the general public hears a song, they automatically associate it with the artist who sings it, not the people behind the scenes who make it happen, so we thought the title Secret Genius was appropriate", Spotify's former Global Head of Creator Services [[Troy Carter (talent manager)|Troy Carter]] told ''Variety'' the first awards ceremony would take place in late 2017,{{update inline|date=March 2019}} and was intended to honour "the top songwriters, producers and publishers in the industry as well as up-and-coming talent". Additionally, as part of "The Ambassador Program", 13 songwriters would each host a Songshop workshop, in which their peers would collaboratively attempt to create a hit song, with the first workshop taking place in Los Angeles in June 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aswad |first=Jem |date=8 June 2017 |title=Spotify Launches 'Secret Genius' Program to Celebrate Songwriters (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2017/music/news/exclusive-spotify-launches-secret-genius-for-songwriters-1202458229/ |access-date=9 June 2017 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |archive-date=8 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608135636/http://variety.com/2017/music/news/exclusive-spotify-launches-secret-genius-for-songwriters-1202458229/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In October 2017, Spotify launched "Rise", a program aimed at promoting emerging artists.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Perez |first=Sarah |date=20 October 2017 |title=Spotify launches RISE, a new emerging artist program |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/10/20/spotify-launches-a-rise-a-new-emerging-artist-program/ |access-date=7 December 2017 |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[Oath Inc.]] |archive-date=8 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208004119/https://techcrunch.com/2017/10/20/spotify-launches-a-rise-a-new-emerging-artist-program/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Krishna |first=Swapna |date=20 October 2017 |title=Spotify's RISE program will try to find future music superstars |url=https://www.engadget.com/2017/10/20/spotify-rise-emerging-artists/ |access-date=7 December 2017 |website=[[Engadget]] |publisher=Oath Inc. |archive-date=8 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208003756/https://www.engadget.com/2017/10/20/spotify-rise-emerging-artists/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In February 2020, Spotify announced it would be featuring new songwriter pages and 'written by' playlists. This was aimed at giving fans a behind the scenes look at the process of some of their favorite songwriters. Initial pages added included Justin Trantor, [[Meghan Trainor]], and [[Missy Elliott]]. Spotify thereafter announced it was planning to add more of these pages and playlists to highlight songwriters.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spotify rolls out Written By playlists as it expands support for songwriters and publishers |url=https://www.musicweek.com/digital/read/spotify-rolls-out-written-by-playlists-as-it-expands-support-for-songwriters-and-publishers/080354 |access-date=21 July 2020 |website=Music Week |archive-date=17 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717000027/https://www.musicweek.com/digital/read/spotify-rolls-out-written-by-playlists-as-it-expands-support-for-songwriters-and-publishers/080354 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=9 July 2020 |title=Spotify Adds Hundreds More Songwriter Pages and 'Written By' Playlists |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/9415812/spotify-adds-songwriter-pages-written-by-playlists |magazine=Billboard |access-date=21 July 2020 |archive-date=22 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722060348/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/9415812/spotify-adds-songwriter-pages-written-by-playlists |url-status=live }}</ref>
In January 2021, Spotify made a selection of audiobooks available on the platform as a test of developing a greater breadth of content for users.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 January 2021 |title=Spotify Tests Audiobooks With Classics Collection (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/spotify-tests-audiobooks-with-frankenstein-jane-eyre-and-other-literary-classics-exclusive |access-date=25 January 2021 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en |archive-date=25 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125151827/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/spotify-tests-audiobooks-with-frankenstein-jane-eyre-and-other-literary-classics-exclusive |url-status=live }}</ref> The addition of audiobooks to the service would create similar offerings to that of Amazon's [[Audible (service)|Audible]]. In 2020, Spotify partnered with [[Wizarding World]] to release a series of recorded readings of ''Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone,'' by various stars of the franchise.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carman |first=Ashley |date=5 May 2020 |title=Daniel Radcliffe and others are reading chapters of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone on video |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/5/21247804/harry-potter-daniel-radcliffe-reading-philosophers-stone-spotify-video |access-date=25 January 2021 |website=The Verge |language=en |archive-date=25 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125162056/https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/5/21247804/harry-potter-daniel-radcliffe-reading-philosophers-stone-spotify-video |url-status=live }}</ref> In November 2023, Spotify expanded free access to 200,000 audiobooks for Spotify Premium subscribers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vega |first=Nicolas |date=8 November 2023 |title=Spotify Premium subscribers can now listen to over 200,000 audiobooks for free |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/08/spotify-subscribers-can-now-listen-to-over-200000-audiobooks-for-free.html |access-date=9 November 2023 |publisher=CNBC |language=en |archive-date=9 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109063502/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/08/spotify-subscribers-can-now-listen-to-over-200000-audiobooks-for-free.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In April 2024, Spotify expanded access to the audiobooks from the US, UK and Australia to include Canada, Ireland and New Zealand. The company also announced an expansion of its book catalogue to 250,000 books.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Malik |first1=Aisha |title=Spotify brings its audiobooks perk for Premium users to Canada, Ireland and New Zealand |url=https://techcrunch.com/2024/04/02/spotify-free-audiobooks-perk-for-premium-canada-ireland-new-zealand/ |website=TechCrunch |access-date=2 April 2024 |date=2 April 2024}}</ref>
=== Stations by Spotify ===
On 31 January 2018, Spotify started testing a new [[Pandora Radio|Pandora]]-styled standalone app called Stations by Spotify for Australian Android users.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Spotify's new Stations app is all about playlists without any of the faff |work=Alphr |url=http://www.alphr.com/spotify/1008362/spotify-stations-app-playlists |access-date=25 May 2018 |archive-date=25 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180525205237/http://www.alphr.com/spotify/1008362/spotify-stations-app-playlists |url-status=live }}</ref> It featured 62 music channels, each devoted to a particular genre. Spotify itself has two channels named after its playlists that link directly to the users' profile: "Release Radar" and "Discover Weekly". The aim was to help users to listen to the music they want without [[information overload]] or spending time building their own playlists. At launch, the skipping feature was not featured to "reinforce the feel of radio", but it was quietly added later and with no limits. Songs can be "loved" but cannot be "hated". If a song is "loved", a custom radio channel will be created based on it, and when there are at least 15 of these songs, a "My Favourites" channel is unlocked.
The standalone app was made available to all iOS and Android users in the United States since 4 June 2019.<ref>[https://www.theverge.com/2019/6/4/18651865/spotify-stations-ios-release-date-news-features-australia-playlists Spotify Stations is now available in the US] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116231700/https://www.theverge.com/2019/6/4/18651865/spotify-stations-ios-release-date-news-features-australia-playlists/ |date=16 January 2021 }}&nbsp;– ''[[The Verge]]'' (published 4 June 2019)</ref>
Spotify announced the app would be shut down on 16 May 2022. The company said users would be able to login into the main Spotify app with their Stations account and transfer their stations into Spotify.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lawler |first=Richard |date=6 May 2022 |title=Spotify will shut down its radio-like listening app Stations on May 16th |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/5/6/23060239/spotify-stations-experiment-may-16th-radio-pandora |access-date=7 May 2022 |website=The Verge |archive-date=6 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506202340/https://www.theverge.com/2022/5/6/23060239/spotify-stations-experiment-may-16th-radio-pandora |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Platforms ==
{{Infobox software
| name = Spotify
| logo = File:Spotify App Logo.svg
| logo size = 150px
| screenshot = Spotify for Android screenshot.png
| screenshot_size = 220px
| caption = Screenshot of Spotify on [[Android (operating system)|Android]] (January 2024), showcasing the app's Home tab.
| collapsible = yes
| developer = Spotify AB
| released = {{start date|df=yes|2008|10|7}}
| ver layout = stacked
| language count = 74
| language footnote = <ref>{{Cite magazine |date=16 May 2023 |title=Spotify Is Now Available in 74 Languages Around the World |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/spotify-available-74-languages/ |access-date=31 August 2023 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-date=31 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230831204844/https://www.billboard.com/pro/spotify-available-74-languages/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| language = English, Arabic, Chinese, Hebrew, Hungarian, Czech, German, Spanish, International Spanish, Finnish, French, Canadian French, Greek, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Malay, Dutch, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Swedish, Thai, Turkish, Vietnamese,
Afrikaans, Amharic, Azerbaijani, Basque, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Bulgarian, Bosnian, Simplified Chinese, Croatian, Danish, Estonian, Filipino, Galician, Gujarati, Hindi, Icelandic, Kannada, Latvian, Lithuanian, Macedonian, Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Norwegian, Odia, Persian, Portuguese, Eastern Punjabi, Western Punjabi, Romanian, Serbian, Slovak, Slovenian, Swahili, Tamil, Telugu, Ukrainian, Urdu, Zulu
| programming language = Primarily [[Python (programming language)|Python]], with some [[Java (programming language)|Java]], [[C (programming language)|C]], and [[C++]] components<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 March 2013 |title=How we use Python at Spotify |url=https://labs.spotify.com/2013/03/20/how-we-use-python-at-spotify/ |access-date=8 March 2017 |website=Spotify Labs |publisher=Spotify |archive-date=10 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610005143/https://labs.spotify.com/2013/03/20/how-we-use-python-at-spotify/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| operating system = {{Plain list|
* [[Android (operating system)|Android]]
* [[Android Auto]]
* [[Android TV]]
* [[ChromeOS]]
* [[Wear OS]]
* [[watchOS]]
* [[Fitbit|Fitbit OS]]
* [[iOS]]
* [[iPadOS]]
* [[CarPlay]]
* [[macOS]]
* [[tvOS]]
* [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]
* [[Windows Phone]]
* [[Linux]]
* [[PlayStation 3]]
* [[PlayStation 4]]
* [[PlayStation 5]]
* [[Xbox One]]
* [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]]
}}
| genre = [[Streaming media|Music streaming]], [[List of podcast clients|podcast player]]
| license = Proprietary
}}
Spotify has client software currently available for [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[macOS]], [[Wear OS]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[iOS]], [[watchOS]], [[iPadOS]], [[PlayStation 3]], [[PlayStation 4]], [[PlayStation 5]], [[Xbox One]] and [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]] game consoles. There is an official, although unsupported Linux version. Spotify also offers a proprietary protocol known as "Spotify Connect", which lets users listen to music through a wide range of entertainment systems, including speakers, receivers, TVs, cars, and smartwatches. Spotify also has a web player (open.spotify.com).<ref name="Web player" /> Offline Music listening is possible on watchOS<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spotify on Apple Watch |url=https://support.spotify.com/us/article/spotify-on-apple-watch/ |access-date=6 July 2022 |website=Spotify |language=en-US |archive-date=6 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706195443/https://support.spotify.com/us/article/spotify-on-apple-watch/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and more recently added to Google's WearOS<ref>{{Cite web |first=Chris |last=Wedel |date=2 September 2021 |title=How to use Spotify offline on Wear OS 3 watches |url=https://www.androidcentral.com/how-use-spotify-offline-wear-os-3-watches |access-date=6 July 2022 |website=Android Central |language=en |archive-date=6 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706195443/https://www.androidcentral.com/how-use-spotify-offline-wear-os-3-watches |url-status=live }}</ref> for those with premium subscriptions. Unlike the apps, the web player does not have the ability to download music for offline listening. In June 2017, Spotify became available as an app through [[Windows Store]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Warren |first=Tom |date=20 June 2017 |title=Spotify is now available in the Windows Store |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/6/20/15840992/spotify-windows-store-app-download |access-date=20 June 2017 |website=[[The Verge]]  |archive-date=14 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414044434/https://www.theverge.com/2017/6/20/15840992/spotify-windows-store-app-download |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Weir |first=Andy |date=20 June 2017 |title=Spotify for Windows 10 PCs appears in the Windows Store, but you can't have it... [Update: Oh yes, you can!] |url=https://www.neowin.net/news/spotify-for-windows-10-pcs-appears-in-the-windows-store-but-you-can039t-have-it-yet |access-date=20 June 2017 |website=[[Neowin]] |archive-date=20 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620162442/https://www.neowin.net/news/spotify-for-windows-10-pcs-appears-in-the-windows-store-but-you-can039t-have-it-yet |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Features ===
[[File:Spotify Screenshot Windows.png|alt=It is showing an album from Kevin MacLeod, and also the playlist queue, as the playlist queue is no longer fullscreen when opened. It's now a sidebar.|left|thumb|Spotify Desktop Client running on Windows]]In Spotify's apps, music can be browsed or searched for via various parameters, such as artist, album, genre, [[playlist]], or record label. Users can create, edit and share playlists, share tracks on social media, and make playlists with other users. Spotify provides access to over 100 million songs, 5&nbsp;million podcasts, and 4&nbsp;billion playlists. In June 2012, Soundrop became the first Spotify app to attract major funding, receiving $3&nbsp;million ({{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=3000000|start_year=2012|r=-3|fmt=eq}}) from Spotify investor Northzone.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 October 2016 |title=Spotify vs. Apple Music: Which service is the streaming king? |url=http://www.digitaltrends.com/music/apple-music-vs-spotify/ |access-date=14 November 2016 |website=[[Digital Trends]] |archive-date=7 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107223931/http://www.digitaltrends.com/music/apple-music-vs-spotify/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Jon |date=2 March 2017 |title=Spotify Reaches 50 Million Paying Users |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/03/02/spotify-50-million/ |access-date=6 June 2017 |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=AOL |archive-date=27 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427184514/https://techcrunch.com/2017/03/02/spotify-50-million/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Spotify company info2" />
In November 2011, Spotify introduced a Spotify Apps service that made it possible for third-party developers to design applications that could be hosted within the Spotify computer software. The applications provided features such as synchronised lyrics, music reviews, and song recommendations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dredge |first=Stuart |date=30 November 2011 |title=Spotify amps up iTunes rivalry with its own apps platform |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2011/nov/30/spotify-apps-platform |access-date=8 November 2016 |website=The Guardian |archive-date=6 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206124143/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/appsblog/2011/nov/30/spotify-apps-platform |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cheredar |first=Tom |date=12 June 2012 |title=Even Spotify apps are getting funded: Soundrop raises $3M to turn music social |url=https://venturebeat.com/2012/06/12/soundrop/ |access-date=8 November 2016 |website=[[VentureBeat]] |archive-date=10 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110034410/http://venturebeat.com/2012/06/12/soundrop/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lunden |first=Ingrid |date=11 June 2012 |title=Spotify App Soundrop Tunes Into First Investment: $3M From Spotify Lead Backer Northzone |url=https://techcrunch.com/2012/06/11/spotify-app-soundrop-tunes-into-first-investment-3m-from-spotify-lead-backer-northzone/ |access-date=8 November 2016 |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=AOL |archive-date=9 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109083916/https://techcrunch.com/2012/06/11/spotify-app-soundrop-tunes-into-first-investment-3m-from-spotify-lead-backer-northzone/ |url-status=live }}</ref> However, after the June 2014 announcement of a Web [[API]] that allowed third-party developers to integrate Spotify content in their own web applications, the company discontinued its Spotify Apps platform in October, stating that its new development tools for the Spotify web player fulfilled many of the advantages of the former Spotify Apps service that allows users to access the service directly from their web browser without downloading the app.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lunden |first=Ingrid |date=13 November 2014 |title=Spotify Axes App Finder, Kills Soundrop and Its Listening Rooms |url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/11/13/rip-spotify-apps-rip-soundrop/ |access-date=8 November 2016 |website=TechCrunch |publisher=AOL |archive-date=9 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109083743/https://techcrunch.com/2014/11/13/rip-spotify-apps-rip-soundrop/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In April 2012, Spotify introduced a "Spotify Play Button", an embeddable music player that can be added to blogs, websites, or social media profiles, that lets visitors listen to a specific song, playlist, or album without leaving the page.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Constine |first=Josh |date=11 April 2012 |title=Spotify's New Embeddable Play Button Lets Any Site Turn You On To Legal Tunes |url=https://techcrunch.com/2012/04/11/spotify-play-button/ |access-date=13 November 2016 |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[AOL]] |archive-date=13 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161113175437/https://techcrunch.com/2012/04/11/spotify-play-button/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The following November, the company began rolling out a web player, with a similar design to its computer programs, but without the requirement of any installation.<ref name="Web player">{{Cite web |last=Hamburger |first=Ellis |date=15 November 2012 |title=Spotify to begin rolling out browser-based music app in beta today |url=https://www.theverge.com/2012/11/15/3649068/spotify-browser-player-web-app |access-date=13 November 2016 |website=[[The Verge]]  |archive-date=11 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111040254/http://www.theverge.com/2012/11/15/3649068/spotify-browser-player-web-app |url-status=live }}</ref>
In December 2012, Spotify introduced a "Follow" tab and a "Discover" tab,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spotify Improves Music Discovery, Social Features |url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/technology/2012/12/spotify-improves-music-discovery-social-features |access-date=17 July 2023 |website=ABC News |archive-date=17 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717204536/https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/technology/2012/12/spotify-improves-music-discovery-social-features |url-status=live }}</ref> along with a "Collection" section.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spotify Launches Influencer Following Music Graph, Collection, And Instant Previews To Aid Discovery |url=https://techcrunch.com/2012/12/06/spotify-following/ |access-date=17 July 2023 |website=TechCrunch |date=6 December 2012 |archive-date=17 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717204545/https://techcrunch.com/2012/12/06/spotify-following/ |url-status=live }}</ref> "Follow" lets users follow artists and friends to see what they are listening to, while "Discover" directs users to new releases as well as music, review, and concert recommendations based on listening history. Users can add tracks to a "Collection" section of the app, rather than adding them to a specific playlist.<ref name="verge-collection">{{Cite web |last=Hamburger |first=Ellis |date=6 December 2012 |title=Spotify debuts new Discovery engine, Collection, and Follow, which lets users follow friends and celebrities |url=https://www.theverge.com/2012/12/6/3736018/spotify-debuts-new-discovery-engine-collection-and-follow-which-lets |access-date=6 June 2017 |website=[[The Verge]]  |archive-date=24 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224200904/http://www.theverge.com/2012/12/6/3736018/spotify-debuts-new-discovery-engine-collection-and-follow-which-lets |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Warren |first=Christina |date=6 December 2012 |title=Spotify Wants to Make Music Discovery Truly Social |url=http://mashable.com/2012/12/06/spotify-social-discovery/ |access-date=6 June 2017 |website=[[Mashable]] |archive-date=26 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170526104115/http://mashable.com/2012/12/06/spotify-social-discovery/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The features were announced by CEO Daniel Ek at a press conference, with Ek saying that a common user complaint about the service was that "Spotify is great when you know what music you want to listen to, but not when you don't".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Lanxon |first=Nate |date=6 December 2012 |title=Spotify announces major updates to service, gets Metallica catalogue |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2012-12/06/spotify |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121209203636/http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2012-12/06/spotify |archive-date=9 December 2012 |access-date=9 November 2016}}</ref>
In May 2015, Spotify announced a new "Home" start-page that could recommend music. The company also introduced "Spotify Running", a feature aimed at improving music while running with music matched to running tempo, and announced that [[podcast]]s and videos ("entertainment, news and clips") would be coming to Spotify, along with "Spotify Originals" content.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Welch |first=Chris |date=20 May 2015 |title=Spotify now does videos and podcasts |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/5/20/8629335/spotify-adds-podcasts-videos |access-date=9 November 2016 |website=[[The Verge]]  |archive-date=10 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110105539/http://www.theverge.com/2015/5/20/8629335/spotify-adds-podcasts-videos |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Moynihan |first=Tim |date=20 May 2017 |title=Here are all the new features packed inside Spotify |url=https://www.wired.com/2015/05/new-features-packed-inside-spotify/ |journal=[[Wired (website)|Wired]] |access-date=6 June 2017 |archive-date=22 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222124042/https://www.wired.com/2015/05/new-features-packed-inside-spotify/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Crook |first=Jordan |date=20 May 2015 |title=Spotify Introduces Video Clips, Podcasts, And Activity-Based Playlists |url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/05/20/spotify-introduces-video-clips-podcasts-and-activity-based-playlists/ |access-date=6 June 2017 |website=TechCrunch |publisher=AOL |archive-date=7 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707124137/https://techcrunch.com/2015/05/20/spotify-introduces-video-clips-podcasts-and-activity-based-playlists/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In December 2015, Spotify debuted [[Spotify Wrapped]], a program that creates playlists based on each user's most listened-to songs from the year. Users then can view and save this playlist at the end of the year.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 December 2020 |title=How Spotify Wrapped Has Evolved Over The Years |url=https://screenrant.com/spotify-wrapped-stats-features-evolution/ |access-date=5 April 2021 |website=ScreenRant |language=en-US |archive-date=20 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120201821/https://screenrant.com/spotify-wrapped-stats-features-evolution/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Swant |first=Marty |title=Spotify Rolls Out New 'Wrapped' Campaign To Help Users Remember Their Decade Of Music |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/martyswant/2019/12/17/spotify-rolls-out-new-wrapped-campaign-help-users-remember-their-decade-of-music/ |access-date=5 April 2021 |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=15 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115214658/https://www.forbes.com/sites/martyswant/2019/12/17/spotify-rolls-out-new-wrapped-campaign-help-users-remember-their-decade-of-music/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In January 2016, Spotify and music annotation service [[Genius (website)|Genius]] formed a partnership, bringing annotation information from Genius into infocards presented while songs are playing in Spotify. The functionality is limited to selected playlists and was only available on Spotify's iOS app at launch,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lunden |first=Ingrid |date=12 January 2016 |title=Spotify And Genius Team To Stream The Backstory On Music Tracks |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/01/12/spotify-teams-with-genius-to-annotate-music-tracks/ |access-date=30 March 2017 |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=AOL |archive-date=31 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331031342/https://techcrunch.com/2016/01/12/spotify-teams-with-genius-to-annotate-music-tracks/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kulwin |first=Noah |date=12 January 2016 |title=Spotify Adds 'Behind the Lyrics' Playlists, Powered by Lyrics Site Genius |url=https://www.recode.net/2016/1/12/11588702/spotify-adds-behind-the-lyrics-playlists-powered-by-lyrics-site-genius |access-date=30 March 2017 |website=[[Recode]]  |archive-date=31 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331025550/https://www.recode.net/2016/1/12/11588702/spotify-adds-behind-the-lyrics-playlists-powered-by-lyrics-site-genius |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cox |first=Jamieson |date=12 January 2016 |title=Spotify and Genius are collaborating on info-rich Behind the Lyrics playlists |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/1/12/10750990/spotify-genius-behind-the-lyrics-playlists-iphone |access-date=30 March 2017 |website=[[The Verge]] |archive-date=31 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331030056/http://www.theverge.com/2016/1/12/10750990/spotify-genius-behind-the-lyrics-playlists-iphone |url-status=live }}</ref> being expanded to the Android app in April 2017. This feature was known as "Behind the Lyrics".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Perez |first=Sarah |date=25 April 2017 |title=Spotify brings 'Behind the Lyrics' to Android |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/04/25/spotify-brings-its-behind-the-lyrics-annotations-to-android/ |access-date=25 April 2017 |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=AOL |archive-date=25 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425172230/https://techcrunch.com/2017/04/25/spotify-brings-its-behind-the-lyrics-annotations-to-android/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dalton |first=Andrew |date=25 April 2017 |title=Spotify took its sweet time getting Behind the Lyrics on Android |url=https://www.engadget.com/2017/04/25/spotify-behind-the-lyrics-on-android/ |access-date=25 April 2017 |website=[[Engadget]] |publisher=AOL |archive-date=25 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425214452/https://www.engadget.com/2017/04/25/spotify-behind-the-lyrics-on-android/ |url-status=live }}</ref> {{As of|2021|11|18|post=,}} "Behind the Lyrics" has been replaced with auto-generated real-time lyrics due to consumer demand. The feature is powered by lyrics provider Musixmatch.<ref>[https://techcrunch.com/2021/11/18/spotify-finally-rolls-out-real-time-lyrics-to-global-users/ Spotify finally rolls out real-time lyrics to global users] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327064001/https://techcrunch.com/2021/11/18/spotify-finally-rolls-out-real-time-lyrics-to-global-users/ |date=27 March 2022 }}&nbsp;– ''TechCrunch'' (published 18 November 2021)</ref>
In May 2017, Spotify introduced Spotify Codes for its mobile apps, a way for users to share specific artists, tracks, playlists or albums with other people. Users find the relevant content to share and press a "soundwave-style barcode" on the display. A camera icon in the apps' search fields lets other users point their device's camera at the code, which takes them to the same content.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Garun |first=Natt |date=5 May 2017 |title=Spotify adds QR-like codes for quick music sharing |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/5/15562198/spotify-scannable-codes-music-sharing-mobile |access-date=6 May 2017 |website=[[The Verge]]  |archive-date=5 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170505223120/https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/5/15562198/spotify-scannable-codes-music-sharing-mobile |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Constine |first=Josh |date=5 May 2017 |title=Scan these new QR-style Spotify Codes to instantly play a song |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/05/05/spotify-codes/ |access-date=6 May 2017 |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=AOL |archive-date=6 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170506075451/https://techcrunch.com/2017/05/05/spotify-codes/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Bryan |date=5 May 2017 |title=Spotify Codes bring Snapchat-like QR codes to music streaming |url=https://thenextweb.com/insider/2017/05/05/spotify-codes-bring-snapchat-like-qr-codes-to-music-streaming/ |access-date=6 May 2017 |website=The Next Web |archive-date=6 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170506092243/https://thenextweb.com/insider/2017/05/05/spotify-codes-bring-snapchat-like-qr-codes-to-music-streaming/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In January 2019, Spotify introduced Car View for Android, allowing devices running Android to have a compact Now Playing screen when the device is connected to a car's Bluetooth.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 January 2019 |title=[Update: Rolling out as 'Car View'] Spotify tests stripped-down "Safety Mode" UI when connected to Bluetooth devices |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/spotify-safety-mode-ui-bluetooth/ |access-date=19 January 2019 |website=xda-developers |archive-date=19 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119121150/https://www.xda-developers.com/spotify-safety-mode-ui-bluetooth/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Welch |first=Chris |date=16 January 2019 |title=Spotify launches a simplified Car View for controlling your music while driving |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/1/16/18185644/spotify-car-view-now-testing-android-simple-controls |access-date=19 January 2019 |website=The Verge |archive-date=19 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119174208/https://www.theverge.com/2019/1/16/18185644/spotify-car-view-now-testing-android-simple-controls |url-status=live }}</ref> Also in January 2019, Spotify beta-tested its Canvas feature, where artists or labels can upload looping 3 to 8-second moving visuals to their tracks, replacing album covers in the "Now Playing" view; users have the option to turn off this feature. Canvas is only available for Spotify's iOS and Android mobile apps.<ref>[https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2019/01/with-spotify-canvas-artists-can-add-moving-visuals-to-tracks.html With Spotify Canvas, Artists Add Moving Visuals To Tracks] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202001457/https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2019/01/with-spotify-canvas-artists-can-add-moving-visuals-to-tracks.html |date=2 February 2019 }}&nbsp;– Hyperbot.com (published 31 January 2019)</ref> Months later, Spotify tested its own version of stories (the sharing format popularized by social apps) known as "Storyline", and the focus is on allowing artists to share their own insights, inspiration, details about their creative process or other meanings behind the music.<ref>[https://techcrunch.com/2019/05/13/spotify-is-testing-its-own-version-of-stories-called-storyline/ Spotify is testing its own version of Stories called 'Storyline'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223173042/https://techcrunch.com/2019/05/13/spotify-is-testing-its-own-version-of-stories-called-storyline/ |date=23 February 2022 }}&nbsp;– ''TechCrunch'' (published 13 May 2019)</ref>
In March 2021, Spotify announced an upcoming option for higher-resolution sound, Spotify Hi-Fi.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Richardson |first=Mark |date=8 March 2021 |title=Streaming for Audiophiles |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/streaming-for-audiophiles-11615243830?mod=tech_lista_pos2 |access-date=11 March 2021 |archive-date=10 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310230149/https://www.wsj.com/articles/streaming-for-audiophiles-11615243830?mod=tech_lista_pos2 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==== Playlists and discovery ====
In July 2015, Spotify launched Discover Weekly, a playlist generated weekly. Updated on Mondays, it provides users with music recommendations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kokalitcheva |first=Kia |date=20 July 2015 |title=Spotify's new feature will help you fight the Monday blues |url=http://fortune.com/2015/07/20/spotify-discovery-playlists/ |access-date=6 June 2017 |website=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]] |archive-date=26 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126012656/http://fortune.com/2015/07/20/spotify-discovery-playlists/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dredge |first=Stuart |date=20 July 2015 |title=Spotify bites back at Apple Music with weekly 'mixtape' playlist for each user |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jul/20/spotify-apple-music-weekly-mixtape-playlist |access-date=6 June 2017 |website=[[The Guardian]] |archive-date=25 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125193700/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jul/20/spotify-apple-music-weekly-mixtape-playlist |url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2015, ''[[Quartz (publication)|Quartz]]'' reported that songs in Discover Weekly playlists had been streamed 1.7&nbsp;billion times.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pasick |first=Adam |date=21 December 2015 |title=The magic that makes Spotify's Discover Weekly playlists so damn good |url=http://qz.com/571007/the-magic-that-makes-spotifys-discover-weekly-playlists-so-damn-good/ |access-date=11 December 2016 |website=[[Quartz (publication)|Quartz]] |archive-date=3 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161203090004/http://qz.com/571007/the-magic-that-makes-spotifys-discover-weekly-playlists-so-damn-good/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
In March 2016, Spotify launched six playlists branded as Fresh Finds, including the main playlist and Fire Emoji, Basement, Hiptronix, Six Strings, and Cyclone (hip-hop, electronic, pop, guitar-driven, and experimental music respectively). The playlists spotlight songs by lesser-known musicians and their songs.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Spotify now has even more playlists to help you find hot new music |work=Business Insider |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/spotify-introduces-fresh-finds-playlists-2016-3 |access-date=10 June 2018 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143123/http://www.businessinsider.com/spotify-introduces-fresh-finds-playlists-2016-3 |url-status=live}}</ref>
In August 2016, Spotify launched Release Radar, a personalized playlist that allows users to stay up-to-date on new music released by the artists they listen to the most. It also helps users discover new music, by mixing in other artists' music. The playlist is updated every Friday, and is a maximum of two hours in length.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Popper |first=Ben |date=5 August 2016 |title=Spotify's Release Radar is a personalized playlist of brand-new music |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/8/5/12380816/spotify-release-radar-personalized-discovery-curation |access-date=15 March 2017 |website=[[The Verge]]  |archive-date=15 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315175313/http://www.theverge.com/2016/8/5/12380816/spotify-release-radar-personalized-discovery-curation |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Constine |first=Josh |date=5 August 2016 |title=Spotify follows Discover Weekly with personalized new releases playlist |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/08/05/spotify-release-radar/ |access-date=15 March 2017 |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=AOL |archive-date=15 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315174825/https://techcrunch.com/2016/08/05/spotify-release-radar/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
Spotify provides artists taking part in RADAR with resources and access to integrated marketing opportunities to help them boost their careers, in addition to expanded reach and exposure to 178 markets worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 May 2021 |title=The Tea with AleXa: An Exclusive Interview with the K-Pop Sensation! |url=https://www.el-shai.com/alexa-exclusive-interview-with-the-k-pop-sensation/ |access-date=3 October 2021 |website=El-Shai |language=en-US |archive-date=3 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003200112/https://www.el-shai.com/alexa-exclusive-interview-with-the-k-pop-sensation/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2016, Spotify introduced its Daily Mix feature, which creates playlists of music that a user has previously listened to on the platform.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kafka |first1=Peter |title=Spotify rolls out Daily Mixes&nbsp;— auto-generated playlists made up of songs you already like |url=https://www.vox.com/2016/9/27/13070726/spotify-daily-mix-playlist |website=Vox |date=27 September 2016 |access-date=8 June 2024}}</ref>
In 2017, Spotify introduced RapCaviar, a hip-hop playlist.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 July 2019 |title=Apple Music takes on Spotify's influential RapCaviar brand with Rap Life playlist and weekly show |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/apple-music-takes-on-spotifys-influential-rapcaviar-with-rap-life-playlist-and-weekly-show/ |website=Music Business Worldwide |access-date=15 March 2020 |archive-date=17 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017204736/https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/apple-music-takes-on-spotifys-influential-rapcaviar-with-rap-life-playlist-and-weekly-show/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Marks |first=Craig |date=September 2017 |title=How a Hit Happens Now |url=https://www.vulture.com/2017/09/spotify-rapcaviar-most-influential-playlist-in-music.html |access-date=28 April 2020 |website=Vulture |archive-date=24 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424040604/https://www.vulture.com/2017/09/spotify-rapcaviar-most-influential-playlist-in-music.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Rap Caviar had 10.9&nbsp;million followers by 2019, becoming one of Spotify's Top 5 playlists.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 February 2018 |title=What is Rap Caviar on Spotify? |url=https://routenote.com/blog/rap-caviar-spotify/ |access-date=23 September 2020 |archive-date=22 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022062810/https://routenote.com/blog/rap-caviar-spotify/ |url-status=live}}</ref> RapCaviar was originally curated by Tuma Basa.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meet Tuma Basa, The Mastermind Behind Spotify's 'Rap Caviar' Playlist |url=https://genius.com/a/meet-tuma-basa-the-mastermind-behind-spotify-s-rap-caviar-playlist |website=Genius |access-date=15 March 2020 |archive-date=12 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712033918/https://genius.com/a/meet-tuma-basa-the-mastermind-behind-spotify-s-rap-caviar-playlist |url-status=live}}</ref> It was relaunched by Carl Chery in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spotify sculpts Cardi B, other hip-hop stars for latest RapCaviar pantheon |url=https://www.marketingdive.com/news/spotify-sculpts-cardi-b-other-hip-hop-stars-for-latest-rapcaviar-pantheon/551795/ |website=Marketing Dive |access-date=15 March 2020 |archive-date=18 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618180111/https://www.marketingdive.com/news/spotify-sculpts-cardi-b-other-hip-hop-stars-for-latest-rapcaviar-pantheon/551795/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
In June 2019, Spotify launched a custom playlist titled "Your Daily Drive" that closely replicates the [[drive time]] format of many traditional radio stations. It combines short-form podcast news updates from ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'', [[NPR]], and [[Public Radio International|PRI]] with a mix of a user's favorite songs and artists interspersed with tracks the listener has yet to discover. "Your Daily Drive", which is found in a user's library under the "Made For You" section, updates throughout the day.<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/177736/spotify-launches-your-daily-drive-with-custom-music-and-news-updates/ Spotify Launches Your Daily Drive With Custom Music And News Updates] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108082928/https://radioinsight.com/headlines/177736/spotify-launches-your-daily-drive-with-custom-music-and-news-updates/ |date=8 November 2021}}&nbsp;– ''Radio Insight'' (published 12 June 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2019)</ref> In May 2020, Spotify introduced the Group Session feature. This feature allows two or more Premium users in the same location to share control over the music that is being played.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clover |first=Juli |title=Spotify Gains New 'Group Session' Feature With Shared Listening Queue |url=https://www.macrumors.com/2020/05/11/spotify-adds-group-session-feature/ |access-date=12 May 2020 |website=Mac Rumors |date=11 May 2020 |archive-date=16 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516191139/https://www.macrumors.com/2020/05/11/spotify-adds-group-session-feature/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The Group Session feature was later expanded to allow any Premium user to join/participate in a Group Session, with a special link the host can send to participants.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 July 2020 |title=Your Squad Can Now Stream Simultaneously Using Spotify's Group Session Beta |url=https://newsroom.spotify.com/2020-07-28/your-squad-can-now-stream-simultaneously-using-spotifys-group-session-beta/ |access-date=10 May 2021 |website=Spotify Newsroom |language=en-US |archive-date=9 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509190748/https://newsroom.spotify.com/2020-07-28/your-squad-can-now-stream-simultaneously-using-spotifys-group-session-beta/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
In July 2021, Spotify launched the "What's New" feed, a section that collects all new releases and episodes from artists and podcasts that the user follows. The feature is represented by a bell icon on the app's main page and is available on iOS and Android.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 July 2021 |title=Spotify adds What's New feed for all the music and podcasts you follow |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/7/27/22595581/spotify-whats-new-feed-podcasts-artists-follow |access-date=27 July 2021 |website=The Verge |language=en-US |archive-date=27 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727083204/https://www.theverge.com/2021/7/27/22595581/spotify-whats-new-feed-podcasts-artists-follow |url-status=live}}</ref>
In November 2021, Spotify launched the City and Local Pulse charts, aimed at representing the songs listened to in major cities around the world. The charts are available for 200 cities with the most listeners on Spotify.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aswad |first=Jem |date=10 November 2021 |title=Spotify Expands Charts to Include Genre and Local Categories |url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/spotify-charts-genre-local-1235108909/ |access-date=12 November 2021 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=24 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124063849/https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/spotify-charts-genre-local-1235108909/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2023, Spotify launched additional features to help independent artists distributing their music on the platform reach a wider array of potential fans. One such feature is a tool that Spotify rolled out in March 2023, called "Discovery Mode". Discovery Mode allows artists who meet certain criteria and have a Spotify For Artists account to submit qualifying songs for Spotify's in-house promotion services. Spotify helps place songs campaigned through Discovery Mode on listeners' personal algorithmic playlists. Discovery Mode does not require an upfront budget. Instead, a 30% commission is applied to recording royalties generated from all streams of selected songs in Discovery Mode contexts—Spotify Radio and Autoplay. All other streams of selected songs outside of Spotify Radio and Autoplay remain commission-free.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://artists.spotify.com/discovery-mode|title=Discovery Mode&nbsp;– Spotify for Artists|website=artists.spotify.com|access-date=11 May 2023|archive-date=11 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511085126/https://artists.spotify.com/discovery-mode|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2023, Spotify introduced its latest playlist update 'Daylist', a new kind of playlist which adapts to the user's mood throughout the day.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spotify rafraîchit la playlist Daylist tout au long de la journée |url=https://www.journaldugeek.com/2023/09/18/spotify-rafraichit-la-playlist-daylist-tout-au-long-de-la-journee/ |access-date=21 September 2023 |website=Journal du Geek |date=18 September 2023 |archive-date=5 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305105129/https://www.journaldugeek.com/2023/09/18/spotify-rafraichit-la-playlist-daylist-tout-au-long-de-la-journee/ |url-status=live |language=french}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Spotify launches Daylist, a new kind of playlist |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/tech/spotify-daylist-launch-new-playlist-feature-b1106393.html |access-date=21 September 2023 |website=Evening Standard |date=12 September 2023 |archive-date=18 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918182939/https://www.standard.co.uk/tech/spotify-daylist-launch-new-playlist-feature-b1106393.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Listening limitations ===
Spotify has experimented with different limitations to users' listening on the Free service tier.
In April 2011, Spotify announced via a blog post that they would drastically cut the amount of music that free members could access, effective 1 May 2011. The post stated that all free members would be limited to ten hours of music streaming per month, and in addition, individual tracks were limited to five plays. New users were exempt from these changes for six months.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Butcher |first=Mike |date=14 April 2011 |title=Spotify takes the axe to its free service&nbsp;– can it now claim to slash music piracy? |url=https://techcrunch.com/2011/04/14/spotify-takes-the-axe-to-its-free-service-can-it-now-claim-to-slash-music-piracy/ |access-date=2 June 2017 |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=AOL |archive-date=14 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614085717/https://techcrunch.com/2011/04/14/spotify-takes-the-axe-to-its-free-service-can-it-now-claim-to-slash-music-piracy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2013, the five-play individual track limit was removed for users in the United Kingdom, and media reports stated that users in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand never had the limit in the first place.<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Hear |first=Steve |date=19 March 2013 |title=Spotify Ditches Its 5 Play Limit For Spotify Free Users In The UK |url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/03/19/spotify-freetards/ |access-date=2 June 2017 |website=TechCrunch |publisher=AOL |archive-date=4 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704015953/https://techcrunch.com/2013/03/19/spotify-freetards/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Richmond |first=Shane |date=19 March 2013 |title=Spotify removes five-play song cap |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/9940432/Spotify-removes-five-play-song-cap.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/9940432/Spotify-removes-five-play-song-cap.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |access-date=2 June 2017 |website=[[The Daily Telegraph]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
In December 2013, CEO Daniel Ek announced that Android and iOS smartphone users with the free service tier could listen to music in Shuffle mode, a feature in which users can stream music by specific artists and playlists without being able to pick which songs to hear. Mobile listening previously was not allowed in Spotify Free accounts. Ek stated that "We're giving people the best free music experience in the history of the smartphone."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hamburger |first=Ellis |date=11 December 2013 |title=Spotify announces free streaming on Android and iPhone, but only in Shuffle mode |work=[[The Verge]]  |url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/12/11/5199692/spotify-announces-free-streaming-on-android-and-iphone-but-only-in |access-date=13 November 2016 |archive-date=14 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114175059/http://www.theverge.com/2013/12/11/5199692/spotify-announces-free-streaming-on-android-and-iphone-but-only-in |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Crook |first=Jordan |date=11 December 2013 |title=Spotify Goes Freemium On Tablets, Launches Free Shuffle Product On Smartphones |url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/12/11/spotify-launches-spotify-free-for-tablets/ |access-date=2 June 2017 |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=AOL |archive-date=6 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706130423/https://techcrunch.com/2013/12/11/spotify-launches-spotify-free-for-tablets/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This shuffle feature is not available on Android and iOS tablets, or computers.
In January 2014, Spotify removed all time limits for Free users on all platforms, including on computers, which previously had a 10-hour monthly listening limit after a 6-month grace period.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Murray-Morris |first=Sophie |date=15 January 2014 |title=Spotify removes time restrictions on free desktop player |work=[[The Independent]] |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/spotify-removes-time-restrictions-for-desktop-listening-9062361.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=2 June 2017 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/spotify-removes-time-restrictions-for-desktop-listening-9062361.html |archive-date=24 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Constine |first=Josh |date=15 January 2014 |title=Spotify Drops Free Web Listening Time Limit Everywhere&nbsp;– A Big Scalability Milestone |url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/01/15/spotify-limits/ |access-date=2 June 2017 |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=AOL |archive-date=15 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115075705/https://techcrunch.com/2014/01/15/spotify-limits/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In April 2018, Spotify began to allow Free users to listen on-demand to whatever songs they want for an unlimited number of times, as long as the song is on one of the user's 15 personalized discovery playlists.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 April 2018 |title=Spotify beefs up its free tier&nbsp;– TechCrunch |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/04/24/spotify-beefs-up-its-free-tier-as-apple-music-gains-traction/ |access-date=24 April 2018 |website=techcrunch.com |archive-date=24 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424180019/https://techcrunch.com/2018/04/24/spotify-beefs-up-its-free-tier-as-apple-music-gains-traction/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Before May 2020, all service users were limited to 10,000 songs in their library, after which they would receive an "Epic collection, friend" notification and would not be able to save more music to their library.<ref name=verge-limit /> Spotify later removed this limit.<ref name=verge-limit>{{cite web |last=Gartenberg |first=Chaim |date=26 May 2020 |title=Spotify finally removes its 10,000-song library limit |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/26/21270409/spotify-song-library-limit-removed-music-downloads-playlists-feature |website=The Verge |access-date=1 June 2023 |archive-date=3 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603054552/https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/26/21270409/spotify-song-library-limit-removed-music-downloads-playlists-feature |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Technical information ===
{| class="wikitable floatright collapsible" style="width:25%;text-align:center;"
|+ Audio quality options
|-
! Desktop, mobile, and tablet
! Web player
|-
! colspan="2" style="background:#1e90ff; color:white;"| Music
|-
! colspan="2" | Standard quality options
|-
| HE-AAC v2 24&nbsp;kbit/s || rowspan="3" | AAC 128&nbsp;kbit/s
|-
| [[Vorbis]] 96&nbsp;kbit/s
|-
| Vorbis 160&nbsp;kbit/s
|-
! colspan="2" | Premium quality options
|-
| Vorbis 320&nbsp;kbit/s || AAC 256&nbsp;kbit/s
|-
! colspan="2" style="background:#9932cc; color:white;"| Podcasts
|-
| HE-AAC v2 24&nbsp;kbit/s || rowspan="2" | AAC 128&nbsp;kbit/s
|-
| Vorbis 96&nbsp;kbit/s
|}
Spotify is [[Proprietary software|proprietary]] and uses [[digital rights management]] (DRM) controls.<ref name="DRM">{{Cite web |last=Orlowski |first=Andrew |date=31 August 2009 |title=Spotify, DRM and the celestial jukebox |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/08/31/spotify_crypto |access-date=8 November 2016 |website=[[The Register]] |publisher=Situation Publishing |archive-date=6 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206124200/http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/08/31/spotify_crypto |url-status=live }}</ref> Spotify's [[terms and conditions]] do not permit users to [[Reverse engineering|reverse-engineer]] the application.
Spotify allows users to add local audio files for music not in its catalog into the user's library through Spotify's desktop application, and then allows users to synchronize those music files to Spotify's mobile apps or other computers over the same [[Wi-Fi]] network as the primary computer by creating a Spotify playlist, and adding those local audio files to the playlist. Audio files must either be in the .mp3, .mp4 (.mp4 files that have video streams are not supported), or .m4p media formats. This feature is available only for Premium subscribers.
Spotify has a median playback latency of 265 ms (including local [[cache (computing)|cache]]).<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Kreitz |first1=Gunnar |last2=Niemelä |first2=Fredrik |title=Spotify&nbsp;– Large Scale, Low Latency, P2P Music-on-Demand Streaming |url=http://www.csc.kth.se/~gkreitz/spotify-p2p10/spotify-p2p10.pdf |access-date=9 November 2016 |publisher=[[Royal Institute of Technology]] |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304012754/http://www.csc.kth.se/~gkreitz/spotify-p2p10/spotify-p2p10.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
In April 2014, Spotify moved away from the [[peer-to-peer]] (P2P) system they had used to distribute music to users. Previously, a desktop user would listen to music from one of three sources: a cached file on the computer, one of Spotify's servers, or from other subscribers through the P2P system. P2P, a well-established Internet distribution system, served as an alternative that reduced Spotify's server resources and costs. However, Spotify ended the P2P setup in 2014, with Spotify's Alison Bonny telling [[TorrentFreak]]: "We're gradually phasing out the use of our desktop P2P technology which has helped our users enjoy their music both speedily and seamlessly. We're now at a stage where we can power music delivery through our growing number of servers and ensure our users continue to receive a best-in-class service."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ernesto |date=16 April 2014 |title=Spotify Starts Shutting Down Its Massive P2P Network |url=https://torrentfreak.com/spotify-starts-shutting-down-its-massive-p2p-network-140416/ |access-date=21 November 2016 |publisher=[[TorrentFreak]] |archive-date=23 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023211534/https://torrentfreak.com/spotify-starts-shutting-down-its-massive-p2p-network-140416/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Originally Spotify had their own servers but in 2016 most of their infrastructure was migrated to [[Google Cloud Platform|Google Cloud]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Toor |first=Amar |date=24 February 2016 |title=Spotify is moving its data to Google's servers |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/2/24/11104446/spotify-google-cloud-platform |access-date=6 July 2022 |website=The Verge |language=en |archive-date=6 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706195928/https://www.theverge.com/2016/2/24/11104446/spotify-google-cloud-platform |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Car Thing ===
{{Main|Car Thing}}
Spotify first announced a voice-activated music-streaming gadget for cars in May 2019. Named the [[Car Thing]], it represents the music-streaming service's first entry into hardware devices.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sapra |first=Bani |title=We just got our best look yet at Spotify's mysterious music streaming gadget, the Car Thing, and it has built-in LTE wireless |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/spotify-car-thing-photos-details-user-manual-2020-1 |access-date=8 April 2021 |website=Business Insider |archive-date=13 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713210503/https://www.businessinsider.com/spotify-car-thing-photos-details-user-manual-2020-1 |url-status=live }}</ref> In early 2020, as part of filings to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), submitted images of the device that make it seem much more like a miniature infotainment screen.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Statt |first=Nick |date=2 April 2021 |title=Spotify leaks another look at the Car Thing, this time from within in its own app |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/4/2/22364630/spotify-car-thing-renders-app-leak-music-player-hardware-product |access-date=8 April 2021 |website=The Verge |language=en |archive-date=7 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407180634/https://www.theverge.com/2021/4/2/22364630/spotify-car-thing-renders-app-leak-music-player-hardware-product |url-status=live }}</ref> In April 2021, Spotify rolled out its own voice assistant with the hands-free wake word: "Hey Spotify".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hands-free "Hey Spotify" wake word rolls out |url=https://www.gsmarena.com/handsfree_hey_spotify_wake_word_rolls_out-news-48521.php |access-date=8 April 2021 |website=GSMArena.com |language=en-US |archive-date=8 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210408002307/https://www.gsmarena.com/handsfree_hey_spotify_wake_word_rolls_out-news-48521.php |url-status=live }}</ref> Using this, users can perform various actions such as pulling playlists, launching radio stations, playing or pausing songs. This voice-based virtual assistant may be intended more towards Spotify's own hardware such as its "Car Thing".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hollister |first=Sean |date=7 April 2021 |title="Hey Spotify" is another hands-free way to control your music, rolling out now |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/4/7/22371866/hey-spotify-voice-assistant-hands-free-android-ios-iphone |access-date=8 April 2021 |website=The Verge |language=en |archive-date=8 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210408023538/https://www.theverge.com/2021/4/7/22371866/hey-spotify-voice-assistant-hands-free-android-ios-iphone |url-status=live }}</ref> The company discontinued the device in July 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lunden |first=Ingrid |date=27 July 2022 |title=Spotify exits short-lived Car Thing hardware play, reports Q2 MAUs of 433M, offsetting Russia exit and service outage |url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/07/27/spotify-exits-short-lived-car-thing-hardware-play-as-reports-q2-maus-of-433m-offsetting-russia-exit-and-service-outage/ |access-date=24 May 2024 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref> In May 2024 Spotify sent out announcements to Car Thing owners, stating that the hardware would fully stop working on 9 December 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Car Thing discontinued |url=https://support.spotify.com/us/article/car-thing-discontinued/ |access-date=24 May 2024 |website=Spotify |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Welch |first1=Chris |title=Spotify is going to break every Car Thing gadget it ever sold |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/5/23/24163383/spotify-car-thing-discontinued-december-2024 |website=The Verge |access-date=24 May 2024 |language=en |date=23 May 2024}}</ref>
=== Security ===
Ahead of Spotify Wrapped 2024, Spotify has changed its API so that modded versions of the client will not work.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-27 |title=Days ahead of Wrapped 2024 drop, Spotify disables modded apps to curb piracy |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/spotify-disables-modded-apps-to-curb-piracy-9692573/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jain |first=Anshuman |date=2024-11-27 |title=Spotify Cracks Down on Mod APKs to Stop Freeloaders |url=https://beebom.com/spotify-cracks-down-mod-apks-stop-freeloaders/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=Beebom |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Geographic availability ==
The company is incorporated in Luxembourg as '''Spotify Technology S.A.''',<ref>{{Cite web |title=EDGAR Filing Documents for 0001639920-21-000006 |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1639920/000163992021000006/0001639920-21-000006-index.htm |access-date=14 April 2021 |website=sec.gov |archive-date=26 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526130111/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1639920/000163992021000006/0001639920-21-000006-index.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> and headquartered in [[Stockholm]], Sweden, with offices in 16 countries around the world.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spotify Technology S.a. |url=https://lei.report/LEI/549300B4X0JHWV0DTD60 |access-date=10 March 2021 |website=lei.report |archive-date=26 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526130112/https://lei.report/LEI/549300B4X0JHWV0DTD60 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Listening is everything |url=https://www.spotify.com/us/about-us/contact/ |access-date=10 March 2021 |publisher=Spotify |archive-date=9 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160709201431/https://www.spotify.com/us/about-us/contact/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=22 February 2021 |title=Spotify Expands International Footprint, Bringing Audio to 80+ New Markets |url=https://newsroom.spotify.com/2021-02-22/spotify-expands-international-footprint-bringing-audio-to-80-new-markets/ |access-date=24 February 2021 |website=Spotify |archive-date=5 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305013658/https://newsroom.spotify.com/2021-02-22/spotify-expands-international-footprint-bringing-audio-to-80-new-markets/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Following the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]], it temporarily closed its office in Russia<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 March 2022 |title=Spotify closes its office in Russia in response to attack on Ukraine until further notice. |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/spotify-closes-its-office-russia-response-attack-ukraine-2022-03-02/ |access-date=25 March 2022 |archive-date=24 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324093939/https://www.reuters.com/technology/spotify-closes-its-office-russia-response-attack-ukraine-2022-03-02/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and indefinitely suspended all of its services in the country.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shaw |first=Lucas |date=25 March 2022 |title=Spotify Pulls Free Service From Russia, Completing Its Exit |publisher=Bloomberg L.P. |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-25/spotify-pulls-free-service-from-russia-completing-its-exit |access-date=25 March 2022 |archive-date=25 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325183903/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-25/spotify-pulls-free-service-from-russia-completing-its-exit |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2023, it announced that it would leave Uruguay due to a copyright law.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tecmundo.com.br/mercado/274177-spotify-deixara-funcionar-uruguai-partir-2024-culpa-novas-leis.htm|title=Spotify deixará de funcionar no Uruguai a partir de 2024 e culpa novas leis|work=TecMundo|language=pt|date=23 November 2023|access-date=24 November 2023|archive-date=24 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124102140/https://www.tecmundo.com.br/mercado/274177-spotify-deixara-funcionar-uruguai-partir-2024-culpa-novas-leis.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> However, it reversed its decision a few weeks later.<ref>{{cite web|title=Governo do Uruguai recua e Spotify vai continuar operando no país|url=https://tecnoblog.net/noticias/2023/12/13/governo-uruguaio-recua-e-spotify-vai-continuar-operando-no-pais/|trans-title=Uruguay government recedes and Spotify will continue operating in the country|language=pt|work=Tecnoblog|date=13 December 2023|access-date=13 December 2023|archive-date=13 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213215118/https://tecnoblog.net/noticias/2023/12/13/governo-uruguaio-recua-e-spotify-vai-continuar-operando-no-pais/|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Availability of Spotify in the World.svg|thumb|upright=2.04|Countries where Spotify is available ({{as of|2022|12|lc=on}})|alt=]]
{|class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="text-align: center"
|-
! colspan=3| History of expansion
|-
! style="width:200px;"| Date
! style="width:250px;"| Countries/regions
! style="width:150px;"| Reference(s)
|-
| 7 October 2008
|
* {{Flag icon|Sweden}} Sweden
* {{Flag icon|Finland}} Finland
* {{Flag icon|France}} France
* {{Flag icon|Norway}} Norway
* {{Flag icon|Spain}} Spain
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Synskey |first=Dorian |date=10 November 2013 |title=Is Daniel Ek, Spotify founder, going to save the music industry ... or destroy it? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/10/daniel-ek-spotify-streaming-music |access-date=7 November 2016 |website=[[The Guardian]] |archive-date=8 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008193451/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/nov/10/daniel-ek-spotify-streaming-music |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| 10 February 2009
|
* {{Flag icon|United Kingdom}} United Kingdom
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spotify open for registration in the UK: No invite needed |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/spotify-open-for-registration-in-the-uk-no-invite-needed/ |access-date=4 May 2024 |publisher=CNET |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=NME |date=10 February 2009 |title=Spotify fully opens its doors to UK users |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/spotify-38-1310518 |access-date=4 May 2024 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref>
|-
| 18 May 2010
|
* {{Flag icon|Netherlands}} Netherlands
|<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=18 May 2010 |title=Spotify Launches In Netherlands, Offers New Services |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/spotify-launches-in-netherlands-offers-new-services-1206613/ |access-date=4 May 2024 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref>
|-
| 14 July 2011
|
* {{Flag icon|United States}} United States
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Milian |first=Mark |date=15 July 2011 |title=Spotify music-streaming service launches in U.S. |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/TECH/web/07/13/spotify.us/ |access-date=7 November 2016 |publisher=CNN |archive-date=29 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729100910/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/TECH/web/07/13/spotify.us/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| 12 October 2011
|
* {{Flag icon|Denmark}} Denmark
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Van Grove |first=Jennifer |date=12 October 2011 |title=Spotify Launches in its Ninth Country: Denmark |url=http://mashable.com/2011/10/12/spotify-denmark/ |access-date=26 April 2017 |website=[[Mashable]] |archive-date=21 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421083419/https://mashable.com/2011/10/12/spotify-denmark/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Peoples |first=Glenn |date=12 October 2011 |title=Spotify Launches In Denmark, Its Ninth Country |url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1163725/spotify-launches-in-denmark-its-ninth-country |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=26 April 2017 |archive-date=16 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216082732/https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1163725/spotify-launches-in-denmark-its-ninth-country |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| 15 November 2011
|
* {{Flag icon|Austria}} Austria
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 November 2011 |title=Welcome To Belgium, Spotify. (And To Austria And Switzerland) |url=https://techcrunch.com/2011/11/15/welcome-to-belgium-spotify-and-to-austria-and-switzerland/ |access-date=4 May 2024 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
| 16 November 2011
|
* {{Flag icon|Belgium}} Belgium
* {{Flag icon|Switzerland}} Switzerland
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brian |first=Matt |date=16 November 2011 |title=Spotify Launches in Belgium and Switzerland |url=https://thenextweb.com/news/spotify-opens-for-business-in-belgium-and-switzerland |access-date=4 May 2024 |website=TNW {{!}} Media |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 13 March 2012
|
* {{Flag icon|Germany}} Germany
|<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Roxborough |first=Scott |date=12 March 2012 |title=Spotify Launching In Germany Tuesday |url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1098486/spotify-launching-in-germany-tuesday |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=7 November 2016 |archive-date=1 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501224000/https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1098486/spotify-launching-in-germany-tuesday |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| 22 May 2012
|
* {{Flag icon|Australia}} Australia
* {{Flag icon|New Zealand}} New Zealand
|<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Peoples |first=Glenn |date=21 May 2012 |title=Spotify to Launch in Australia and New Zealand Tuesday |url=https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1096215/spotify-to-launch-in-australia-and-new-zealand-tuesday |magazine=Billboard |access-date=3 December 2017 |archive-date=13 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213035833/https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1096215/spotify-to-launch-in-australia-and-new-zealand-tuesday |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=22 May 2012 |title=Spotify launches in Australia |url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/spotify-launches-in-australia-20120522-1z2ye.html |access-date=3 December 2017 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |archive-date=21 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421083419/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/spotify-launches-in-australia-20120522-1z2ye.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| 13 November 2012
|
* {{Flag icon|Andorra}} Andorra
* {{Flag icon|Ireland}} Ireland
* {{Flag icon|Liechtenstein}} Liechtenstein
* {{Flag icon|Luxembourg}} Luxembourg
* {{Flag icon|Monaco}} Monaco
|<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 November 2012 |title=Spotify (finally) launches in Ireland |newspaper=[[The Irish Times]] |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/ontherecord/2012/11/13/spotify-finally-launches-in-ireland/ |access-date=7 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421083419/https://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/ontherecord/2012/11/13/spotify-finally-launches-in-ireland/ |archive-date=21 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lunden |first=Ingrid |date=13 November 2012 |title=Spotify Is Now Live In 17 Countries After Quietly Adding Ireland And Luxembourg Today |url=https://techcrunch.com/2012/11/13/spotify-is-now-live-in-17-countries-after-quietly-adding-ireland-and-luxembourg-today/ |access-date=7 November 2016 |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=AOL |archive-date=21 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421083431/https://techcrunch.com/2012/11/13/spotify-is-now-live-in-17-countries-after-quietly-adding-ireland-and-luxembourg-today/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=13 November 2012 |title=@Spotify now available in Andorra, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg and Monaco. |url=https://twitter.com/miajung/status/268278364379435008 |access-date=11 January 2018 |via=Twitter |archive-date=23 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200223122303/https://twitter.com/miajung/status/268278364379435008 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=July 2024}}
|-
| 12 February 2013
|
* {{Flag icon|Italy}} Italy
* {{Flag icon|Poland}} Poland
* {{Flag icon|Portugal}} Portugal
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brian |first=Matt |date=11 February 2013 |title=Spotify Launches in Italy, Portugal and Poland |url=https://thenextweb.com/news/spotify-launches-in-italy-expanding-its-presence-to-22-countries |access-date=4 May 2024 |website=TNW {{!}} Media |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 16 April 2013
|
* {{Flag icon|Estonia}} Estonia
* {{Flag icon|Hong Kong}} Hong Kong
* {{Flag icon|Iceland}} Iceland
* {{Flag icon|Latvia}} Latvia
* {{Flag icon|Lithuania}} Lithuania
* {{Flag icon|Malaysia}} Malaysia
* {{Flag icon|Mexico}} Mexico
* {{Flag icon|Singapore}} Singapore
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 April 2013 |title=Spotify begins Latin America push with Mexico launch |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-22166416 |access-date=7 November 2016 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC |archive-date=21 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421083420/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-22166416 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| 24 September 2013
|
* {{Flag icon|Argentina}} Argentina
* {{Flag icon|Greece}} Greece
* {{Flag icon|Taiwan}} Taiwan
* {{Flag icon|Turkey}} Turkey
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Jon |date=24 September 2013 |title=Spotify is now live in 32 countries after launching in Taiwan, Argentina, Greece and Turkey |url=https://thenextweb.com/media/2013/09/24/spotify-quietly-launches-in-taiwan-its-fourth-country-in-asia/ |access-date=7 November 2016 |website=The Next Web |archive-date=16 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216182131/https://thenextweb.com/media/2013/09/24/spotify-quietly-launches-in-taiwan-its-fourth-country-in-asia/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| 12 December 2013
|
* {{Flag icon|Bolivia}} Bolivia
* {{Flag icon|Bulgaria}} Bulgaria
* {{Flag icon|Chile}} Chile
* {{Flag icon|Colombia}} Colombia
* {{Flag icon|Costa Rica}} Costa Rica
* {{Flag icon|Cyprus}} Cyprus
* {{Flag icon|Czech Republic}} Czech Republic
* {{Flag icon|Dominican Republic}} Dominican Republic
* {{Flag icon|Ecuador}} Ecuador
* {{Flag icon|El Salvador}} El Salvador
* {{Flag icon|Guatemala}} Guatemala
* {{Flag icon|Honduras}} Honduras
* {{Flag icon|Hungary}} Hungary
* {{Flag icon|Malta}} Malta
* {{Flag icon|Nicaragua}} Nicaragua
* {{Flag icon|Panama}} Panama
* {{Flag icon|Paraguay}} Paraguay
* {{Flag icon|Peru}} Peru
* {{Flag icon|Slovakia}} Slovakia
* {{Flag icon|Uruguay}} Uruguay
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kastrenakes |first=Jacob |date=11 December 2013 |title=Spotify launches in 20 new markets throughout Latin America and Europe |url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/12/11/5199738/spotify-launches-20-new-markets-south-central-america-europe |access-date=7 November 2016 |website=[[The Verge]]  |archive-date=21 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421083420/https://www.theverge.com/2013/12/11/5199738/spotify-launches-20-new-markets-south-central-america-europe |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| 8 April 2014
|
* {{Flag icon|Philippines}} Philippines
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Villanueva |first=Michael Josh |date=9 April 2014 |title=Spotify says 'Mabuhay' to Filipino music lovers |url=https://www.rappler.com/technology/55045-spotify-philippines-launch/ |access-date=4 May 2024 |website=RAPPLER |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
| 28 May 2014
|
* {{Flag icon|Brazil}} Brazil
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 May 2014 |title=Spotify opens to the important Brazilian market&nbsp;– RAIN News |url=https://rainnews.com/spotify-opens-brazil/ |access-date=4 May 2024 |website= |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
| 30 September 2014
|
* {{Flag icon|Canada}} Canada
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Edmonds |first=Rich |date=30 September 2014 |title=The wait is over, Spotify finally launches in Canada! |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/spotify-now-available-canada |access-date=4 May 2024 |website=Windows Central |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 30 March 2016
|
* {{Flag icon|Indonesia}} Indonesia
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 March 2016 |title=Spotify makes long-awaited entry into Indonesia |url=https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/03/31/spotify-makes-long-awaited-entry-indonesia.html |access-date=22 August 2017 |website=[[The Jakarta Post]] |archive-date=12 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812214630/http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/03/31/spotify-makes-long-awaited-entry-indonesia.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| 29 September 2016
|
* {{Flag icon|Japan}} Japan
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kikuchi |first=Daisuke |date=29 September 2016 |title=Spotify finally launches in Japan, a nation where other music streaming services have struggled |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/09/29/business/tech/spotify-launches-japan-nation-streamers-struggled/ |access-date=7 May 2024 |website=The Japan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Byford |first=Sam |date=29 September 2016 |title=Spotify's mobile lyrics feature is launching first in Japan |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/9/29/13103812/spotify-japan-available-lyrics-feature |access-date=7 May 2024 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 22 August 2017
|
* {{Flag icon|Thailand}} Thailand
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 August 2016 |title=Spotify to launch in Thailand on 22 August |url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30323523 |access-date=22 August 2017 |website=[[The Nation (Thailand)|The Nation]] |publisher=[[Nation Multimedia Group]] |archive-date=22 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622055255/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30323523 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Jon |date=21 August 2017 |title=Spotify launches in Thailand to continue its Asia push |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/08/21/spotify-thailand-launch/ |access-date=7 December 2017 |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[Oath Inc.]] |archive-date=21 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421083430/https://techcrunch.com/2017/08/21/spotify-thailand-launch/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| 13 March 2018
|
* {{Flag icon|Israel}} Israel
* {{Flag icon|Romania}} Romania
* {{Flag icon|South Africa}} South Africa
* {{Flag icon|Vietnam}} Vietnam
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stacy.Goldrick@groupsjr.com |date=13 March 2023 |title=South Africa Looks Back at Five Years of Spotify Streaming |url=https://20230524t095215-dot-pr-newsroom-wp.uc.r.appspot.com/2023-03-13/south-africa-looks-back-at-five-years-of-spotify-streaming/ |access-date=7 May 2024 |website=Spotify |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=יבלונקו |first=יסמין |date=12 March 2018 |title=ברוכה הבאה: ספוטיפיי הגיעה לישראל; המחיר&nbsp;– 20 ש' לחודש |url=https://www.globes.co.il/news/article.aspx?did=1001227324 |access-date=7 May 2024 |work=Globes |language=Hebrew}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Descopera |date=13 March 2018 |title=Spotify este disponibil şi în România |url=https://www.descopera.ro/lumea-digitala/17059252-spotify-este-disponibil-si-in-romania |access-date=7 May 2024 |website=Descopera |language=ro}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=VCCorp.vn |title=Spotify chính thức ra mắt tại Việt Nam: cung cấp hơn 35 triệu bài hát quốc tế và nhạc Việt, người dùng miễn phí vẫn có thể truy cập đầy đủ kho nhạc |url=https://genk.vn/spotify-chinh-thuc-ra-mat-tai-viet-nam-cung-cap-hon-35-trieu-bai-hat-quoc-te-va-nhac-viet-nguoi-dung-mien-phi-van-co-the-truy-cap-day-du-kho-nhac-20180313095718512.chn |access-date=7 May 2024 |website=genk.vn |language=vi}}</ref>
|-
| 13 November 2018
|
* {{Flag icon|Algeria}} Algeria
* {{Flag icon|Bahrain}} Bahrain
* {{Flag icon|Egypt}} Egypt
* {{Flag icon|Jordan}} Jordan
* {{Flag icon|Kuwait}} Kuwait
* {{Flag icon|Lebanon}} Lebanon
* {{Flag icon|Morocco}} Morocco
* {{Flag icon|Oman}} Oman
* {{Flag icon|Palestine}} Palestine
* {{Flag icon|Qatar}} Qatar
* {{Flag icon|Saudi Arabia}} Saudi Arabia
* {{Flag icon|Tunisia}} Tunisia
* {{Flag icon|United Arab Emirates}} United Arab Emirates
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 November 2018 |title=Spotify Launches in the Middle East and North Africa |url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/spotify-launches-in-the-middle-east-and-north-africa-1203027605/ |website=Variety |access-date=14 November 2018 |archive-date=19 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219190747/https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/spotify-launches-in-the-middle-east-and-north-africa-1203027605/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Spotify finally takes off in UAE and North Africa after 'soft' launch |publisher=Music Biz Nation |url=https://musicbiznation.com/business/spotify-takes-off-uae/ |access-date=18 April 2020 |archive-date=7 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807232225/https://musicbiznation.com/business/spotify-takes-off-uae/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| 26 February 2019
|
* {{Flag icon|India}} India
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spotify Now Available in India, Apps Show Up on App Store, Google Play |date=26 February 2019 |url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/entertainment/news/spotify-india-launch-download-app-android-apk-ios-1999769 |publisher=NDTV India |access-date=26 February 2019 |archive-date=16 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216182129/https://gadgets.ndtv.com/entertainment/news/spotify-india-launch-download-app-android-apk-ios-1999769 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| 14 July 2020
|
* {{Flag icon|Albania}} Albania
* {{Flag icon|Belarus}} Belarus
* {{Flag icon|Bosnia and Herzegovina}} Bosnia and Herzegovina
* {{Flag icon|Croatia}} Croatia
* {{Flag icon|Kazakhstan}} Kazakhstan
* {{Flag icon|Kosovo}} Kosovo
* {{Flag icon|Moldova}} Moldova
* {{Flag icon|Montenegro}} Montenegro
* {{Flag icon|North Macedonia}} North Macedonia
* {{Flag icon|Russia}} Russia (Suspended on 25 March 2022 until further notice)
* {{Flag icon|Serbia}} Serbia
* {{Flag icon|Slovenia}} Slovenia
* {{Flag icon|Ukraine}} Ukraine
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 July 2020 |title=Spotify Is Now Available in Russia, Croatia, Ukraine, and 10 Other European Markets |url=https://newsroom.spotify.com/2020-07-14/spotify-is-now-available-in-russia-croatia-ukraine-and-10-other-european-markets/ |access-date=14 July 2020 |archive-date=14 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714175552/https://newsroom.spotify.com/2020-07-14/spotify-is-now-available-in-russia-croatia-ukraine-and-10-other-european-markets/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| 1 February 2021
|
* {{Flag icon|South Korea}} South Korea
|<ref name="sklaunch1">{{Cite web |date=1 February 2021 |title=Spotify Launches in South Korea |url=https://newsroom.spotify.com/2021-02-01/spotify-launches-in-south-korea |access-date=2 February 2021 |website=Spotify}}</ref>
|-
| 23 February 2021
|
* {{Flag icon|Bangladesh}} Bangladesh
* {{Flag icon|Ghana}} Ghana
* {{Flag icon|Kenya}} Kenya
* {{Flag icon|Nigeria}} Nigeria
* {{Flag icon|Pakistan}} Pakistan
* {{Flag icon|Sri Lanka}} Sri Lanka
* {{Flag icon|Tanzania}} Tanzania
* {{Flag icon|Uganda}} Uganda
|<ref name="sasia">{{Cite web |date=24 February 2021 |title=Spotify set to come to Bangladesh |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/spotify-set-come-bangladesh-2050141 |access-date=29 March 2021 |website=The Daily Star}}</ref><ref name="newsroom.spotify.com">{{Cite web |date=22 February 2021 |title=Spotify Expands International Footprint, Bringing Audio to 80+ New Markets |url=https://newsroom.spotify.com/2021-02-22/spotify-expands-international-footprint-bringing-audio-to-80-new-markets |access-date=23 February 2021}}</ref>
|-
| 24 February 2021
|
* {{Flag icon|Antigua and Barbuda}} Antigua and Barbuda
* {{Flag icon|Armenia}} Armenia
* {{Flag icon|Bahamas}} Bahamas
* {{Flag icon|Barbados}} Barbados
* {{Flag icon|Belize}} Belize
* {{Flag icon|Bermuda}} Bermuda
* {{Flag icon|Bhutan}} Bhutan
* {{Flag icon|Botswana}} Botswana
* {{Flag icon|Burkina Faso}} Burkina Faso
* {{Flag icon|Cabo Verde}} Cabo Verde
* {{Flag icon|Curaçao}} Curaçao
* {{Flag icon|Dominica}} Dominica
* {{Flag icon|Timor-Leste}} East Timor
* {{Flag icon|Fiji}} Fiji
* {{Flag icon|Gambia}} Gambia
* {{Flag icon|Georgia}} Georgia
* {{Flag icon|Grenada}} Grenada
* {{Flag icon|Guinea-Bissau}} Guinea-Bissau
* {{Flag icon|Guyana}} Guyana
* {{Flag icon|Haiti}} Haiti
* {{Flag icon|Jamaica}} Jamaica
* {{Flag icon|Kiribati}} Kiribati
* {{Flag icon|Lesotho}} Lesotho
* {{Flag icon|Liberia}} Liberia
* {{Flag icon|Malawi}} Malawi
* {{Flag icon|Maldives}} Maldives
* {{Flag icon|Mali}} Mali
* {{Flag icon|Marshall Islands}} Marshall Islands
* {{Flag icon|Micronesia}} Micronesia
* {{Flag icon|Namibia}} Namibia
* {{Flag icon|Nauru}} Nauru
* {{Flag icon|Niger}} Niger
* {{Flag icon|Palau}} Palau
* {{Flag icon|Papua New Guinea}} Papua New Guinea
* {{Flag icon|Samoa}} Samoa
* {{Flag icon|San Marino}} San Marino
* {{Flag icon|Sao Tome and Principe}} São Tomé and Príncipe
* {{Flag icon|Senegal}} Senegal
* {{Flag icon|Seychelles}} Seychelles
* {{Flag icon|Sierra Leone}} Sierra Leone
* {{Flag icon|Solomon Islands}} Solomon Islands
* {{Flag icon|St. Kitts and Nevis}} St. Kitts and Nevis
* {{Flag icon|St. Lucia}} St. Lucia
* {{Flag icon|St. Vincent and the Grenadines}} St. Vincent and the Grenadines
* {{Flag icon|Suriname}} Suriname
* {{Flag icon|Tonga}} Tonga
* {{Flag icon|Trinidad and Tobago}} Trinidad and Tobago
* {{Flag icon|Tuvalu}} Tuvalu
* {{Flag icon|Vanuatu}} Vanuatu
|<ref name="newsroom.spotify.com" />
|-
| 25 February 2021
|
* {{Flag icon|Azerbaijan}} Azerbaijan
* {{Flag icon|Brunei}} Brunei
* {{Flag icon|Burundi}} Burundi
* {{Flag icon|Cambodia}} Cambodia
* {{Flag icon|Cameroon}} Cameroon
* {{Flag icon|Chad}} Chad
* {{Flag icon|Comoros}} Comoros
* {{Flag icon|Equatorial Guinea}} Equatorial Guinea
* {{Flag icon|Eswatini}} Eswatini
* {{Flag icon|Gabon}} Gabon
* {{Flag icon|Guinea}} Guinea
* {{Flag icon|Kyrgyzstan}} Kyrgyzstan
* {{Flag icon|Laos}} Laos
* {{Flag icon|Macau}} Macau
* {{Flag icon|Mauritania}} Mauritania
* {{Flag icon|Mongolia}} Mongolia
* {{Flag icon|Nepal}} Nepal
* {{Flag icon|Rwanda}} Rwanda
* {{Flag icon|Togo}} Togo
* {{Flag icon|Uzbekistan}} Uzbekistan
* {{Flag icon|Zimbabwe}} Zimbabwe
|<ref name="newsroom.spotify.com" />
|-
| 16 March 2021
|
* {{Flag icon|Angola}} Angola
* {{Flag icon|Benin}} Benin
* {{Flag icon|Djibouti}} Djibouti
* {{Flag icon|Côte d'Ivoire}} Ivory Coast
* {{Flag icon|Madagascar}} Madagascar
* {{Flag icon|Mauritius}} Mauritius
* {{Flag icon|Mozambique}} Mozambique
* {{Flag icon|Zambia}} Zambia
|<ref name="newsroom.spotify.com" />
|-
| 29 September 2021
|
* {{Flag icon|Anguilla}} Anguilla
* {{Flag icon|Aruba}} Aruba
* {{Flag icon|Bonaire}} Bonaire
* {{Flag icon|British Virgin Islands}} British Virgin Islands
* {{Flag icon|Cayman Islands}} Cayman Islands
* {{Flag icon|French Guiana}} French Guiana
* {{Flag icon|Guadeloupe}} Guadeloupe
* {{Flag icon|Martinique}} Martinique
* {{Flag icon|Montserrat}} Montserrat
* {{Flag icon|Saba}} Saba
* {{Flag icon|Saint Barthélemy}} Saint Barthélemy
* {{Flag icon|Saint Martin}} Saint Martin
* {{Flag icon|Sint Eustatius}} Sint Eustatius
* {{Flag icon|Sint Maarten}} Sint Maarten
* {{Flag icon|Turks and Caicos Islands}} Turks and Caicos Islands
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 September 2021 |title=Spotify is Now Available for More Users and Creators Across the Caribbean |url=https://newsroom.spotify.com/2021-09-29/spotify-is-now-available-for-more-users-and-creators-across-the-caribbean/}}</ref>
|-
| 16 November 2021
|
* {{Flag icon|Democratic Republic of the Congo}} Democratic Republic of the Congo
* {{Flag icon|Iraq}} Iraq
* {{Flag icon|Libya}} Libya
* {{Flag icon|Republic of the Congo}} Republic of the Congo
* {{Flag icon|Tajikistan}} Tajikistan
* {{Flag icon|Venezuela}} Venezuela
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 November 2021 |title=Spotify Expands to Six More Countries Around the World |url=https://newsroom.spotify.com/2021-11-17/spotify-expands-to-six-more-countries-around-the-world/}}</ref>
|-
| 22 December 2022
|
* {{Flag icon|Ethiopia}} Ethiopia
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 December 2022|title=Spotify Now Available in Ethiopia|url=https://shega.co/post/spotify-now-available-in-ethiopia/}}</ref>
|}
== Accolades ==
In September 2010, the [[World Economic Forum]] (WEF) selected Spotify as a [[World Economic Forum#Technology Pioneers Programme|Technology Pioneer]] for 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schonfeld |first=Erick |date=1 September 2010 |title=Foursquare, Scribd, And Spotify To Be Dubbed 2011 Technology Pioneers At Davos |url=https://techcrunch.com/2010/09/01/technology-pioneers-2011-foursquare-scribd-spotify/ |access-date=11 December 2017 |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[Oath Inc.]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Saint |first=Nick |date=1 September 2010 |title=Foursquare, SecondMarket, Knewton, And Spotify Honored By World Economic Forum |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/foursquare-secondmarket-knewton-and-spotify-honored-by-world-economic-forum-2010-9 |access-date=11 December 2017 |website=[[Business Insider]]}}</ref>
== Criticism ==
{{Main|Criticism of Spotify}}
Spotify has attracted significant criticism since its 2006 launch.<ref name="Launch">{{Cite web |date=7 October 2008 |title=We've only just begun! |url=https://news.spotify.com/us/2008/10/07/weve-only-just-begun/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171211213512/https://news.spotify.com/us/2008/10/07/weve-only-just-begun/ |archive-date=11 December 2017 |access-date=7 November 2016 |publisher=Spotify }}</ref> The primary point of criticism centres around what artists, music creators, and the media have described as "unsustainable" compensation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Plaugic |first=Lizzie |date=7 December 2015 |title=Spotify's Year in Music shows just how little we pay artists for their music |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/12/7/9861372/spotify-year-in-review-artist-payment-royalties |access-date=22 January 2017 |website=[[The Verge]] }}</ref> Unlike physical sales or legal downloads (both of which were the main medium of listening to music at the time), which pay artists a fixed amount per song or album sold, Spotify pays royalties based on their "market share": the number of streams for their songs as a proportion of total songs streamed on the service. Spotify distributes approximately 70% of its total revenue to rights-holders, who will then pay artists based on their individual agreements.<ref name="Spotify business" /> Worldwide, 30,000 musicians have joined the organization UnionOfMusicians (UMAW).<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web |title=Has Streaming Saved the Music Industry?&nbsp;– Tracks&nbsp;– Watch the full show |url=https://www.arte.tv/en/videos/100280-007-A/has-streaming-saved-the-music-industry/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129150425/https://www.arte.tv/en/videos/100280-007-A/has-streaming-saved-the-music-industry/ |archive-date=29 November 2021 |access-date=28 October 2021 |website=ARTE }}</ref> UMAW organized protests in 31 cities in March 2021 and its campaign #JusticeAtSpotify is demanding more transparency and a compensation of one cent per stream.<ref name="auto2" />
Spotify has been criticised by artists and producers including [[Taylor Swift]] and [[Thom Yorke]], who have argued that Spotify does not fairly compensate musicians, and both withdrew their music from the service.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 July 2013 |title=Thom Yorke pulls albums from Spotify |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-23313445 |access-date=18 January 2017 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Alter |first=Charlotte |date=3 November 2014 |title=Taylor Swift Just Removed Her Music From Spotify |url=https://time.com/3554438/taylor-swift-spotify/ |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |access-date=23 December 2016}}</ref> Their catalogues returned to the service in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rossignol |first=Derrick |date=8 December 2017 |title=Thom Yorke's Solo Albums Are Finally Streaming On Spotify, Which He Famously Hates |url=http://uproxx.com/music/thom-yorke-spotify-streaming/ |access-date=10 December 2017 |website=[[Uproxx]] |publisher=[[Uproxx Media Group]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=8 June 2017 |title=Taylor Swift's Music Returning to Spotify & Other Streaming Services Tonight |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7825570/taylor-swift-spotify-streaming-again |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=9 June 2017}}</ref> While the streaming music industry in general faces the same critique about inadequate payments,<ref>{{Cite web |title=What Streaming Music Services Pay |url=http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/spotify-apple-music-tidal-music-streaming-services-royalty-rates-compared/ |access-date=11 December 2017 |website=[[David McCandless|Information is Beautiful]]}}</ref> Spotify, being the leading service,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singleton |first=Micah |date=15 June 2017 |title=Spotify now has 140 million active users |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/6/15/15807826/spotify-140-million-active-users |access-date=10 December 2017 |website=[[The Verge]] }}</ref> faces particular scrutiny due to its free service tier, allowing users to listen to music for free, though with advertisements between tracks. The free service tier has led to a variety of major album releases being delayed or withdrawn from the service.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Karp |first=Hannah |date=3 December 2015 |title=Coldplay to Headline Super Bowl Halftime Show |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/coldplay-to-headline-super-bowl-halftime-show-1449174658 |access-date=24 December 2016 |website=[[The Wall Street Journal]]}} {{subscription required}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Luckerson |first=Victor |date=24 November 2014 |title=Beyoncé's Latest Album Is Finally on Spotify |url=https://time.com/3602610/beyonce-spotify/ |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |access-date=24 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Carr |first=Austin |date=15 February 2012 |title=Why Spotify Turned Down Adele's ''21'' |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/1816582/why-spotify-turned-down-adeles-21 |access-date=24 December 2016 |website=[[Fast Company (magazine)|Fast Company]] |publisher=Mansueto Ventures }}</ref> In response to the allegations about unfair compensation, Spotify claims that it is benefitting the industry by migrating users away from [[Copyright infringement|unauthorized copying]] and less monetized platforms to its free service tier, and then downgrades that service until they upgrade to paid accounts.<ref name="Spotify business" /> A study has shown that record labels keep a high amount of the money earned from Spotify,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ingham |first=Tim |date=3 February 2015 |title=Major labels keep 73% of Spotify Premium payouts&nbsp;– Report |url=http://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/artists-get-7-of-streaming-cash-labels-take-46/ |access-date=17 December 2016 |website=Music Business Worldwide}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Masnick |first=Mike |date=5 February 2015 |title=Yes, Major Record Labels Are Keeping Nearly All The Money They Get From Spotify, Rather Than Giving It To Artists |url=https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20150204/07310329906/yes-major-record-labels-are-keeping-nearly-all-money-they-get-spotify-rather-than-giving-it-to-artists.shtml |access-date=17 December 2016 |publisher=Techdirt}}</ref> and the CEO of [[Merlin Network]], a representative body for over 10,000 independent labels, has also observed significant yearly growth rates in earnings from Spotify, while clarifying that Spotify pays labels, not artists.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Buskirk |first=Eliot Van |date=21 June 2012 |title=David Lowery Might Be Right About Some Things, But He's Wrong About Streaming, Money, and Artists |url=http://evolver.fm/2012/06/21/david-lowery-might-be-right-about-some-things-but-hes-wrong-about-streaming-money-and-artists/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202073932/http://evolver.fm/2012/06/21/david-lowery-might-be-right-about-some-things-but-hes-wrong-about-streaming-money-and-artists/ |archive-date=2 December 2016 |access-date=17 December 2016 |website=Evolver.fm }}</ref> In 2017, as part of its efforts to renegotiate licence deals for an interest in [[Initial public offering|going public]], Spotify announced that artists would be able to make albums temporarily exclusive to paid subscribers if the albums are part of [[Universal Music Group]] or the Merlin Network.
In 2016, Spotify was criticized for allegedly making certain artists' music harder to find than others, as these artists would release their music to the rival streaming service [[Apple Music]] before releasing it to Spotify.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 August 2016 |title=Spotify Is Burying Musicians for Their Apple Deals |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-08-26/spotify-said-to-retaliate-against-artists-with-apple-exclusives |access-date=22 July 2020 |website=Bloomberg.com }}</ref>
In May 2018, Spotify attracted criticism for its "Hate Content & Hateful Conduct policy" that removed the music of [[R. Kelly]] and [[XXXTentacion]] from its editorial and algorithmic playlists because "When we look at promotion, we look at issues around hateful conduct, where you have an artist or another creator who has done something off-platform that is so particularly out of line with our values, egregious, in a way that it becomes something that we don't want to associate ourselves with." R. Kelly has faced accusations of sexual abuse, while XXXTentacion was on trial for domestic abuse in a case that did not reach a judgement before [[Killing of XXXTentacion|his death]] that June.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Strauss |first=Matthew |date=10 May 2018 |title=Spotify Removes R. Kelly and XXXTentacion From Its Playlists |work=Pitchfork |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/spotify-removes-r-kelly-from-its-playlists/ |access-date=21 October 2018}}</ref> This policy was revoked in June because the company deemed the original wording to be too "vague"; they stated that "Across all genres, our role is not to regulate artists. Therefore, we are moving away from implementing a policy around artist conduct".<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Minsker |first1=Evan |last2=Yoo |first2=Noah |date=1 June 2018 |title=Spotify Walks Back Controversial 'Hateful Conduct' Policy, Adds XXXTentacion to Major Playlist |work=Pitchfork |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/spotify-walks-back-controversial-hateful-conduct-policy/ |access-date=21 October 2018}}</ref> However, artists such as [[Gary Glitter]] and [[Lostprophets]] are still hidden from Spotify's radio stations.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Cairns |first1=Dan |last2=Dean |first2=Jonathan |date=27 May 2018 |title=Where will Spotify's censorship end? |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/spotify-hateful-conduct-axl-rose-r-kelly-jimmy-page-and-eminem-w890kwc3l |website=The Times }}</ref>
According to some computer science and music experts, various music communities are often ignored or overlooked by music streaming services such as Spotify.<ref name="Rolling Stone 2019">{{Cite magazine |date=4 October 2019 |title=Spotify Pivots on Global Cultures Initiative, Alarming Music Industry |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/spotify-global-cultures-initiative-892762/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=18 February 2020}}</ref><ref name="Hepworth 2020">{{Cite web |last=Hepworth |first=Shelley |date=1 January 2020 |title=Streaming spells the end of the 'ownership' era of music, but are we ready to let go? |url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/feb/02/streaming-spells-the-end-of-the-ownership-era-of-music-but-are-we-ready-to-let-go |access-date=18 February 2020 |website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref name="RouteNote Blog 2020">{{Cite web |date=6 February 2020 |title=Spotify and streaming services are breaking cultural music on a worldwide stage |url=http://routenote.com/blog/spotify-and-streaming-services-are-breaking-cultural-music-on-a-worldwide-stage/ |access-date=18 February 2020 |website=RouteNote Blog}}</ref> The most commonly perceived error is said to be caused by a lack of diverse scope within curation staff, including overlooking mainstay artists in large genres, potentially causing a categorical homogenization of musical styles; even impacting mainline artists like within [[Hip hop music|hip hop]] with [[A Tribe Called Quest]].<ref name="Hepworth 2020" />
In March 2021, [[David Dayen]] argued in ''The American Prospect'' that musicians were in peril due to monopolies in streaming services like Spotify.<ref name="prospect.org">{{Cite web |last=Dayen |first=David |date=22 March 2021 |title=Islands in the Stream |url=https://prospect.org/api/content/b969aae6-89e3-11eb-a885-1244d5f7c7c6/ |website=The American Prospect}}</ref> Daniel Ek, co-founder and CEO of Spotify, discussed "what he called an artist-friendly streaming solution". He explained, "An extension of the internet radio craze of the early 2000s, Spotify would license content from record labels, and then support artists as people listened to their music."<ref name="prospect.org" />
In January 2022, 270 scientists, physicians, professors, doctors, and healthcare workers wrote an open letter to Spotify expressing concern over "false and societally harmful assertions" on [[Joe Rogan]]'s podcast, ''[[The Joe Rogan Experience]]'', and asked Spotify to "establish a clear and public policy to moderate misinformation on its platform". The 270 signatories objected to Rogan broadcasting [[COVID-19 misinformation]], citing "a highly controversial" episode featuring guest [[Robert W. Malone|Robert Malone]] (#1757).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tapp |first=Tom |date=13 January 2022 |title=Hundreds Of Doctors Sign Open Letter Asking Spotify To Address "Mass Misinformation Events," Take Aim At Joe Rogan's Show |url=https://deadline.com/2022/01/spotify-joe-rogan-doctors-open-letter-1234909702/ |access-date=13 January 2022 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Dickson |first=E. J. |date=12 January 2022 |title='A Menace to Public Health': Doctors Demand Spotify Puts an End to Covid Lies on 'Joe Rogan Experience' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/covid-misinformation-joe-rogan-spotify-petition-1282240/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> On 26 January, [[Neil Young]] removed his music from Spotify after they refused to remove the podcast.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yang |first=Maya |date=26 January 2022 |title=Spotify removes Neil Young music in feud over Joe Rogan's false Covid claims |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/jan/26/spotify-neil-young-joe-rogan-covid-misinformation |access-date=27 January 2022 |website=[[The Guardian]] }}</ref> Other artists and podcasters, such as [[Joni Mitchell]], [[Nils Lofgren]], [[Brené Brown]], and [[Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young|Crosby, Stills, & Nash]], also announced a boycott of Spotify.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shafer |first=Ellise |date=28 January 2022 |title=Joni Mitchell Says She's Removing Music From Spotify: 'Irresponsible People Are Spreading Lies' |url=https://variety.com/2022/music/news/joni-mitchell-spotify-removing-music-joe-rogan-1235166691/ |website=Variety }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Repko |first=Melissa |date=30 January 2022 |title=Bruce Springsteen guitarist Nils Lofgren joins protest of Spotify over Covid misinformation |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/30/bruce-springsteen-guitarist-nils-lofgren-joins-spotify-boycott-.html |access-date=30 January 2022 |publisher=CNBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Roth |first=Emma |date=30 January 2022 |title=Brené Brown Says She Won't Release New Episodes of Her Spotify-Exclusive Podcasts 'until Further Notice' |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/1/30/22909140/brene-brown-spotify-podcast-joe-rogan-controversy |access-date=30 January 2022 |website=The Verge}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=David Crosby, Graham Nash and Stephen Stills ask to pull their content from Spotify |publisher=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/02/02/1077653424/crosby-stills-nash-young-spotify |access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref> Spotify promised to add content advisories for anything containing discussions related to COVID-19 and posted additional rules.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roth |first=Emma |date=30 January 2022 |title=Spotify finally responds to Joe Rogan controversy with a plan to label podcasts that discuss COVID-19 |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/1/30/22909432/spotify-covid-19-moderation-joe-rogan-vaccine-misinformation |access-date=30 January 2022 |website=The Verge}}</ref>
==Notes==
{{notelist}}
== See also ==
* [[Comparison of music streaming services]]
* [[List of Spotify streaming records]]
* [[List of most-streamed artists on Spotify]]
* [[List of podcast clients]]
* [[List of tech companies in the New York metropolitan area]]
== References ==
{{reflist}}
== Further reading ==
* Maria Eriksson et al. (2019): ''Spotify Teardown: Inside the Black Box of Streaming Music'', The MIT Press, {{ISBN|978-0262038904}}.
* {{Cite journal |last1=Šmite |first1=Darja |last2=Moe |first2=Nils Brede |last3=Floryan |first3=Marcin |last4=Gonzalez-Huerta |first4=Javier |last5=Dorner |first5=Michael |last6=Sablis |first6=Aivars |title=Decentralized decision-making and scaled autonomy at Spotify |journal=Journal of Systems and Software |volume=200 |date=June 2023 |doi=10.1016/j.jss.2023.111649 |s2cid=256931802 |issn=0164-1212  |doi-access=free |hdl=11250/3131849 |hdl-access=free }}
== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{Finance links
| symbol = SPOT
| sec_cik = SPOT
| google = SPOT:NYSE
| yahoo = SPOT
| bloomberg = SPOT:US
| reuters = SPOT
}}
{{Spotify}}
{{Podcast distribution platforms}}
{{Music digital distribution platforms}}
{{Music streaming services}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Portal bar|Internet|Music}}
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