Spotify — the Swedish audio streaming service — is bringing again a extremely requested characteristic months after it was put behind a paywall and faraway from the free tier, in line with the corporate. The lyrics characteristic is rolling out for customers and not using a subscription to Spotify following widespread backlash, however a month-to-month restrict will nonetheless apply. The event comes weeks after the corporate detailed its plans for a brand new “deluxe” subscription tier which might supply high-fidelity audio streaming to customers.
Spotify Lyrics Return to Free Subscription Tier
Spotify first introduced that it might restrict lyrics at no cost customers in September 2023, with wider complaints on the service’s group boards and social media about its inaccessibility in Might this yr. Following this variation, if free customers crossed a restrict of three songs, a Spotify Premium subscription could be required to view lyrics.
A Spotify spokesperson instructed TechCrunch that the music streaming platform is bringing again lyrics for customers who haven’t got a premium subscription. “Over the approaching weeks, we’ll be increasing lyrics availability for Spotify free customers so extra folks can get pleasure from viewing extra lyrics, globally”, the spokesperson mentioned.
Nevertheless, Spotify is not going to supply limitless entry to lyrics and not using a premium subscription. Whereas it didn’t specify the precise restrict, an organization consultant instructed 9to5Google that the determine is “increased than anybody would ever attain”. The adjustments are purported to be rolled out onto the platform over the approaching weeks.
The music streaming service’s earnings name for the second quarter of 2024 revealed that it has a complete of 626 million lively month-to-month listeners out of which, solely 246 million are paid subscribers. This implies greater than half of Spotify’s person base continues to be on the free tier.
The corporate has additionally launched a worth hike in current months. In June, the worth of all of the Spotify Premium subscriptions within the US noticed a rise for the second time in 12 months, with the Particular person plan now costing $11.99 (roughly Rs. 1,003) a month, up from $10.99 (roughly Rs. 920).
