Spotify has reversed its controversial decision to limit access to song lyrics for free users, following widespread criticism from its user base. The music streaming giant had begun testing a feature that restricted full lyrics access to Premium subscribers only, but is now backtracking on this move.
In May 2024, Spotify expanded a test that capped the number of times free users could view song lyrics each month. This change was met with significant backlash from users who had grown accustomed to having unrestricted access to lyrics as part of their free listening experience.
However, in a recent statement to Engadget, a Spotify spokesperson announced, “Over the coming weeks, we’ll be expanding Lyrics availability for Spotify Free users so more people can enjoy viewing more lyrics, globally.” This decision marks a clear response to the negative feedback received from users and industry observers alike.
The initial move to restrict lyrics access was seen by many as an attempt to push more users towards Spotify’s paid subscription tiers. This came shortly after Spotify increased the price of its Premium subscription from $10.99 to $11.99 per month in June 2023, further fueling user dissatisfaction. Speaking of which, we have a guide that should help you get Spotify Premium at discounted rates, for those interested.
That said, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek had hinted at plans to improve the free user experience during a recent earnings call, stating, “We are prioritizing enhancements in our free product pipeline that based on existing performance in certain markets. Further additional improvements will be integrated into our free experience in the coming months.” The restoration of full lyrics access appears to be part of these planned improvements.
The lyrics feature, powered by Musixmatch, allows users to follow along with the words of a song as it plays. It has been a popular feature among both free and paid users since its introduction, making the temporary restriction particularly jarring for many listeners.
As the rollout of unrestricted lyrics access for free users begins, Spotify will likely be closely monitoring user engagement and satisfaction and will hopefully rethink similar approaches in the future.
Dwayne Cubbins
400 Posts
For nearly a decade, I've been deciphering the complexities of the tech world, with a particular passion for helping users navigate the ever-changing tech landscape. From crafting in-depth guides that unlock your phone's hidden potential to uncovering and explaining the latest bugs and glitches, I make sure you get the most out of your devices. And yes, you might occasionally find me ranting about some truly frustrating tech mishaps.
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