Spotify Expands Free Service with New Features for Global Users
In a move to enhance its free service, Spotify has introduced new features that allow users worldwide to search and play any song they want, as well as access music shared by friends or artists on social media. The company announced the updates on Monday, citing the need to improve user experience.
The new features, dubbed Pick Play, Search Play, and Share Play, are set to roll out globally to free users. With Pick Play, users can hit play in the Spotify app to select any song they want or search for a specific track and play it immediately. Share Play allows users to access music shared by friends or artists on social media platforms like Instagram.
According to Daniel Ek, Spotify's CEO, the new features are designed to make the free service more appealing to users. "We're constantly looking for ways to improve our user experience," Ek said in a statement. "These updates will help us better compete with other music streaming services."
The changes come as Spotify faces challenges in its ad business. In recent months, the company has struggled to grow its ad revenue, prompting Ek to acknowledge that it had been moving too slowly on this front.
Spotify's free service previously allowed users to shuffle songs with limited skips on mobile devices. The new features will still have some restrictions compared to Premium users, who enjoy unlimited skips and other perks.
The updates are seen as a step in the right direction for Spotify's free service, which has been criticized for its limitations. "These changes will make Spotify more attractive to casual listeners," said Mark Mulligan, a music industry analyst at Midia Research. "It's a good move by Spotify to improve user experience and compete with other streaming services."
The rollout of the new features is expected to be completed globally in the coming weeks. As Spotify continues to evolve its service, it remains to be seen how users will respond to these changes.
Background:
Spotify has been expanding its free service in recent years, but critics have argued that it still lags behind other streaming services like Apple Music and Tidal. The company's ad business has also faced challenges, with Ek acknowledging the need for improvement.
Implications:
The new features are expected to improve user experience and make Spotify more competitive in the music streaming market. However, some analysts have raised concerns about the potential impact on ad revenue.
Real-world applications:
The updates will allow users to access a wider range of music without having to upgrade to Premium. This could lead to increased engagement and retention among free users.
Next developments:
Spotify has not announced any specific plans for further updates or changes to its service. However, the company is expected to continue evolving its offerings in response to changing user needs and market trends.
*Reporting by Techcrunch.*
