“Spotify Tests Premium-Only Access to Song Lyrics, Leaving Free Users in the Dark”

In a controversial move, Spotify is exploring the idea of making song lyrics an exclusive perk for its premium subscribers, leaving free-tier users unable to access this feature.

Since its debut in 2008, Spotify has solidified its status as a leading force in the music streaming industry, rivaling platforms like Apple Music and YouTube Music. The company has continuously enriched its premium subscription tier, offering a variety of features that are not available to free users, such as ad-free listening.

According to a report by The Verge on September 5, 2023, Spotify is running a limited test where song lyrics will become a premium-only feature. Some free-tier users have reported receiving a message saying, “Enjoy lyrics on Spotify Premium,” instead of seeing the lyrics they’re accustomed to when using the mobile app.

CJ Stanley, Spotify’s co-head of global communications, confirmed the test but did not reveal much. “We routinely conduct various tests. While some pave the way for a new user experience, others provide us valuable insights,” Stanley said. “We’re not ready to share more details at this point.”

There’s no confirmation on how long this trial run will last or which markets are affected. Rest assured, we’ll keep you posted should Spotify decide to make lyrics a permanent feature behind its paywall.