Spotify has announced that song lyrics will soon be available to all users, reversing a recent decision to restrict the feature behind its Premium subscription. This change comes after the streaming giant had briefly experimented with limiting access to lyrics, requiring users to pay for a Premium account to view more than three songs’ lyrics per month. The move was met with widespread dissatisfaction among users.
A Spotify spokesperson confirmed to Engadget that the company is “expanding Lyrics availability for Spotify Free users so more people can enjoy viewing more lyrics, globally.” The rollout is expected to occur “over the coming weeks,” making the lyrics feature accessible to a broader audience. Spotify has yet to respond to inquiries from The Verge regarding the specifics of this decision.
Originally, Spotify offered its lyrics feature for free, allowing users to follow along with the words of a song in real-time. However, in September of the previous year, some users noticed that access to lyrics became restricted, and only Premium subscribers could view more than a few songs’ lyrics each month. This restriction became more widespread in May, sparking complaints from the Spotify community.
The decision to monetize a previously free feature was particularly controversial, especially since it came on the heels of Spotify increasing the cost of its Premium subscription from $10.99 to $11.99 per month in June. This price hike added to the frustration of users who felt they were being nickel-and-dimed for features that were once complimentary.
The backlash against the lyrics paywall and the subsequent policy reversal highlight the challenges companies face when altering the user experience, especially when it involves charging for previously free services. As Spotify continues to adjust its offerings, it must balance monetization strategies with user satisfaction to maintain its leading position in the competitive streaming market.
With the reintroduction of free lyrics, Spotify aims to enhance user engagement and satisfaction, catering to the broad spectrum of its user base, from casual listeners to more engaged users who enjoy singing along to their favorite tracks. This move is also likely to improve Spotify’s appeal in a market where competitors offer similar features at no additional cost.
