Spotify is Testing a New Way to Encourage Free Users to Subscribe

Spotify is limiting one of its most popular features to paying subscribers only. According to reports, the company has started restricting access to song lyrics for free users.

Previously, anyone could view lyrics while listening on Spotify. But now, free accounts are seeing messages that the lyrics are only available to Premium members. Some users also report being shown a monthly limit on how many times they can view lyrics for free.

This change indicates Spotify is testing making lyrics an exclusive perk of its paid subscription tiers. When questioned, the company did not confirm or deny the test, only stating their features may vary over time and location.

Limiting popular extras like lyrics is a common tactic for music and video services to entice non-paying customers to subscribe. And it seems to be working for Spotify – their paid user base grew 15% in the last quarter alone.

However, lyrics remain freely available through other apps and websites. It remains to be seen if blocking lyrics on Spotify itself will meaningfully boost subscriptions. Only time will tell if users are willing to pay solely for on-platform lyrics access.