Ads on streaming platforms can be super annoying. But when it comes to music streaming, Spotify seems to go a bit overboard. With users reporting more than 2 ads playing within five minutes, the Spotify community is buzzing with debate over these ads. So, why does Spotify have so many ads currently, more than those a few years back?
For a long time, premium users never had to worry about ads. But now things have changed, and it’s not just free users dealing with ads anymore. In this post, we will delve into the reasons behind why you’re getting so many ads on Spotify and how to get rid of them. Let’s get started.
Quick Answer: Spotify uses ads to generate revenue from free users and to encourage them to upgrade to the ad-free premium version. Typically, Spotify shows around three minutes of ads in 1-hour play time, but the number of ads has increased over time. And it is likely to grow as more creators join the platform.
How Many Ads Does Spotify Have?
There’s no specific number for how many ads Spotify has to show you. It mostly depends on your country, your listening habits, and whether special promotions are running.
Spotify is currently running ads on the free version only. And you might hear 2-3 minutes of ads per hour of listening. These ads usually sneak in as quick 15-30-second audio clips between tracks.
Apart from audio ads, these ads come in different formats, including video ads, podcast ads, and personalized display ads. And the type of ads you’re likely to encounter may vary depending on your usage pattern.
For instance, video ads tend to pop up when you’re exploring new songs or scrolling through playlists. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do to skip or hide these ads unless you opt for a premium plan.
Why Does Spotify Have So Many Ads?
Spotify plays ads for two reasons: to generate revenue and to push users to upgrade to a premium plan.
Revenue Generation for Free Streaming
As you may know, Spotify has two types of plans. One is the premium, ad-free subscription, and the other is a free version. But even with a free plan, they still need to monetize the content and pay creators, right?
That’s where ads come in.
The ads in free Spotify serve to generate revenue for the company from users who do not have a premium subscription. Reports suggest Spotify is expected to reach 305 million ad-supported listeners at the end of this year. That’s nearly a hundred million more than the premium subscribers!
One other thing to consider is just how much money Spotify is making from ads. According to a report by Statista, they’re projected to hit a revenue of over 2.2 billion USD by 2027. When you look at the numbers, it’s easy to see why Spotify has so many ads.
Encouraging Users to Upgrade to Premium
Ads also serve as a golden opportunity for Spotify to build up the number of premium subscribers. Let’s face it– no one loves to hear ads during a listening session. Eventually, free users are likely to switch to a premium plan. As the subscriber count grows, so does Spotify’s revenue, allowing artists to make more money from monetization.
This model has been a real game-changer for Spotify, with reports indicating that paid subscribers have surged by over 25.8% in the past year. After all, it’s the largest audio streaming platform in the world!
How Come Spotify Started Having More Ads Than It Used to?
Advertising is a crucial part of most revenue models. The more ads you show, the higher revenue you can generate; it’s that simple. Spotify started having more ads than usual, mostly due to this reason.
Spotify ads are a lot different than other streaming platforms as they can interact better with the audience. The company claims that its video ads can drive 155% greater attentive seconds compared to the platform average.
This makes sense, given Spotify ads are more tailored towards specific demographics based on their listening context. As a listener, you’d probably just stick with a 15-second ad rather than closing and reopening the app just to skip it.
As Spotify expands its services, more and more artists are joining the platform. While this growth is essential for Spotify to stay ahead of competitors like Apple Music and Tidal, it also entails higher payouts for monetization.
Besides, Spotify has added content beyond music, such as podcasts and live audio. This gives advertisers more space to put their ads and get featured more frequently.
Lastly, Spotify may be showing more ads than usual just because of a server error. In a 2021 incident, hundreds of users reported the app playing 2-3 ads after each song. Glitches like that might pop up again in the future; who knows?
Does Spotify Have More Ads Than Other Streaming Music Platforms?
When comparing Spotify to other music streaming platforms, it’s important to consider that not all platforms share the same revenue model. The ad experience has a lot to do with geography, user interaction, cost per click, and many other factors. So, it’s not possible to determine whether Spotify has more ads than other audio streaming platforms.
Let’s find out how other platforms are dealing with ads.
Apple Music
Unlike Spotify, Apple Music does not have a free, ad-supported version. They only offer a premium subscription starting at $4.99 per month. However, new subscribers get a one-month free trial and a free 6 months of Apple Music if you purchase any eligible device.
Amazon Music
Amazon Music offers an ad-supported version similar to Spotify. These ads are typically 10 to 30 seconds long, and you won’t be able to skip any of them.
YouTube Music
YouTube Music also features ads in its free version. Google is an ad-based company, after all, and they run more personalized ads. However, the frequency and length of these ads can vary based on the popularity of the song.
Deezer
Deezer also has an ad-supported version that users can use for free. Like Spotify, Deezer also runs in-stream audio ads and sponsored ads, and the number of ads can vary based on location and other factors.
Why Do I Still Hear Ads With Spotify Premium?
If you’re a Spotify Premium user and still hearing ads, you’re likely listening to podcasts. Podcast creators can add sponsored ads to their content, even for premium users. There are also host-read endorsements and sponsorship messages.
Spotify does not control these types of ads, and the revenue goes directly to the creators. However, if you are having ads while playing songs with premium, try logging out, restarting your device, and then logging back in to sync up your subscription status with your device.
Does Spotify Get More and More Ads Every Year?
According to user reports from forums and social media, the number of Spotify ads has increased over time. However, Spotify never publicly discloses the exact number of ads it serves each year.
However, it’s only natural for Spotify to increase the number of ads as the platform attracts more artists and listeners every year, and brands are keen to promote their services through such high-traffic platforms.
Can You Get Rid Of Ads on Spotify?
The easiest way to get rid of ads on Spotify is to upgrade to a premium subscription. However, there are a few alternative ways to enjoy an ad-free Spotify experience. Keep in mind that these methods could violate Spotify’s terms of service and result in your account being suspended.
Let’s take a look at what you can do to get rid of ads on Spotify.
Use an Ad Blocker
PC users can use Google Chrome extensions to block Spotify ads. Some of the popular Spotify ad blocker extensions are SpotiAds, Spotify Ad Blocker, AdLock, Simple Blocker, and uBlock Origin etc. Keep in mind that these extensions may not be 100% effective and go against Spotify’s terms of service.
If you’re using Spotify on a mobile, you can install an ad blocker that mutes the in-stream ads. Ad blocker apps, such as SpotMute, Mutify, or StopAd, can mute ads on Spotify for Android and iOS devices.
Use a Spotify Music Converter
You can use Spotify to MP3 converters like Hitpaw Spotify Music Converter and ViWizard Music Converter to download Spotify music and stream it from your audio library without ads. Although these apps work on Windows and Mac only, you can easily transfer them to your mobile once you’ve got your tracks.
Use a VPN
While a VPN won’t completely eliminate ads, it can significantly reduce the number of ads you see. You can use NordVPN, Surf Shark, or any other service to your liking. However, the amount you’d pay for a premium VPN is almost the same as Spotify’s basic subscription plan.
Spotify Premium Free Trial
Spotify offers a free one-month trial for new subscribers, which you can cancel anytime you want. However, there is a risk if you forget to cancel the subscription within 30 days. When signing up, users must provide payment details, meaning that Spotify can charge you if you go beyond the 1 month.
What Kind of Ads Spotify Shows to Its Free Users?
There are four types of ads you’re likely to encounter on Spotify:
- Audio ads
- Video ads
- Display ads
- Ads within Podcasts
Audio ads play between Spotify tracks, while video and display ads only appear when you’re browsing the app interface. Podcasts, on the other hand, come with their own set of in-stream ads, mostly set up by creators as paid promotions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spotify Ads
Why am I getting so many ads on Spotify?
Spotify serves ads to its free users to generate ad revenue as well as encourage them to upgrade to a premium plan. If you’re a free Spotify user, you are likely to have 2-3 ads with every 15 minutes of audio streaming.
Why do I hear ads in Spotify podcasts?
Podcast creators on Spotify can add sponsored ads to their content. These ads become a part of the content and apply to all users, whether they are paid subscribers or using the free version of Spotify.
How do I stop ads on Spotify?
You can either upgrade to a premium subscription or save your favorite tracks on the device using any third-party software. Alternatively, there are browser extensions and ad blocker apps that can stop ads on Spotify. Just remember that using these third-party apps or software may violate Spotify’s terms and conditions.
Why can’t I skip ads on Spotify?
Spotify doesn’t allow users to skip through ads. If you are using the free version of the app, you have to wait till the ad finishes and then move to the next song. However, some users suggest switching your location from Spotify settings may reduce the number of ads you receive on Spotify. It’s not a proven method and relies more on users’ insights rather than solid data.
Conclusion
So, why does Spotify have so many ads? The answer lies in Spotify’s freemium model that depends on ads as a significant source of revenue. Spotify also motivates users to upgrade to premium plana by feeding these ads as a setback for free use.
While the number of ads can sometimes feel overwhelming, it’s the only price you pay for free access to millions of tracks from different artists worldwide. And the best way to get rid of Spotify ads is to upgrade to Spotify Premium. Happy listening!
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