Spotify has reportedly implemented monthly limits on song lyrics for free accounts in a move to further promote its premium subscription to its users.
(Photo : Thibault Penin via Unsplash)
The limit was first reported by Dexerto and Pop Base on X (formerly Twitter) after several users noted suddenly receiving a notification that "there's a monthly limit on lyrics."
There were no indicators of how many song lyrics free accounts can access, although the notification urges them to switch to the $10.99 per month Spotify Premium subscription to get "full access to lyrics."
(Photo : Al Azeem Rasaq via X (formerly Twitter))
The reports follow after Spotify tested a similar program last September for a "limited number of users in a pair of markets."
Spotify has yet to comment on the new paywall on its platform.
Also Read: Spotify to Roll Subscription Price Hikes, New Premium Tiers: Reports
Spotify Hikes Prices Amid Steep Competition
The rollout of the monthly limits for lyrics follows Spotify's move to increase its profits by pushing most of its features to the ad-free Premium tier amid steeper competition.
Just last month, the music platform is reported to be hiking up prices for its ad-free tier in a handful of markets by $1 to $2.
This is in addition to the rollout of a dedicated subscription tier for those who only want to access the platform's audiobooks.
It is worth noting that audiobook premium subscribers still have limited hours to access audiobook content. Users will still have to purchase the whole book individually to access its content fully.
Spotify has long been noted to struggle with slower user growth despite bigger revenues from its subscription plans, at least in comparison to its biggest competitor Apple Music.
This can be pointed to the cost-cutting measures, including layoffs and marketing budget cuts, the company has employed to inflate profits over losses.
Related Article: New Spotify Subscription Lets Users Listen to Audiobooks Only
Streaming Services Become Much Pricier
Spotify is not the only one who are further limiting accessible features to its much pricier premium subscription.
Many streaming services, from film to other forms of entertainment, have been reported to increase the prices of their ad-free subscriptions as more platforms pop up despite the inflation restricting many people to afford more paid services.
Multiple users have since come forward against such practices as evidenced by the reported visits to piracy websites.
