If you’re an avid music fan or consider yourself tech savvy, then you likely know all about Spotify and the impression it’s made since it’s U.S. debut this past Summer. Many love the European music streaming service, while a few (including a handful of metal labels) aren’t as impressed. And even if you didn’t have a paid subscription, Spotify’s free version gave users plenty of access to their catalog despite the cap on hours one could listen to music. Well, that last part is about to change.
As made clear in Spotify’s terms of service, free users account would be further limited to 10 listening hours per month and a cap of 5 plays per track after the first six months following an account’s creation. And as Digital Music News reminds us, it will have been six months this Saturday (January 14) since Spotify launched in America. Thus, Spotify’s new limitations will go into effect on its first batch of free users. That also means users will be left with a big decision: to pay or not to pay?
On the one hand, Spotify’s Facebook integration has certainly further helped build buzz for the service. At the same time, though, Spotify’s catalog still has some gaping holes, with labels (and even artists) opting to not partner up with the streaming service. So will users be willing to pay $5 for an account with unlimited usage and no ads, or even a $10 account that additionally gives you access mobile access? Furthermore, will users even bother using their free account once the new limitations take into place? We’ll just have to wait and see how it all pans out.
