Spotify may soon make lyrics exclusive to premium subscribers

While Spotify has been seeing a lot of new users join the music-streaming platform, a lot of these new users are free users. This means while they can stream all the songs and other content on the platform, they will face ads. However, a new report suggests Spotify may be cutting down on some key features for free users and making them premium-exclusive in its bid to increase subscriptions.

As per The Verge, Spotify’s latest test sees the platform locking access to lyrics for some users on the free model. Spotify, added support for real-time lyrics in 2021, allowing listeners to understand songs better, avoid misheard lyrics and even sing along. However, the test suggests the feature could soon be snatched away from non-paying users.

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Instead, users who are a part of the test see a ‘Enjoy lyrics on Spotify Premium’ message on their smartphones or other devices. Spotify PR executive CJ Stanley has specified that the move is “only a test”. However, public tests like this often have a knack for eventually turning into platform-wide features or restrictions.

The test doesn't confirm the change

Not all tests make it to the final stage. YouTube was heavily criticised in 2022 for testing up to 10 unskippable ads on certain videos for non-premium users. The test had to conclude the same year, and users haven’t seen such a large number of unskippable ads in a row since.

Whether Spotify will go down the path of putting lyrics and other features behind its paywall remains to be seen. For now, the test is only applicable to a small number of users in unspecified regions. Currently Spotify does show lyrics in India for non-premium users.