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Spotify Imposes a Monthly Lyrics Limit for Free Users

Spotify has added a monthly limit on lyrics.
Spotify has added a monthly limit on lyrics.

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What’s next? Limited song plays per month?

Spotify has introduced a monthly limit on viewing song lyrics for free users. As a result, users now need a premium subscription to access full lyrics of more than five songs per month.

This strategy seems to be part of Spotify’s effort to encourage free users to upgrade to paid subscriptions by limiting access to popular features.

Lyrics Now a Premium Feature

Notification prompting users to upgrade to Premium. (From: Reddit/Calm_Ratio4524)
Notification prompting users to upgrade to Premium. (From: Reddit/Calm_Ratio4524)

In September 2023, Spotify began testing a restriction on lyric viewing for free users in select markets.

Back then, CJ Stanley, Spotify’s co-head of global communications, explained that this change aimed to refine the user experience.

“We routinely conduct a number of tests, some of which pave the way for our broader user experience and others serve as important learning,” Stanley explained.

While he said the test may not be permanent, this has now seemingly been officially implemented.

Many users have reported receiving notifications prompting them to upgrade their plans to access lyrics.

Notification prompting users to upgrade to Premium. (From: Reddit)
Notification prompting users to upgrade to Premium. (From: Reddit)

The new limit lets users view lyrics for up to five songs per month.

After reaching this cap, notifications will appear under the song that is currently playing. These inform users they’ve hit their monthly cap while encouraging them to “Enjoy lyrics on Spotify Premium.”

Community Reaction

Users went to online forums to complain about the change. (From: Reddit)
Users went to online forums to complain about the change. (From: Reddit)

The change has been met with significant pushback from the Spotify community, particularly on online forums.

One dismayed user shared their frustration on Reddit, stating, “There’s no way you want me to PAY to read lyrics for a song. Especially when I can’t jus [sic] google it..”

The decision also raised accessibility concerns.

A Redditor explained that lyrics are not a luxury but a necessity for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.

“Why did Spotify put the lyrics behind a premium payment??? this is really annoying since I’m mostly deaf, and I rely on the lyrics to understand the songs. But I can’t get a job due to my deafness, so I can’t pay for the premium,” MeowKat090709 said.

Alternatives and Potential Shift to Other Services

A workaround to Spotify's lyrics limit is to simply Google them. (From: Reddit)
A workaround to Spotify’s lyrics limit is to simply Google them. (From: Reddit)

Some users suggest this move is part of Spotify’s strategy to increase earnings by converting free users to its paid subscription plan.

Redditor Immediate_Reply5436 said, “I Guess spotify gotta do what they gotta do to get their money up.”

In response, the community is exploring alternatives for accessing song lyrics, the simplest being to search for the lyrics on Google.

Some Redditors are thinking of switching to a different music streaming platform. (From: Reddit)
Some Redditors are thinking of switching to a different music streaming platform. (From: Reddit)

Other users have recommended using apps like Genius and Musixmatch as substitutes.

A few have also suggested switching to other services like YouTube Music and Apple Music, which still offer lyrics for free.

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