Spotify, a Swedish audio streaming giant, was founded in 2006 by Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon. As of June 2024, it boasts over 626 million monthly active users, including 246 million subscribers, solidifying its position as a leading music streaming service. The company is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange through American depositary receipts.
April 2006: Spotify Founded
Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon established Spotify in April 2006.
2006: Spotify Launches, Attracting Criticism Over Artist Compensation
Since its launch in 2006, Spotify has faced criticism, particularly regarding its royalty system, which artists and music creators argue offers unsustainable compensation.
2006: Origin of Spotify's Name
The name "Spotify" was inspired by a misheard word between the founders and later combined "spot" and "identify".
2008: Spotify Launches and Reports Significant Financial Loss
Shortly after launching in 2008, Spotify reported a significant financial loss of 31.8 million Swedish kronor (US$4.4 million).
February 2009: Spotify Launches in the UK
In February 2009, Spotify started its free service in the UK, experiencing a surge in registrations that led to a temporary invitation-only system.
February 2010: Spotify Receives Investment from Founders Fund, Sean Parker Joins Board
In February 2010, Spotify received an investment from Founders Fund, leading to the recruitment of Sean Parker to the board. Parker's expertise was seen as crucial in securing licensing deals with major record labels in preparation for global expansion.
September 2010: Spotify Named Technology Pioneer by World Economic Forum
The World Economic Forum (WEF) recognized Spotify as a Technology Pioneer in September 2010 for 2011.
October 2010: Spotify Generates More Revenue for Labels in Sweden Than Any Other Retailer
In October 2010, it was reported that Spotify had become the biggest revenue generator for music labels in Sweden, surpassing both online and offline retailers.
March 2011: Spotify Reaches 1 Million Paying Subscribers
Spotify celebrated a significant achievement in March 2011 by reaching 1 million paid subscribers across Europe.
April 2011: Announcement of Music Access Limitations for Free Members
In April 2011, Spotify announced that free members would be limited to ten hours of music streaming per month and individual tracks limited to five plays, effective 1 May 2011.
May 2011: Implementation of Music Access Limitations for Free Members
On 1 May 2011, Spotify implemented the announced music access limitations for free members, restricting them to ten hours per month and five plays per individual track.
June 2011: Spotify Secures $100 Million Funding, Reaches $1 Billion Valuation
In June 2011, Spotify secured a significant $100 million funding round, propelling its valuation to $1 billion and demonstrating growing investor confidence in the company's future.
July 2011: Spotify Launches in the US
Spotify entered the US market in July 2011, initially offering a six-month free trial with unlimited music streaming.
September 2011: Spotify Doubles Paid Subscribers
Spotify's subscriber base doubled in September 2011, reaching two million paying users.
November 2011: Spotify Introduces Spotify Apps Service
In November 2011, Spotify unveiled its "Spotify Apps" service, which empowered third-party developers to create and host applications within the Spotify computer software. These applications offered features like synchronized lyrics, music reviews, and song suggestions.
2011: Spotify Reports Near US$60 Million Net Loss Amidst Growth
Despite experiencing substantial growth, Spotify reported a near US$60 million net loss in 2011, highlighting the challenges of balancing expansion with profitability in the music streaming market.
2011: Spotify Recognized as Technology Pioneer by World Economic Forum
Spotify received its recognition as a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum in 2011.
January 2012: Spotify Implements Free Tier Limits in the US
As free trials in the US ended in January 2012, Spotify introduced usage limits for free users, including a monthly cap of ten streaming hours.
April 2012: Spotify Introduces Embeddable "Spotify Play Button"
In April 2012, Spotify launched the "Spotify Play Button," an embeddable music player that could be effortlessly integrated into blogs, websites, and social media profiles.
June 2012: Soundrop Becomes First Spotify App with Major Funding
In June 2012, Soundrop, a Spotify app, achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first to secure substantial funding. It received $3 million (equivalent to $3,937,000 in 2023) from Northzone, a Spotify investor.
August 2012: Spotify Surpasses 15 Million Active Users
By August 2012, Spotify had surpassed 15 million active users, with 4 million being paid subscribers, according to Time magazine.
November 2012: Goldman Sachs Leads $100 Million Funding Round, Spotify Valued at $3 Billion
Spotify's valuation surged to $3 billion in November 2012 following a successful $100 million funding round led by Goldman Sachs, signifying substantial growth and attracting high-profile investors.
December 2012: Spotify Reaches 20 Million Users
Spotify concluded December 2012 with a milestone of 20 million active users, which included 5 million paid users globally.
December 2012: Spotify Adds "Follow," "Discover," and "Collection" Features
Spotify introduced three new tabs in December 2012: "Follow," "Discover," and "Collection." The "Follow" tab enabled users to keep track of artists and friends' listening activity, while "Discover" provided personalized recommendations for new releases, music reviews, and concert suggestions based on their listening history.
January 2013: Spotify Discontinues Music Download Feature
Spotify discontinued its music download feature in January 2013, shifting its focus entirely towards music streaming.
January 2013: Spotify Discontinues Music Download Option
Spotify phased out its music download option in January 2013, reinforcing its commitment to a streaming-centric model and solidifying its position as a leading player in the evolving music industry landscape.
March 2013: Removal of Five-Play Limit in the UK
In March 2013, Spotify removed the five-play individual track limit for free users in the United Kingdom. The limit was never applied in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
March 2013: Spotify's User Base Grows to 24 Million
As of March 2013, Spotify's user base had expanded to 24 million, with 6 million paying subscribers.
May 2013: Spotify Acquires Music Discovery App Tunigo
In May 2013, Spotify expanded its portfolio by acquiring Tunigo, a music discovery application. This strategic acquisition aimed to enhance Spotify's capabilities in music recommendation and discovery, providing users with a more personalized listening experience.
December 2013: Spotify Launches "Spotify for Artists", Explains Business Model
In December 2013, Spotify launched the "Spotify for Artists" website to increase transparency around its business practices and revenue sharing. The platform revealed that Spotify pays 70% of its revenue to rights holders, with per-stream payouts varying based on factors like location and individual agreements.
December 2013: Introduction of Shuffle Mode for Free Tier
In December 2013, Spotify's CEO announced that free tier users on Android and iOS smartphones could listen to music in Shuffle mode, a feature previously unavailable for free accounts.
2013: Spotify Reveals Average Per-Stream Payout, Sparks Debate
In 2013, Spotify disclosed that artists received an average of $0.007 per stream, sparking debate within the music industry about the fairness of streaming royalties.
January 2014: Removal of Time Limits for Free Users
In January 2014, Spotify removed all time limits for Free users on all platforms, including computers, where a 10-hour monthly limit was previously enforced after a six-month grace period.
March 2014: Spotify Introduces Discounted Premium Subscription for Students in the US
In March 2014, Spotify launched a discounted Premium subscription tier for university students in the United States, offering a 50% discount on their subscription fees.
March 2014: Spotify Acquires Music Intelligence Company The Echo Nest
Spotify acquired The Echo Nest in March 2014, a company specializing in music intelligence. The acquisition aimed to leverage The Echo Nest's expertise in music analysis, recommendation algorithms, and data-driven insights to further enhance Spotify's personalized playlists, music discovery features, and overall user experience.
April 2014: Spotify Phases Out Peer-to-Peer Music Distribution
In April 2014, Spotify phased out its peer-to-peer (P2P) music distribution system, opting to rely solely on its servers for music delivery.
May 2014: Spotify Reaches 40 Million Users
Spotify achieved the milestone of 40 million users in May 2014, with 10 million users subscribing to the paid service.
June 2014: Spotify Discontinues Spotify Apps, Introduces Web API
Spotify made a strategic shift in June 2014 by discontinuing its "Spotify Apps" platform and introducing a Web API. This new API allowed external developers to integrate Spotify's content into their web applications.
October 2014: Spotify Launches Family Subscription
Spotify introduced its Family subscription plan in October 2014, allowing up to 5 family members to share a Premium account.
December 2014: Spotify Surpasses 60 Million Users
Spotify concluded December 2014 with over 60 million users, including 15 million who opted for paid subscriptions.
January 2015: Sony Announces PlayStation Music with Spotify as Exclusive Partner
In January 2015, Sony unveiled its new music service, PlayStation Music, with Spotify as its exclusive partner. This collaboration aimed to integrate Spotify's music streaming service into Sony's PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 gaming consoles, as well as Sony Xperia mobile devices.
March 2015: PlayStation Music Launches
PlayStation Music, a collaboration between Sony and Spotify, launched in March 2015.
April 2015: Spotify Seeks $400 Million Funding, Aims for $8.4 Billion Valuation
Spotify's pursuit of a $400 million funding round in April 2015, with an anticipated $8.4 billion valuation, underscored its ambition for rapid expansion and technological advancement in the increasingly competitive music streaming market.
May 2015: Spotify Unveils New Home Page, "Spotify Running," and Plans for Podcasts, Videos, and Original Content
In May 2015, Spotify rolled out a redesigned "Home" start-page with enhanced music recommendation capabilities. The company also launched "Spotify Running," a feature designed to enhance the music listening experience during runs by matching the tempo to the runner's pace. Additionally, Spotify announced its plans to incorporate podcasts and videos, encompassing entertainment, news, and clips, into its offerings, along with the introduction of "Spotify Originals" content.
June 2015: Spotify Acquires Data Science Firm Seed Scientific
In June 2015, Spotify acquired Seed Scientific, a data science consulting firm renowned for its expertise in analytics. In a statement to TechCrunch, Spotify highlighted that Seed Scientific's team would play a pivotal role in leading an advanced analytics unit within the company. This unit would focus on developing cutting-edge data services to enhance Spotify's capabilities in understanding user behavior, music trends, and market dynamics.
June 2015: Spotify Raises $526 Million, Achieves $8.53 Billion Valuation
In June 2015, Spotify successfully raised $526 million, exceeding its initial target and reaching an impressive valuation of $8.53 billion, cementing its position as a major player in the global music streaming industry.
June 2015: Spotify Reaches 75 Million Users
Spotify's user base expanded to 75 million in June 2015, with 20 million of those being paying subscribers.
July 2015: Launch of Discover Weekly
In July 2015, Spotify launched Discover Weekly, a playlist that provides users with music recommendations and updates every Monday.
July 2015: Spotify Challenges Apple's App Store Fees
In July 2015, Spotify launched an email campaign encouraging App Store subscribers to switch to direct subscriptions, bypassing Apple's 30% fee. When Apple rejected an app update related to this, Spotify's general counsel accused Apple of anti-competitive behavior, marking the beginning of a public dispute.
October 2015: "Thinking Out Loud" Crosses 500 Million Streams
Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud" marked a milestone in October 2015 as the inaugural song on Spotify to achieve 500 million streams.
November 2015: Spotify Introduces "Fan Insights" Panel for Artists
Spotify launched a beta version of its "Fan Insights" panel in November 2015, providing artists and managers with valuable data on their listeners, including demographics, listening habits, and geographic information.
December 2015: Discover Weekly Streaming Milestone
By December 2015, songs in Discover Weekly playlists had been streamed 1.7 billion times, as reported by Quartz.
December 2015: Spotify Debuts "Spotify Wrapped"
Spotify Wrapped, a program that generates personalized playlists based on each user's most-listened-to songs throughout the year, was launched by Spotify in December 2015. At the end of the year, users could access and save these playlists.
January 2016: Spotify Raises $500 Million Through Convertible Bonds
Spotify further strengthened its financial standing in January 2016 by raising an additional $500 million through convertible bonds, a strategic move to secure funding while potentially rewarding investors upon a future IPO.
January 2016: Spotify and Genius Partnership
In January 2016, Spotify partnered with music annotation service Genius to introduce 'Behind the Lyrics', an annotation feature in infocards while songs play. Initially available for selected playlists on Spotify's iOS app.
January 2016: Spotify Acquires Social and Messaging Startups Cord Project and Soundwave
In January 2016, Spotify made moves to enhance its social and communication features by acquiring two startups: Cord Project and Soundwave. Cord Project specialized in group messaging, while Soundwave provided a platform for music sharing and discovery. These acquisitions signaled Spotify's intention to foster a more interactive and social music listening experience for its users.
March 2016: Spotify Secures $1 Billion in Debt Financing, Plans 2017 IPO
March 2016 saw Spotify securing a substantial $1 billion in debt financing, coupled with plans for a 2017 IPO. This move highlighted the company's intention to leverage financial markets for continued growth and expansion.
March 2016: Launch of Fresh Finds Playlists
In March 2016, Spotify launched six Fresh Finds playlists, spotlighting songs by lesser-known musicians across various genres like hip-hop, electronic, and pop.
March 2016: Spotify Reaches 30 Million Paying Subscribers
Spotify's paid subscriber base grew significantly, reaching 30 million in March 2016.
April 2016: Spotify Founders Address Open Letter to Swedish Politicians
Concerned about talent recruitment in April 2016, Spotify's founders urged Swedish politicians to improve housing, education, and stock options or risk job relocation to the US.
April 2016: Spotify Acquires CrowdAlbum
In April 2016, Spotify acquired CrowdAlbum, a startup specializing in aggregating photos and videos of live performances shared across social media platforms. Spotify aimed to leverage CrowdAlbum's technology to develop products that empower artists with insights into their audience engagement, ultimately helping them understand, activate, and monetize their fanbase more effectively.
April 2016: Rihanna Becomes Spotify's Most Popular Artist
Rihanna momentarily claimed the title of Spotify's most popular artist in April 2016, surpassing Justin Bieber with over 31.3 million monthly listeners.
May 2016: Drake Overtakes Rihanna as Most Popular Artist
Drake replaced Rihanna as Spotify's most streamed artist in May 2016, amassing 31.85 million monthly listeners.
May 2016: Spotify Launches "Sponsored Playlists" for Brand Monetization
In May 2016, Spotify introduced "Sponsored Playlists," a new monetization avenue where brands could reach targeted audiences through curated playlists, aligning marketing messages with music preferences.
May 2016: Spotify Updates Family Subscription: More Members, Lower Price
Spotify's Family subscription received updates in May 2016, increasing the member limit to 6 and lowering the subscription price, making it a more accessible option for families.
June 2016: Spotify Surpasses 100 Million Users
By June 2016, Spotify had exceeded 100 million total users, marking another significant milestone.
August 2016: Launch of Release Radar
In August 2016, Spotify introduced Release Radar, a personalized playlist that updates every Friday, featuring new music from users' favorite artists along with discoveries from other artists.
September 2016: Spotify Reaches 40 Million Paying Subscribers
Spotify's paid subscriber base reached 40 million in September 2016.
November 2016: Spotify Acquires Preact to Reduce Churn and Grow Subscribers
Spotify acquired Preact, a cloud-based platform, in November 2016. Preact specialized in helping subscription-based businesses reduce churn and increase subscriber retention. Spotify's acquisition of Preact aligned with its strategic goal of optimizing its subscription model and maximizing user engagement and loyalty.
December 2016: The Weeknd Becomes Most Popular Artist, "One Dance" Hits 1 Billion Streams
December 2016 witnessed The Weeknd becoming the most popular artist on Spotify, while Drake's "One Dance" became the first song to hit a billion streams.
2016: Spotify Migrates Infrastructure to Google Cloud
Spotify migrated most of its server infrastructure to Google Cloud in 2016.
2016: Introduction of Daily Mix Feature
In 2016, Spotify introduced the Daily Mix feature, which creates playlists of music a user has previously listened to on the platform.
February 2017: Spotify Expands US Operations
February 2017 saw Spotify expanding its US presence with an office in Lower Manhattan, generating numerous jobs while maintaining existing ones.
March 2017: Spotify Restricts New Releases to Premium Tier
In March 2017, Spotify faced scrutiny after restricting some new releases to its Premium tier as part of negotiations with music labels, aiming to reduce royalty fees.
March 2017: Spotify Acquires Sonalytic and MightyTV
In March 2017, Spotify acquired audio detection startup Sonalytic to enhance personalized playlists, improve song-composition matching, and optimize its publishing data system. Later that month, they also acquired MightyTV, an app connected to various streaming services, to enhance their advertising efforts on the free service tier.
March 2017: Spotify Partners with SXSW, WNYC Studios, and Waze
In March 2017, Spotify announced several partnerships. Firstly, with South by Southwest (SXSW) conference, Spotify curated special playlists and offered content through an SXSW hub within their app, enhancing music discovery for conference attendees. Secondly, a partnership with WNYC Studios brought podcasts like Note to Self, On the Media, and Here's the Thing to Spotify. This included a two-week exclusivity period for the third season of the 2 Dope Queens podcast. Thirdly, through a partnership with Waze, users could view directions to destinations within the Spotify app and access Spotify playlists within the Waze app, blending navigation and music streaming.
April 2017: "Fan Insights" Panel Upgraded and Renamed "Spotify for Artists"
In April 2017, Spotify's "Fan Insights" panel was upgraded and rebranded as "Spotify for Artists." This enhanced platform provided artists with more comprehensive analytics, profile customization options, and direct artist support channels.
April 2017: Expansion of Behind the Lyrics to Android
In April 2017, Spotify expanded the 'Behind the Lyrics' feature to its Android app, enhancing accessibility to song annotations.
April 2017: Spotify Acquires Blockchain Startup Mediachain
Spotify acquired Mediachain, a blockchain startup, in April 2017. Mediachain specialized in building a decentralized database system designed for managing attributions and other metadata related to media. This strategic acquisition aligned with Spotify's interest in exploring blockchain technology for improving transparency and efficiency in content attribution and royalty management within the music industry.
April 2017: Spotify Expands Student Discount to More Countries
Spotify expanded its discounted Premium subscription tier for students to 33 more countries in April 2017, increasing the availability of affordable music streaming for students globally.
May 2017: Introduction of Spotify Codes
In May 2017, Spotify introduced Spotify Codes, a feature allowing users to share specific artists, tracks, playlists, or albums with others using a soundwave-style barcode.
May 2017: Spotify Acquires AI Startup Niland
Spotify's acquisition of Niland in May 2017 aimed to leverage the artificial intelligence startup's expertise in enhancing personalization and recommendation features for Spotify users. Niland's technology aligned with Spotify's ongoing efforts to provide a more tailored and engaging listening experience by leveraging AI-driven insights.
June 2017: Spotify's Financial Filings Reveal Multi-Billion Dollar Licensing Agreements
Financial filings from Spotify in June 2017 revealed agreements to pay over $2 billion in minimum payments to Universal Music Group and Merlin Network over two years, highlighting the substantial costs associated with music licensing.
June 2017: Spotify Becomes Available on Windows Store
In June 2017, Spotify expanded its platform reach by becoming available as an app through the Windows Store, increasing accessibility for Windows users.
June 2017: Spotify Announces "Secret Genius" Initiative to Honor Songwriters and Producers
In June 2017, Spotify revealed its plan to launch "Secret Genius," an initiative dedicated to recognizing the contributions of songwriters and producers in the music industry. The project included awards, songwriting workshops called "Songshops," curated playlists, and podcasts.
August 2017: "Look What You Made Me Do" Breaks Single-Day Streaming Record
Taylor Swift's "Look What You Made Me Do" shattered the single-day streaming record upon release in August 2017, garnering more than 8 million streams.
October 2017: Microsoft Discontinues Groove Music, Partners with Spotify
In October 2017, Microsoft revealed its decision to discontinue its music streaming service, Groove Music, by December of the same year. As part of this transition, Microsoft entered into a partnership with Spotify, enabling users to transfer their music libraries from Groove Music to Spotify.
October 2017: Spotify Launches "Rise" Program to Support Emerging Artists
In October 2017, Spotify introduced the "Rise" program, aimed at promoting up-and-coming artists and helping them gain exposure.
November 2017: Spotify Acquires Soundtrap
In November 2017, Spotify further expanded its offerings by acquiring Soundtrap, an online music studio startup. This strategic acquisition aimed to provide Spotify users with tools and resources for music creation, enabling them to go beyond music listening and actively engage in music production.
2017: Artists Regain Control Over Album Exclusivity on Spotify
In 2017, Spotify allowed artists under Universal Music Group and Merlin Network to release albums exclusively to paid subscribers, aiming to address concerns over artist compensation and support its public offering.
2017: Introduction of RapCaviar Playlist
In 2017, Spotify introduced RapCaviar, a hip-hop playlist. By 2019, it had 10.9 million followers and became one of Spotify's Top 5 playlists.
2017: Spotify Remains Unprofitable Despite Growth
Despite significant growth in subscribers and revenue, Spotify remained unprofitable in 2017, indicating the challenges of achieving consistent profitability in the competitive music streaming market.
2017: Spotify Delays IPO to 2018, Focuses on Strengthening Business Model
Despite initial plans for a 2017 IPO, Spotify strategically postponed it to 2018, opting to focus on enhancing its business model, improving its balance sheet, and optimizing its financial position before going public.
January 2018: Spotify Tests Pandora-Style App "Stations" in Australia
On January 31, 2018, Spotify began testing a new standalone app called "Stations by Spotify" for Android users in Australia. The app mimicked Pandora's style, offering 62 music channels dedicated to specific genres.
February 2018: Spotify Integrates with Discord, Offers Hulu Bundle
In February 2018, Spotify enhanced its user experience by integrating with Discord, enabling users to share their listening activity and host listening parties. Additionally, Spotify partnered with Hulu to offer a discounted bundle for their services, including special rates for students.
April 2018: On-Demand Listening for Free Users
In April 2018, Spotify began allowing Free users to listen on-demand to any song on one of their 15 personalized discovery playlists an unlimited number of times.
April 2018: Spotify Goes Public with Direct Public Offering
In April 2018, Spotify went public on the stock market, opting for a direct public offering (DPO) instead of a traditional initial public offering (IPO). Aimed at allowing investors to see returns rather than raising new capital, the DPO was facilitated with Morgan Stanley acting as the company's advisor.
April 2018: Spotify Acquires Loudr
On April 12, 2018, Spotify acquired Loudr, a music licensing platform, further expanding its influence in the music industry.
May 2018: Spotify Removes R. Kelly and XXXTentacion From Playlists, Sparks "Hate Content & Hateful Conduct" Policy Controversy
Spotify's "Hate Content & Hateful Conduct" policy, implemented in May 2018, removed R. Kelly and XXXTentacion's music from playlists, sparking debate about censorship and artist conduct.
June 2018: XXXTentacion's "Sad!" Breaks Single-Day Streaming Record
Following XXXTentacion's passing, his song "Sad!" broke the single-day streaming record on June 19, 2018, with 10.4 million streams.
August 2018: Spotify Acquires "The Joe Budden Podcast"
In August 2018, Spotify secured exclusive rights to "The Joe Budden Podcast," expanding its foray into the podcasting landscape. This move also involved increasing the show's frequency to a twice-weekly schedule, indicating Spotify's commitment to investing in and promoting podcast content.
September 2018: Spotify Launches "Upload Beta" for Direct Artist Uploads
Spotify launched its "Upload Beta" program in September 2018, allowing a select group of US-based artists to upload their music directly to the platform, bypassing traditional distribution channels and potentially revolutionizing artist-platform relationships.
November 2018: Spotify Expands to MENA Region
In November 2018, Spotify launched in 13 new markets within the MENA region, including an Arabic hub and curated playlists.
November 2018: Spotify Connect Opens Up to Free Users
In November 2018, Spotify made Spotify Connect available to all users, including those on the Free service, enhancing the accessibility of its multi-device listening experience.
November 2018: Spotify Launches Apple Watch App
In November 2018, Spotify released an app for Apple Watch, enabling users to control music playback on their iPhones from their watches.
January 2019: Introduction of Car View and Beta Testing Canvas
In January 2019, Spotify introduced Car View for Android, offering a compact Now Playing screen when connected to a car's Bluetooth. Additionally, they beta-tested the Canvas feature, allowing artists to upload looping visuals to tracks on iOS and Android.
February 2019: Spotify Acquires Gimlet Media and Anchor FM Inc.
On February 6, 2019, Spotify made significant strides in solidifying its presence in the podcasting industry by acquiring Gimlet Media and Anchor FM Inc., two prominent podcast networks. The move signaled Spotify's ambition to establish itself as a leading player in the podcasting world, offering a comprehensive platform for podcast creation, distribution, and consumption.
March 2019: Spotify Files Antitrust Complaint Against Apple
In March 2019, Spotify escalated its dispute with Apple by filing an antitrust complaint with the European Commission. Spotify alleged that Apple's app store practices, particularly the 30% fee and restrictions on in-app purchases, were unfair and anti-competitive.
March 2019: Spotify Acquires Podcast Network Parcast
On March 26, 2019, Spotify continued its expansion in the podcasting realm by acquiring Parcast, another podcast network known for its focus on mystery and true crime content. This acquisition further diversified Spotify's podcasting offerings and demonstrated its commitment to providing a wide range of content to its growing listener base.
May 2019: Spotify Announces "Car Thing" Voice-Activated Device
Spotify announced "Car Thing," its first hardware device for in-car music streaming, in May 2019.
June 2019: Launch of Your Daily Drive
In June 2019, Spotify launched 'Your Daily Drive', a custom playlist that combines short-form podcast news updates with a mix of favorite songs and new discoveries.
June 2019: Spotify's "Stations" App Launches for iOS and Android in the United States
On June 4, 2019, Spotify's standalone app "Stations" was officially launched and made available to all iOS and Android users in the United States.
July 2019: Spotify Discontinues "Upload Beta" Program
Despite initial enthusiasm for its potential, Spotify discontinued its "Upload Beta" program in July 2019, signaling a strategic shift away from direct artist uploads and raising questions about the future of independent music distribution on the platform.
September 2019: Spotify Acquires SoundBetter
Spotify acquired SoundBetter on September 12, 2019. SoundBetter functions as a music production marketplace, connecting music industry professionals for collaboration on projects and facilitating the distribution of music tracks for licensing purposes. This strategic acquisition aligned with Spotify's broader goal of providing a comprehensive platform for musicians and industry professionals to connect, collaborate, and monetize their work.
November 2019: Spotify Acquires Rights to "The Last Podcast on the Left"
On November 19, 2019, Spotify secured exclusive rights to "The Last Podcast on the Left," a popular podcast known for its comedic approach to true crime and paranormal topics. This acquisition further expanded Spotify's podcast library and demonstrated its strategy of acquiring exclusive rights to popular shows to attract and retain listeners.
2019: Apple Responds to Spotify's Claims, Integration with Siri Enabled
In 2019, Apple countered Spotify's claims, arguing that Spotify benefited significantly from the App Store platform. Apple also stated that they had collaborated with Spotify to integrate the service with products like Siri. Notably, iOS 13 allowed users to play Spotify using Siri commands.
2019: Spotify Recognizes Trade Unions at US Podcasting Subsidiaries
In 2019, Spotify recognized trade unions at its US-based podcasting subsidiaries, Ringer and Spotify Studios.
February 2020: Spotify Announces Intent to Acquire The Ringer
In February 2020, Spotify revealed its plans to acquire The Ringer, a prominent sports and pop culture blog and podcast network founded by Bill Simmons. This strategic move aimed to further bolster Spotify's position in the podcasting landscape, particularly in the sports and entertainment categories.
February 2020: Spotify Introduces Songwriter Pages and "Written By" Playlists
In February 2020, Spotify rolled out songwriter pages and "written by" playlists to provide fans with insights into the creative process of notable songwriters. Initial pages featured Justin Trantor, Meghan Trainor, and Missy Elliott.
April 2020: Spotify Hits 133 Million Premium Subscribers
Spotify achieved 133 million premium subscribers in April 2020.
May 2020: Introduction of Group Session Feature
In May 2020, Spotify introduced Group Session, allowing multiple Premium users to share control over music being played. This feature was later expanded to include any Premium user with a special link.
May 2020: Spotify Removes 10,000 Song Library Limit
In May 2020, Spotify removed the 10,000 song limit for users, which had previously prevented them from saving more music to their library.
May 2020: Spotify Acquires Exclusive Rights to "The Joe Rogan Experience"
In May 2020, Spotify made a significant move in the podcasting world by securing exclusive rights to stream "The Joe Rogan Experience," a widely popular podcast. The deal, reportedly valued at around US$100 million, aimed to bring Rogan's massive audience to Spotify's platform and solidify its position as a leading destination for podcast listeners.
May 2020: Spotify Curates Podcasts for "The Last Dance", Partners with Chernin Entertainment
In May 2020, Spotify collaborated with ESPN and Netflix to create podcasts for "The Last Dance" documentary. Later in September, Spotify ventured further into video content by partnering with Chernin Entertainment to produce movies and TV shows.
July 2020: Spotify Data Breach Discovered
In July 2020, cybersecurity firm VPNMentor revealed the discovery of a database containing a massive amount of Spotify user data, including login credentials. This breach affected approximately 380 million individual records, with concerns that up to 350,000 compromised accounts were at risk of credential stuffing attacks.
July 2020: Spotify Introduces Premium Duo for Couples
In July 2020, Spotify introduced Premium Duo, a new subscription tier designed for couples living at the same address, offering a cost-effective way to share a Premium account.
September 2020: Spotify Supports Epic Games, Co-founds The Coalition for App Fairness
In September 2020, Spotify showed solidarity with Epic Games in their legal battle against Apple. They co-founded The Coalition for App Fairness, advocating for fairer treatment of app developers by app stores.
November 2020: Spotify Acquires Megaphone
In November 2020, Spotify announced its plan to acquire podcast advertising company, Megaphone, from The Slate Group for US$235 million. This acquisition was part of Spotify's ongoing strategy to enhance its podcast advertising capabilities and strengthen its position in the rapidly growing podcast market.
November 2020: Spotify Responds to Data Breach
Following the discovery of a data breach earlier in the year, Spotify initiated a rolling reset of passwords in November 2020 for all user accounts impacted by the security incident. This measure aimed to mitigate the risks associated with compromised user credentials and enhance account security.
2020: United Musicians and Allied Workers Advocate for Fairer Compensation
The United Musicians and Allied Workers initiated a campaign in 2020, advocating for a more equitable system for distributing royalties and compensating musicians on Spotify.
2020: Spotify Partners with DC for Audio Shows
In 2020, Spotify teamed up with DC to create audio shows based on popular characters like Catwoman, Wonder Woman, and Superman.
2020: Spotify Experiences Revenue Growth but Reports Losses in Q1 and Q2
In 2020, Spotify experienced both growth and financial challenges. While Q1 saw substantial revenue driven by Premium subscriptions, the company still faced an operating loss. Q2 brought a larger loss attributed to tax obligations, highlighting the complexities of Spotify's financial situation.
2020: Spotify Partners with Wizarding World for Harry Potter Audiobook Release
In 2020, Spotify collaborated with Wizarding World to release a series of recorded readings of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone," featuring various stars from the popular franchise.
2020: Spotify Files FCC Documents for "Car Thing," Revealing Updated Design
In 2020, FCC filings for "Car Thing" revealed a more compact design resembling a miniature infotainment screen.
2020: Report Highlights Income Disparities Among Spotify Artists
In 2020, a report highlighted significant income disparities among Spotify artists, revealing that a small percentage earned the majority of revenue while many others struggled to generate substantial income from streaming.
January 2021: Spotify Tests Audiobooks, Expanding Content Offerings
Spotify began testing audiobooks on its platform in January 2021, exploring options to broaden its content beyond music and podcasts. This move aimed to create offerings similar to Amazon's Audible.
February 2021: Spotify Announces HiFi Subscription for Lossless Audio Quality
Spotify announced its plans to launch a HiFi subscription tier in February 2021, promising high-fidelity, lossless sound quality for audiophiles and music enthusiasts. However, the official rollout date is yet to be confirmed.
March 2021: Concerns About Spotify's Market Dominance and Impact on Musicians Surface
In March 2021, concerns arose regarding Spotify's market dominance and its impact on musician earnings, with calls for fairer compensation models.
March 2021: Union of Musicians Organizes Protests Demanding Fairer Spotify Compensation
The Union of Musicians (UMAW) organized protests in March 2021, demanding fairer compensation for artists from Spotify, including a one-cent-per-stream royalty rate.
March 2021: Spotify Restores Kakao Entertainment Content After Dispute
In March 2021, Spotify temporarily removed music from artists represented by Kakao Entertainment due to a contract dispute. However, they reached an agreement, restoring the content on the platform globally.
March 2021: Announcement of Spotify Hi-Fi
In March 2021, Spotify announced Spotify Hi-Fi, an upcoming option for higher-resolution sound.
March 2021: Spotify Acquires Betty Labs and Locker Room App
In March 2021, Spotify acquired Betty Labs and their live social audio app, Locker Room. Spotify aimed to leverage Locker Room's innovative features and growing user base to enhance its own social audio offerings, particularly in the realm of live audio discussions and interactions.
April 2021: Spotify Introduces "Hey Spotify" Voice Assistant
Spotify launched its voice assistant, "Hey Spotify," in April 2021, enabling hands-free control of the app.
May 2021: Armchair Expert Podcast Goes Exclusive on Spotify
On May 12, 2021, the popular podcast "Armchair Expert" announced its move to Spotify as an exclusive show starting July 1st. The announcement, made on Instagram, highlighted that the podcast would retain its creative control while benefiting from Spotify's reach and resources.
June 2021: Locker Room Rebranded as Spotify Greenroom and Spotify Acquires Podz and "Call Her Daddy" Podcast
In June 2021, Spotify rebranded Locker Room as Spotify Greenroom, signifying its entry into the live audio app market and positioning it as a competitor to Clubhouse. In the same month, Spotify acquired Podz, a podcast discovery startup, and secured exclusive rights to the popular "Call Her Daddy" podcast, further expanding its podcast content library.
July 2021: Launch of What's New Feed
In July 2021, Spotify launched the 'What's New' feed, a section that collects new releases and episodes from followed artists and podcasts, represented by a bell icon on the app's main page.
August 2021: Spotify Tests New "Spotify Plus" Subscription Tier
In August 2021, Spotify began testing a new subscription tier called Spotify Plus. Priced at $0.99, it offers a hybrid experience between the free and Premium tiers, allowing users to skip tracks and avoid shuffle mode while still encountering ads.
November 2021: Launch of City and Local Pulse Charts
In November 2021, Spotify launched the City and Local Pulse charts to represent songs listened to in major cities around the world. The charts cover 200 cities with the most listeners on Spotify.
November 2021: Spotify Hides Shuffle Button for Albums at Adele's Request
In November 2021, Spotify removed the shuffle button for albums at the request of singer Adele. She argued that albums are designed to be listened to in order, preserving the artist's intended narrative.
November 2021: Replacement of 'Behind the Lyrics' with Real-Time Lyrics
On 18 November 2021, Spotify replaced 'Behind the Lyrics' with auto-generated real-time lyrics, powered by Musixmatch, due to consumer demand.
November 2021: Spotify Acquires Findaway
Spotify acquired audiobook company Findaway, including its publishing imprint OrangeSky Audio in November 2021. This strategic move reflected Spotify's ambition to expand beyond music and podcasts into the growing audiobook market, offering a wider range of audio content to its users.
December 2021: Spotify Acquires Podcast Tech Company Whooshkaa
In December 2021, Spotify acquired Whooshkaa, a podcast technology company that specialized in providing tools and services for radio broadcasters to transform their existing audio content into on-demand podcast programming. This acquisition aimed to strengthen Spotify's offerings for podcast creators and facilitate a seamless transition for radio broadcasters entering the podcasting space.
2021: Spotify Expands DC Partnership for More Audio Shows
Spotify continued its partnership with DC in 2021, expanding the deal to include more audio shows based on characters such as the Riddler, Batgirl, and Lois Lane.
January 2022: Spotify Faces Backlash Over Joe Rogan's Podcast, Prompting Artist Boycotts and Policy Changes
Spotify faced criticism and artist boycotts in January 2022 due to misinformation concerns surrounding Joe Rogan's podcast, leading to the implementation of content advisories and updated platform rules.
February 2022: Spotify Acquires Chartable and Podsights
In February 2022, Spotify acquired Chartable and Podsights, both of which operate as podcast advertising companies. This strategic move aimed to bolster Spotify's capabilities in podcast advertising measurement, analytics, and attribution.
March 2022: Spotify Reaches 182 Million Premium Subscribers
In March 2022, Spotify reached 182 million premium subscribers.
May 2022: Spotify Tests NFT Integration for Artists
In May 2022, Spotify initiated a limited test, allowing select artists like Steve Aoki and The Wombats to promote their NFTs on their profiles. This test was exclusive to Spotify's Android app in the US.
May 2022: Spotify Partners with Roblox, Launches "Spotify Island"
In May 2022, Spotify partnered with the online gaming platform Roblox to launch "Spotify Island," marking the first time a streaming brand established a presence within the game.
May 2022: Spotify Announces Shutdown of "Stations" App
Spotify announced that its "Stations" app would be shut down on May 16, 2022. The company assured users that they could log into the main Spotify app using their Stations account credentials and migrate their stations.
June 2022: Spotify Acquires Sonantic
In June 2022, Spotify acquired Sonantic, a company specializing in synthetic voice and video technology. This acquisition aligned with Spotify's interest in exploring new forms of audio content creation and enhancing its personalized listening experiences through AI-powered voice technologies.
July 2022: Spotify Acquires Heardle
In July 2022, Spotify acquired Heardle, a music trivia game inspired by the popular game Wordle. The acquisition aimed to enhance Spotify's interactive features and engage users with music in new and entertaining ways.
July 2022: Spotify Discontinues "Car Thing" Device
Spotify discontinued its "Car Thing" device in July 2022.
October 2022: Spotify Acquires Kinzen
In October 2022, Spotify acquired Kinzen, a Dublin-based content moderation startup. This acquisition was part of Spotify's ongoing efforts to enhance its content moderation capabilities and address concerns related to misinformation and harmful content on its platform.
2022: Spotify Becomes Official Streaming Partner of FC Barcelona
In 2022, Spotify secured a major partnership by becoming the official streaming partner of the renowned football club, FC Barcelona.
March 2023: Spotify Partners with Patreon to Support Creators
In March 2023, Spotify announced a partnership with Patreon, aiming to provide creators with more ways to earn revenue through direct fan payments and allow fans to access Patreon content on Spotify.
March 2023: Launch of Discovery Mode Feature
In March 2023, Spotify launched Discovery Mode, a tool for independent artists to submit songs for in-house promotion on personal algorithmic playlists. A 30% commission applies to royalties from streams in Discovery Mode contexts.
April 2023: Spotify Plans to Shut Down Spotify Live
Spotify planned to shut down its live audio platform, Spotify Live, in April 2023. This decision reflected the challenges Spotify faced in gaining traction in the competitive live audio market, leading to a strategic shift in focus.
May 2023: Spotify Shuts Down Heardle
Spotify shut down Heardle, the Wordle-inspired music trivia game it had acquired in July 2022, in May 2023.
May 2023: Spotify Removes Songs by Boomy Over Suspected "Artificial Streaming"
In May 2023, Spotify removed a significant number of songs uploaded by the music creation platform Boomy due to suspicions of "artificial streaming," a practice involving bots to inflate listening figures.
September 2023: Introduction of Daylist Playlist
In September 2023, Spotify introduced 'Daylist', a new type of playlist that adapts to the user's mood throughout the day.
November 2023: Spotify Expands Free Audiobook Access to Premium Subscribers
In November 2023, Spotify made a significant move by providing free access to 200,000 audiobooks for its Spotify Premium subscribers.
November 2023: Spotify Announces New Royalty Model to Combat "Fraudulent" Royalties
In November 2023, Spotify announced a new royalty model to address concerns about "fraudulent" royalties generated from short, non-music tracks. The model, taking effect in 2024, introduces a listening threshold for royalty eligibility and stricter counting methods for "functional" tracks.
December 2023: Spotify Ranked 47th Most Visited Website Globally
By December 2023, Spotify became the 47th most popular website internationally, with a majority of its traffic originating from the US and Brazil, based on Semrush data.
2023: Report Shows Small Percentage of Artists Earning Significant Revenue
A report in 2023 indicated that only a small fraction of artists on Spotify (approximately 0.19%) earned $50,000 or more in 2020, highlighting the challenges faced by many musicians in the streaming era.
2023: Works Council Established in Germany, Swedish Unions Face Challenges
In 2023, a Works Council was established at Spotify in Germany. However, Swedish trade unions encountered difficulties in collective bargaining with the company.
2023: Spotify Merges Anchor into Spotify for Podcasters
In 2023, Spotify made a strategic move to streamline its podcasting tools by merging Anchor into its "Spotify for Podcasters" platform. This rebranding effort aimed to consolidate Spotify's offerings for podcast creators, providing them with a centralized hub for creating, managing, growing, and monetizing their podcasts.
April 2024: Spotify Further Expands Audiobook Access and Catalogue
In April 2024, Spotify extended its audiobook availability to Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand, adding to its initial reach in the US, UK, and Australia. The platform also announced an expansion of its audiobook catalogue to an impressive 250,000 books.
May 2024: Spotify Announces End of Support for "Car Thing"
In May 2024, Spotify announced that "Car Thing" devices would cease functioning on December 9, 2024.
June 2024: Spotify Reaches 626 Million Users
As of June 2024, Spotify boasts a user base exceeding 626 million, including 246 million paid subscribers.
December 2024: "Car Thing" Devices Officially Stop Working
Spotify's "Car Thing" devices officially stopped working on December 9, 2024.
2024: Spotify's New Royalty Model Takes Effect
Spotify's controversial royalty model, announced in November 2023, is enacted. The model aims to curb "fraudulent" royalties from short, non-music tracks but has been met with mixed reactions from the music industry.