Spotify Plus would open up new features while still making you hear ads.
Spotify is actively testing a replacement subscription plan. Called Spotify Plus, the new tier will sit somewhere between the prevailing Free tier and Premium tier. They are giving users more listening options while still being supported by ads. and everyone for just $0.99/month.
This is a tempting prospect… if it ever sees the sunshine of day beyond a small number of users.
Spotify Explores a New Ad-Supported Tier
As first reported by The Verge, Spotify is testing Spotify Plus with “a limited number of […] users.”
Spotify is testing a less restrictive ad-supported tier costing $0.99 a month https://t.co/ZgbG9FNdCw pic.twitter.com/lLZovolqQN
— The Verge (@verge) August 3, 2021
In its current form, Spotify Plus offers unlimited skips and on-demand listening (both features are only currently available to Premium Users), except for a fraction of the worth. For example, Spotify Premium costs $9.99/month, while Spotify Plus costs just $0.99/month.
The difference is, of course, the inclusion of ads. Spotify Premium subscribers never have their listening experience interrupted by ads, but Spotify Plus would be ad-supported and thus still force users to concentrate on ads occasionally.
After reporting on Spotify Plus, The Verge secured a press release (and confirmation of the test), with Spotify saying:
We’re always working to reinforce the Spotify experience, and that we routinely conduct tests to tell our decisions. For example, we’re currently testing an ad-supported subscription plan with a limited number of our users.
Spotify was quick to means that this is often currently only a test, however, which does not guarantee it’ll ever be made more widely available. The streaming giant said:
Some tests find yourself paving the way for brand spanking new offerings or enhancements, while others may only provide learnings. Unfortunately, we don’t have any additional information to share at this point.
However, many of Spotify’s previous tests have indeed resulted in new products and services, so there is a good chance Spotify Plus will become available within the future.
Is Spotify Plus the Answer to Our Prayers?
Spotify‘s free tier is extremely restrictive in what it offers users.
A couple of playlists (such as Discover Weekly and Daily Mix) will be explored at will. However, outside of these, free users can only shuffle tracks blindly and are limited to a small number of skips per hour.
This is clearly all designed to frustrate you into upgrading to Premium.
So, a reasonable alternative that removes those restrictions while still being purchased by ads seems a wise solution. And an excellent option for people who can’t afford Premium but still want to urge more out of Spotify.
