The first service that comes to mind when considering music streaming platforms is Spotify. Whether you love it or hate it, Spotify has 456 million users and close to 200 million subscribers, making it the most popular music platform right now, surpassing rivals like Apple Music.
But what exactly is Spotify?
Since its initial release in 2008, Spotify has been around for almost 15 years. Spotify is a digital music streaming platform that offers millions of tracks for streaming across several gadgets. It functions with computers, smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and automobiles.
There are a number of reasons that contribute to this application’s widespread success. The first is that it includes songs from many genres and periods, including the current top singles.
The second is that Spotify is free to use. The user can instantly access and listen to the music they want for free; they are not needed to pay for a song or subscribe. The main problem is that some features are unavailable without a paid subscription, and advertisements could run between songs.
How to use Spotify
There are several ways to use Spotify’s music streaming platform. For instance, you can use the radio feature of the portal, which plays music of various genres. Additionally, there are pre-made playlists and regularly updated charts.
You may also view the songs your friends are currently listening to if you are signed in with your Facebook account. Additionally, Spotify allows you to make your own playlists. The subscription model you pick also affects the extent of use.
Although this music streaming platform is free, it has a small user base, no offline capabilities, and commercial breaks. It’s advised to upgrade to Spotify Premium for unrestricted use.
- The music platform is accessible on PCs, Android, and iOS devices. The program is simple to use and comparable to other online popular music platforms.
- You’re under no financial obligation to purchase the songs you enjoy. Instead, Spotify relies heavily on revenue from advertisements to support itself. However, it also has commercials that are played in between songs. Although it frequently appears, it is seldom extremely long.
- You can upgrade to Spotify Premium to turn off the advertising. There, you get unrestricted, ad-free access to every book and podcast the portal has to offer. The offline functionality of Spotify Premium is an additional advantage. Large volumes of data are saved, and it’s also cost-effective.
- For families, partners, and students, Spotify offers a variety of paid subscription plans. Every subscription option has a monthly cancellation option.
Features of Spotify – music, podcasts, and other content.
There is something for every listener in Spotify’s enormous catalog of content, which includes over 80 million songs and 4.7 million podcasts. The fun aspect is that the music streaming platform will also create some playlists catered to your tastes, so you always have something new to explore. You can create your own playlists and share them with anyone. Based on your prior listening habits, the Discover Weekly playlist suggests new music for you to check out, and the Release Radar allows you to discover brand-new music from your favorite artists.
To locate specific songs, complete albums, Spotify playlists, public playlists, and even podcasts, you may refine the search by genre and mood. Spotify is more sociable than other music streaming platforms since you can create collaborative playlists to obtain a blend of your and your friends’ musical preferences.
The Facebook login option and the ability to see what your friends are listening to provide another layer of social integration that makes the whole experience feel a little more social. Additionally, Spotify has integrated song lyrics directly into the app, allowing you to host a fun karaoke night without ever leaving your sofa.
According to your registered location, you may get local songs and holiday-themed content on the music streaming platform because its content tends to lean locally. On the homepage, for instance, a user in the U.S. would discover English chart-toppers and Christmas tunes, while a person in India might discover Bollywood songs and Diwali artists. However, this does not imply that you cannot access foreign content. The majority of the library is accessible to anyone, anywhere, and over time, your listening habits start to affect your recommendations from Spotify.
Alternative music streaming platforms
Although Spotify is now the most popular music streaming platform, you have a lot of options if Spotify isn’t your thing. Apple Music, which, like Spotify, offers a vast library of content and podcasts, is available to iOS users. Amazon Music, which has around 100 million songs without advertisements, is available to Amazon Prime customers. Another excellent alternative for YouTube enthusiasts is YouTube Music, and Tidal has always been a popular option for people who are pickier about what they listen to.