Following on from their announcement earlier in the week to only accept new customers who have a Facebook account or sign up for one, Spotify has today announced that it will be closing their Open account service and replacing it with a six-month unlimited trial. After your 6 months are up, your trial will be limited to 10 hours of streaming per month and a 5-play limit will be applied to individual tracks.
If you already have an Open account with Spotify, the company has explained what will happen in a statement after the jump. If you are already a paying subscriber to Spotify, there are no changes to your account.
Details of the New Policy
Spotify explains:
“If you’ve had your Spotify Open account for less than six months, you’ll discover that your time cap has gone. And it’ll stay gone until your account reaches its six-month birthday…if you’ve had your Spotify Open account for more than six months, you’ll still be limited by time. As you’ve been with us for a while, the chances are you also enjoyed a six-month period without time limits when you first joined.”
This new policy aims to streamline Spotify’s user base and encourage more users to transition to their premium service. By offering a six-month unlimited trial, Spotify hopes to give users a taste of the full experience, making it more likely that they will subscribe to a paid plan once the trial period ends. This move is also seen as a way to reduce the number of inactive or low-usage accounts, thereby optimizing their resources and improving service quality for active users.
Impact on Existing Users
For existing users who have been enjoying the Open account service, this change might come as a surprise. However, Spotify has assured that those who have been with the service for less than six months will not face any immediate restrictions. This grace period allows new users to fully explore Spotify’s offerings without worrying about time caps. On the other hand, users who have had their Open accounts for more than six months will continue to face the existing limitations, which include restricted streaming hours and a cap on the number of times a track can be played.
This change also highlights Spotify’s ongoing efforts to integrate more closely with Facebook. By requiring new users to have a Facebook account, Spotify is leveraging the social media platform’s vast user base to expand its reach. This integration allows for a more personalized and social listening experience, as users can easily share their favorite tracks and playlists with friends.
In addition to these changes, Spotify continues to innovate and expand its features. For instance, the platform has been investing in exclusive content such as podcasts and live sessions, aiming to provide a more diverse range of entertainment options. This strategy not only attracts new users but also keeps existing users engaged.
Moreover, Spotify’s focus on personalized recommendations and curated playlists has set it apart from other streaming services. By analyzing user behavior and preferences, Spotify can offer a tailored listening experience that keeps users coming back for more. This level of personalization is a key factor in retaining subscribers and encouraging free users to upgrade to premium plans.
In conclusion, while the closure of the Open account service and the introduction of a six-month unlimited trial may initially seem restrictive, it is a strategic move by Spotify to enhance user experience and drive growth. By offering a taste of the premium features and integrating with Facebook, Spotify aims to create a more engaged and loyal user base. Existing users can continue to enjoy the service with minimal disruption, while new users have the opportunity to explore all that Spotify has to offer before committing to a subscription.
Source: TNW
Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals
Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
