Spotify loves to tinker, and now it’s tinkering—again—with song lyrics for free users.
After making real-time song lyrics almost entirely exclusive to paid users earlier this year, Spotify has changed its tune, telling Engadget that it is “expanding lyrics availability for Spotify Free users.”
Spotify turned lyrics into a Spotify Premium-only feature back in May, restricting free users to just three songs a month with real-time lyrics. Spotify first began testing song lyric restrictions on free users last fall.
This news story is part of TechHive’s in-depth coverage of the best streaming music services.
A quick look at the Spotify app reveals that song lyrics do, indeed, seem to be back on my own free Spotify account, with no apparent restrictions after listening for a few hours this morning.
So, are real-time lyrics for Spotify free users permanently back and unlimited? Well, that’s not entirely clear.
Asked by TechCrunch, Spotify waffled on that point, with a rep saying that the music-streaming giant is “always testing and iterating” (true) while noting that “the availability of our feature can vary across tiers and between markets and devices” (also true).
“Over the coming weeks, we’ll be expanding lyrics availability for Spotify Free users so more people can enjoy viewing more lyrics, globally,” Spotify’s statement continued.
Reached for comment, a Spotify spokesperson referred TechHive to the company’s earlier statement, without elaborating.
Spotify has long tried to find ways to draw more users to its paid Premium tier, with real-time lyrics being just the latest (and, evidently, not terribly successful) example.
Recently, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek confirmed that the streamer is working on a “much better version” of Spotify that would include “a lot more control” and “a lot higher quality across the board,” an apparent reference to the long-awaited arrival of lossless music tracks.
Spotify first launched real-time song lyrics for all users back in 2021.
Updated shortly after publication to add a comment from Spotify.
Author: Ben Patterson, Senior Writer, TechHive
Ben has been writing about technology and consumer electronics for more than 20 years. A PCWorld contributor since 2014, Ben joined TechHive in 2019, where he has covered everything from smart speakers and soundbars to smart lights and security cameras. Ben's articles have also appeared in PC Magazine, TIME, Wired, CNET, Men's Fitness, Mobile Magazine, and more. Ben holds a master's degree in English literature.