In 2021, Spotify had surpassed 183,380,000 app downloads with over 381 million active users and more than 172 million paying subscribers, so it is hard to imagine a world without this music streaming service.

The app revolutionised how we listen to music by making it easier than ever to find a song or album that suits our mood or activity but has this streaming service developed over the past few years?

The Rise of Spotify

Spotify, a Swedish audio and media services streaming provider founded in 2006 by Daniel Ek and Martin Lorenzton, is credited with being a significant influence on songwriting and changing how people listen to music.

With the ease of finding any song in seconds, many artists have taken advantage of it by writing short, catchy songs that are easy to write but hard to forget, often referred to as earworms.

This also led some famous musicians back in 2006 to see a resurgence in their popularity as people are rediscovering their music on Spotify. Spotify also had a significant impact on the business side of the music industry by changing how royalties are paid out to artists.

In addition, it has allowed small independent artists to build an audience and make a living off their music without needing a record label.

Spotify has also allowed music fans to discover more new artists and genres than any other platform in history by providing easy access to everyone, not just the most popular songs or biggest acts.

What Features Make Spotify Unique and Popular?

Spotify’s Discover Weekly Playlist

The discover weekly playlist is a personalized list of songs that changes every week. This is great for finding new music as it provides an endless supply of different playlists based on your personal preferences and listening history.

Private Listening Session

If you are an avid Spotify user, the chances are that your friends know what music you like. With the private session feature, you can listen to any song on Spotify without sharing it with your friends!

Friends Activity

When a friend listens to a song or album, and even when they create their playlist or add songs to collaborative playlists, you’ll be able to see what they’re listening to right from your friend’s list!

Behind the Lyrics

Spotify has partnered with Genius to bring you “behind the lyrics,” which provides interesting and often hilarious facts about the songs that you are listening to.

Sharing Music with Friends and Family

Sharing a song on social media makes it easier than ever for people to find new artists and songs they love. The best part is that there’s no need for your friend or family member to have a Spotify account, as they can listen to the song on YouTube.

Daily Mixes

The daily mixes are an excellent way to explore new music without ever getting bored. These mixes are tailored specifically for you and your listening habits, so it’s a great way to find new music that you’ll love.

Create Collaborative Playlists

The collaborative playlist is an excellent way for people to discover new music. By inviting friends or family members, you can create playlists that everyone enjoys and vote on songs they like the most.

These lists change every week based on what songs are being added by all users, so it’s different each time!

Spotify Connect (Multiroom Audio)

This is a great feature that allows you to play music in different rooms or areas of your home. For example, this can be used on various speakers throughout the house (such as an A/V receiver, smart speaker, and soundbar).

The best part about this feature is there’s no need for any additional hardware; connect your phone to different speakers and select the song you want in each room.

Influence of Music Streaming Services in Society

People are Listening To Music More Than Ever Before

There is a consensus that people are listening to music more than ever before, and Spotify is primarily credited with this change.

People are Writing and Producing Music More Than Ever Before

In a similar vein, there is an argument that people write and produce music more than ever before. And once again, Spotify is seen as one of the catalysts for this change.

Record Labels Are Struggling More Than Ever

With the prevalence of online music streaming, there is a consensus that record labels are struggling more than ever. Spotify and other music streaming services have been directly blamed for this change in how people consume and pay for their music

The argument here is that with Spotify and other streaming services being so popular, it’s also led to an increase in music sales. This is mainly due to the fact that people are now able to listen to their favourite songs without having to purchase them.

Summary

Music streaming services have had a profound impact on the music industry and society by making it easier than ever for people to find, listen to, and share their favorite songs.

What started as a simple music streaming service has turned into one of the most popular apps in the world. With its ever-growing list of features, it’s clear that Spotify isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.