Spotify will now let free users pick and play tracks

In a significant update to its platform, Spotify has announced new features for free users that allow them greater control over their listening experience. This move comes shortly after the company introduced lossless streaming for its paid subscribers. As of Monday, users on the free tier will have the ability to search for and play any song of their choice, as well as enjoy tracks shared by friends or artists through social media. The features, dubbed "Pick & Play," "Search & Play," and "Share & Play," aim to enhance user engagement. With "Pick & Play," free users can simply hit play in the Spotify app to listen to any track they desire. The "Search & Play" feature enables users to look for specific songs, making it easier than ever to find and enjoy their favorites. Meanwhile, "Share & Play" encourages users to explore music shared on platforms like Instagram, where tracks can be directly shared to Stories and Notes. Previously, free users faced limitations, primarily shuffling songs with a restricted number of skips on mobile devices. While the new features will be implemented globally, Spotify has indicated that some restrictions will still apply compared to the Premium experience. This change comes as Spotify seeks to address challenges within its advertising business, which has not performed to expectations. CEO Daniel Ek acknowledged that the company has been "moving too slowly" to capitalize on ad revenue, which currently accounts for only 11% of total revenue, well below the target of 20%. By introducing these new features, Spotify hopes to increase interaction among its free user base and, in turn, expose them to more advertisements. Despite these changes, certain features, including lossless audio and AI-generated playlists, will remain exclusive to Premium subscribers. However, other tools such as personalized playlists and messaging will be available to both free and paid users. As of the latest quarter, free users constitute the majority of Spotify's 696 million monthly active users, with 433 million on the ad-supported tier and 276 million paying subscribers.