It was only a few months ago that Spotify expanded its ‘test’ and locked song lyrics behind its premium paywall. Thankfully for free users, the company will reverse that decision and make song lyrics available to all users.
Hopefully, other companies take note and think twice before trying to charge for once-free features.
It was just a prank
Speaking to Engadget, a Spotify spokesperson said the company was “always testing and iterating” and that it would be restoring its lyrics feature to full power for free users “over the coming weeks.”
When Spotify began its test of charging for access to lyrics in September last year, it meant that free users could only follow along to the lyrics of three songs a month – much to the ire of those freeloaders users.
But it seems that, in a strange turn of events, the company has taken user feedback to heart and will go back on its decision to charge R65/m for unlimited access to lyrics. That’s not something you see every day.
Read more: Spotify’s lossless audio steaming could finally see light as a ‘Music Pro’ add-on
During the music streamer’s latest earnings call, CEO Daniel Ek said the company would be “prioritizing enhancements in [its] free product pipeline.” What those enhancements are, beyond adding back unlimited lyrics access, remains to be seen.
We’re willing to bet they won’t include access to high-res lossless music streaming, however. Spotify is still working on that feature three years after first announcing it. When it does eventually arrive, expect to pay even more.