After ten years with Spotify, I’ve decided to move on. It’s not personal; it’s just that we’ve grown apart.
Over the years, I considered leaving Spotify many times. The platform has faced criticism for paying artists poorly compared to other services. Plus, its decision to host Joe Rogan’s controversial podcast didn’t sit well with me. I found it troubling that Spotify allowed misinformation about COVID-19 to spread widely.
Recently, I’ve noticed Spotify’s attempts to control the podcasting landscape, hindering the independence of creators. Despite all this, I stayed loyal until I realized I was unhappy with the app’s overwhelming reliance on algorithmic recommendations.
When I open Spotify, I’m bombarded with pop-ups and suggestions that often don’t reflect my tastes. It feels cluttered. Instead of listening to music I love, I found myself drifting towards what Spotify suggested, losing my sense of choice.
This realization wasn’t easy. It struck me that I had given up my control. And then there’s the financial aspect. A recent report by music financing platform Duetti reveals that Spotify pays only about $3 per 1,000 streams. In comparison, Apple Music pays $6.20, and Amazon Music pays $8.80. This disparity has angered many artists, prompting some, like Deerhoof and Xiu Xiu, to pull their music in protest.
It’s not the first time artists left Spotify over ethical concerns. Joni Mitchell and Neil Young did so in 2022 for similar reasons but returned two years later. Their actions echo a growing sentiment among users and artists alike.
Choosing a new streaming service felt complicated. But I eventually settled on Apple Music, partly due to a free trial that came with my new iPhone. Plus, Apple Music offers high-quality audio, a feature Spotify has promised for years but hasn’t delivered. Yet, I recognize Apple is another tech giant, raising its own set of ethical concerns.
Just recently, Tim Cook presented a custom plaque to Donald Trump at the White House while advocating for tariff exemptions for Apple products. Such actions leave me questioning my choice all over again.
Yet, I find that the Apple Music app is less cluttered than Spotify. Perhaps it’s not about finding the perfect platform, but rather about making a choice that aligns better with my values—even if it’s still a choice between giants.
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