Spotify is a massive music streaming platform, boasting hundreds of millions of users. It’s popular for good reasons: it offers a free plan, an intuitive interface, and an impressive library that includes music, podcasts, and audiobooks. You can access Spotify on many devices, from TVs to smart speakers and cars. Plus, they recently introduced lossless audio, letting users enjoy high-quality sound without extra costs.
However, even the biggest names can have flaws. Here are some uncomfortable truths about Spotify that you should know.
AI-generated Music is Rising
When you listen to music on Spotify, you might think every song comes from a human artist. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. A growing number of tracks are made by artificial intelligence (AI). In a notable example from July 2025, a band called Velvet Sundown gained popularity on Spotify using AI-generated music. Despite Spotify’s promises in September 2025 to strengthen its policies around AI music, many AI tracks remain unmarked on the platform. This has led to some artists boycotting Spotify, voicing concerns over AI’s impact on the music industry.
Low Artist Payouts
Spotify compensates artists based on the number of streams their tracks receive. But the payouts are notoriously low. Estimates vary, but artists reportedly earn between $0.003 and $0.005 per stream. A report from Duetti in 2024 revealed that Spotify paid around $3 for every 1,000 streams—significantly less than platforms like Apple Music and Amazon Music, which paid $6.20 and $8.80 per 1,000 streams, respectively. As a result, many artists struggle to make a living through their work on Spotify.
Repetitive Recommendations
Spotify’s recommendation system is designed to personalize your music experience. However, many users find the suggestions repetitive. While Spotify’s algorithms aim to match your tastes, they often fall short, offering the same types of music over and over. Research from MIT Technology Review indicates that these algorithms focus on keeping listeners engaged rather than introducing them to new sounds. Consequently, many users miss out on discovering fresh music.
You Don’t Own the Music
Even if you pay for a Spotify Premium subscription, you don’t actually own the music you listen to. You’re essentially renting access to songs, which can be removed without notice due to licensing issues. This differs from purchasing music outright, as with services like iTunes, where you keep what you buy. Essentially, to enjoy songs on Spotify, you must remain subscribed.
Not Every Song is Available
Despite its enormous catalog of over 100 million tracks, Spotify doesn’t have every song out there. Artists can remove their music, and sometimes popular tracks simply aren’t available. High-profile cases include Neil Young and Joni Mitchell, who pulled their catalogs in protest over Spotify’s policies and practices. With artists like Taylor Swift and others following suit for various reasons, it’s a reminder that even the most extensive music libraries have gaps.
Understanding these aspects of Spotify can help you navigate your music experience with clearer expectations. While it excels in many areas, it’s important to be mindful of its limitations.
