Ads on Podcasts created and distributed by Spotify

[arzenix]

Why does Spotify put ads on Podcasts created by Spotify and only released by Spotify on the Spotify app? This is absolutely unacceptable. You are putting ads all over the app for your own Podcasts, that alone is quite disturbing given you are creating an advantage for your own material. 

But that's not it - you are also PUTTING ADS on those podcast. I have been a premium user for over a decade and I pay for an ad free experience. Now you are both showing ads for your own podcasts in the app and also ads to other companies in the actual podcast, not one but two 30 second ads. Absolutely unacceptable!

Please see screenshots, reklam = commercial 

[Mitre226644]

Because ads generate revenue and Spotify makes their money from premium subs and ads (yes, ads for premium subs for podcasts only too). 

Apple, Amazon, and YouTube, meanwhile, have $375 billion, $575 billion, and $300 billion in yearly revenue from their other services, and are charging the same sub fees and have ads.  

Not an unfair situation.

[arzenix]

I beg to differ. Why produce podcasts at all if you're going to put multiple ads on each episode and also put banners all over the app and in the end call it an ad free and premium service? Not only is Spotify creating an unfair advantage for themselves but it also makes the "premium experience" less worth it. 

It's not about the money - I would not mind paying extra to get rid of the ads but Spotify doesn't provide that. I already pay three different podcast creators on Patreon to get an ad free experience.

 Spotify is however charging me for a service which they claim should be free from ads which is not true. 

The solution is fairly simple for me - don't listen to podcasts created by Spotify. What to app doesn't allow me stay away from is the commercials in the app for podcasts created by Spotify. That's honestly very disturbing.

I also could not care less about what other multi billion companies are doing. Should I feel sorry for them for not making more money than they already are? Not going to happen.

[Mitre226644]

You beg to differ. Alright. You're everywhere, man. You might read the terms if you're interested in the legal language regarding podcasts. The music is always ad-free on paid subscriptions, but not podcasts. It's a different revenue model. 

Also, your theory about Spotify placing ads for their own podcasts on their own platform creating an "unfair advantage" is baffling. You're on their platform. Would it make business sense for them to advertise Apple services? 

Also, your example in your first post is an ad you received while listening to a PODCAST not music. Stay away from the podcasts, per your own suggestion, and problem solved. 

Politely: Read the terms, either agree or disagree with them, and take whatever action suits you. Your noble crusade exists in your mind only. 

[ollewallander]

Hey Mitre, if you enjoy commercial breaks so much then yey for you. Why does it bother you when the ones who want the ad-free experience that they pay for acually voice their concerns and try to speak up about it?

For me it's gotten to the point where I've gotten 7 half minute breaks in one episode of spotify's own pods. They are ramping up the breaks and making the experience worse. Unless people speak up they won't do anything but keep increasing the ads.

I'm not saying you are wrong, if you want more ads that's up to you to speak up for but don't invalidate those who wants less ❤️

[Mitre226644]

Nobody likes ads. Including me. They’re intentionally disruptive and unwanted. But they make these platforms money and so they’ll stick around.

I can’t speak for what you’re experiencing, and will take you at your word in terms of the ads being overwhelming, but it feels like there is a grey area between what everyone is experiencing so either it’s interpretation or fact and I’m not one to say who’s right. All that I know is that ads make podcasts available and I like podcasts, so hitting the skip button every so often is fine by me. Seems like a silly solution but this is new for Spotify in the big scheme of things so we will see how it plays out. They have been talking about a variety of tier options, so maybe this will be in play there.

Best to you, 

[Amarinhu]

The amount of ads considering it's Premium, are overwhelming. I think that's what you want? More people talking about the obvious fact they are. Maybe enough people will manifest here to convince your brain.

[Mitre226644]

@amarinhu,

Podcasts are a different ballgame than the advertising model for ads on other content mediums. “Overwhelming” is subjective, I’m afraid, and I don’t care at all how many people are talking about it because customers are not a source of neutral diplomacy. Customers are generally the worst people on earth. They will never “convince my brain,” nor will you, nor will any customer because they don’t call the shots. And if you get what you want, I’ll be happy for you and stay tuned for your next round of outrage over some form of cruel disenfranchisement from Spotify. 

[ollewallander]

Do you by chance work in costumer support at a compay that doesn't have their customers interests at heart. 

It sounds like you have to defend your company against angry custumers a lot. I've workt in the first line towards custumers for many years but at a company that takes their consumers seriously. 

I don't think anyone here is trying to ruin your day, just trying to raise their conserns when a service they love is changing for the worse. 

The ads in normal podcasts are sectioned out with the podcasts content in mind, not abruptly interrupting it in the middle of a sentence for example. If Spotify can't do without these ad-breaks then they should at the very least make it less interruptive than as is now.

Lastly, I think we can both agree that no matter how annoying and stupid custumers can be, a company can't survive without them. Before I leave the service that Spotify provides I'd like to give them a chance to enhance the current experience.

[Mitre226644]

I don’t work in customer service, but I’m certainly on Spotify’s side, not yours on this matter. The reason being- Spotify puts their customers forward more so than their competitors who happen to control corners of the internet and commerce in general. The customers are just too focused on their personal gripes that they miss the big picture. Spotify is focused on content. Podcasts and audiobooks specifically, before their contemporaries capture the opportunity. What’s great is that their strategy is finally proving successful. Despite the threats of leaving the platform in droves for whatever reason they come up with, customers are staying, subs are growing, and they’re earning profits finally. Their stock is up, and they’re diversifying. 

Go ahead and leave, I’d say.

Best to you 

[ollewallander]

I don't get your grim outlook on the matter. If people are concerned and want to speak their mind in a space created to do so, why wouldn't they 🙂 Or do you think the community form was created only to praise Spotify?

I guess we differ in that way, I'd rather try get my opinion heard to get a change for the better, than just leave every time something doesn't go my way.

Telling others who might not chare my opinion to like it or leave it isn't quite for me. If you don't want anything to change then that's fine. Just as much as you are free to say so, the rest of us are free to say that we do want a change, no matter how much or how little Spotify listens to us.

Finally, I highly doubt that Spotify doesn't care what their users are saying and I do believe they weighs in the critics at some level in their development.

All the best to you too!

[Mitre226644]

For the love of God man. 

1. The community wasn’t made for people to post about policies that have been outlined in their terms. The original post prompted me to react because it was uninformed and unfair. Do you think Spotify employees are creating the Spotify podcasts that are hosted by Trevor Noah? These things cost money- it isn’t complicated. 
   
   
2. If you want to suggest a change or what you perceive as a glitch, put it in the ideas section not the chat section. That’s how it gets seen by moderators or admins.
3. There are two main points being made by you folks: 1.That ads make podcasts bad. Fine, your opinion, good luck changing the way podcasts work. 2. That  Spotify is somehow in the wrong for promoting their podcasts (along with the claim that they’re slowing taking over the entire podcast and app for that matter) and that’s a violation of the premium subscription. That’s a lack of understanding about how monetizing podcasts work, and not reading the terms (I included links a couple times if you want to backtrack). 
   
   

I think Spotify makes plenty of mistakes, questionable decisions, and is far from perfect. Keep expressing yourselves and your dissatisfaction if you wish- that’s not my concern. But don’t confuse your opinions as facts, and fail to acknowledge the established terms of the subscription. Or how podcasts make money so they can exist on the platform. 

[ollewallander]

You must be choosing to miss the point, we don’t think ads in podcasts are bad, at least I don’t. Its the way Spotify goes about it that is bad.

My main grievance was that the ads are just thrown in at random, nor in respect to the pod but what ever, you keep missing the point so I give up.

And hey, if this is the wrong place to say so then my bad. 

[Mitre226644]

I interpreted this statement as you don’t want ads, not “ads are not bad.” 

I’m choosing not to ignore your posturing. You don’t like the way Spotify inserts ads into podcasts is what I’m assuming you would claim your point is. The thread has other points that you’re choosing to ignore.

And that brings me to my next point which is I’m choosing to stop arguing with you. You are the destroyer of happiness, that which makes humanity frown, and the human embodiment of all that is annoying and miserable. 

Goodbye dear friend 

 

[zheana]

This has been an issue for SO LONG. I've also posted a thread on this subject and this same guy right here started spewing this garbage and defending this big corporation that is already drowning in profit and has plenty of means to fix the issue and actually hear what their users are saying. It's really baffling how some people are naturally submissive boot lickers.

If podcasters want or need to include ads they are free to do it WITHIN the podcast, as MANY do with their sponsors and such. But we're talking about separate, 15 to 30 second ads that are hosted and promoted by Spotify itself and play before or after the podcast. I don't give a flying F if the terms don't include podcasts in the no-ads-for-premium-users policy. This doesn't matter, those terms were probably written before Spotify (and their podcast platform) got as big as it is right now, so it obviously has to be updated because so many people are annoyed by it. It's NOT the user's responsibility to find solutions to this problem.

Spotify has more than enough resources to code their software to skip these ads in premium accounts the same way they do with music. If the podcasters chose to exhibit ads, same as artists whose music is on the platform, they'll have separate ads for free users only. And if they NEED to endorse their sponsors to all of their audience, then do so within the goshdarned episode.

"Oh but the TERMS and CONDISHUNS" honestly dude grow a pair. The whole reason this forum exists in the first place is to discuss how to improve user experience. If you feel helpless and useless then it's your own problem, I for once actually believe in change and change usually comes with nonconformity, being vocal and demanding what's right and what's best for everyone.

But obviously you don't care because one quick look at your profile and anyone can see that you're a pathetic little troll that only joins a discussion to pester people with your lame views to get some attention. What happened, did you apply for a job at Spotify and got rejected? Did mommy and daddy not give you enough praise? Did your high school crush thought you were a loser? She was probably right, because look at you now lol. Log off this forum and go get some therapy asap.

Neither Spotify nor podcasters are going to go hungry and poor if Spotify listen to their users for once.

[Mitre226644]

👏. Bless you brave zheana.

[EvelynTaylor]

I also strongly object to the excessive ads during podcasts.

When I chatted with Stephen at Spotify, he said the ads are inserted by the podcast creator.

1. Follow the money...