Condom Advert Feedback

[fvghalliwell]

Hi there, I'm relatively new to Spotify. I love the service, but I'm kind of weirded out by one thing: of late, they've been playing two Trojan (condom) ads. This is fine in and of itself, but I listen to my music in common areas a lot, places where my family can hear. When it comes to the younger kids, I'm nervous about them hearing it (they also have Spotify accounts of their own, so I'm a little concerned about that, too, because the ads are a bit...specific); with the older relatives, I know it'll just be too weird. Is there any way to report an ad or stop if from playing on your personal Spotify? I don't mind ads at all--I just mind this ad, considering the fact that it's legitimately weird. Thank you in advance!

[HaleyClark]

Ah I wish they were listening to our suggestions already. Hadn't had a problem for my first few songs then BOOM. Another one rolls around. Turning off Spotify until I hear they've changed it. Over to... *shudders* iTunes.

[TCTReview]

I'm not so lucky--I've heard it at least 4 times today. It's kind of a bizarre ad. Sounds just like a local car dealer or furniture outlet ad where a couple discusses how wonderful the featured product is in fake super-enthusiastic voices, except that the subject matter is Not Suitable For Work (NSFW).

Featuring NSFW content with no option to filter it is foolish on Spotify's part considering that lots of people listen to music at work and advertisers want to reach employed people with disposable income. If those people stop listening while at work due to NSFW ad content, Spotify is harming itself.

The large number of self-promotions Spotify runs during ad breaks leads me to suspect that they're having a hard time selling ad spots--why would they run so many Spotify ads instead of external ads that would earn them money? This seems to motivate Spotify ad sales to accept and run any ad regardless of content. This could backfire by reducing the overall size of the audience and driving away other advertisers.

[thefallout24]

You are full of crap. It would be one thing if people were complaining about there being too many ads, but they are complaining that it is playing sexually suggestive ads that they aren't comfortable listening to and/or they aren't comfortable with their kids or coworkers hearing. It doesn't say you have to be 18 or older to listen to the service, just to have an account. Spotify users have a completely legitimate complaint in this despite it being a free service. In the end, Spotify is just hurting themselves by alienating otherwise happy "customers" with ads that are offensive to large number of people.

[Devens]

I thought I was the only one with a problem with these condom adds. My family listens to a lot of Christian and Childrens music..So the fact that we hear a condom add every so often is very offensive. I have a 5 and 3 year old so I can no longer listen to Spotify when they are up (which is basically all the time).

Has anybody from Sotify responded to this thread? Do they care?

[lizziemarie88]

I too would appreciate it if the condom ads could be removed, moved to a different time or even if they only showed up once a day. I've been listening for a few hours and had 3-5 trojan commercials... even while listening to Disney kid songs! It's a little much. 😛

Thanks!

[Dranu]

They did this before and now have seem to brought it back even with the prior complaints.  Clearly they could care less.  Enough of Spotify for me.

[tkane32512]

Is there a way where we can see if Spotify addresses these issues? I very much dislike listening to a family friendly music provider just to hear these commericals come on. It's not exactly what I want to listen to every 5-10 minutes.

[fvghalliwell]

There are some logical flaws here:

1. first, you suggest that being over 18 automatically makes one want to hear the ad. Right. Because I want to hear condom ads. *eyeroll* 
2. additionally, just because one has to be over 18 or 13 to make an account doesn't mean that one has to be over that age to listen to someone else's account (perhaps a parent's). 
3. also, there are some groups out there (i.e. religious groups) who don't want those ads played with their music. Can you blame them? How about businesses that leave Spotify on during the day? I certainly wouldn't want that ad playing in my shop. 
4. Most importantly, not one person has complained about the use of ads. Everyone acknowledges that ads are a necessary part of the Spotify free experience, and no one objects to that. What do we object to? This Trojan ad. 

[BDEye]

I work with a grant program assisting low income HIV Positive pople.  Kids need the information to protect themselves and others.  There is so much misinformation and condomd given a bad rap by so many.  I say let the ads flow and grow till there is no shame with their use.

[Jbeckha2]

I'm so glad to see that others have voiced their opinions regarding the latest Trojan ads. We have had similar experience with our young son hearing the ads. We hope that Spotify will remove them like they have in the past. Spotify, please hear us! 

[fvghalliwell]

I appreciate the need for condom education. This ad isn't the least bit educational. It's just dirty. 

[robbysibrahim]

Not only do I not appreciate the subject matter but this is the ONLY non-Spotify ad I have heard for the last 3 days! Make it stop please! 

[newton21989]

I echo what others before me have said, in list form.

• I have the option to flip through channels on the radio when an ad i find objectionable starts playing. In addition, broadcast media has the FCC to contend with in terms of what can and cannot be aired at a given time of day.
• It would be somewhat more acceptable if this ad wasn't played every other commercial break. (The other half of commercial breaks are for the Bacardi ads. Since I drink, that one is at least relevant, but still too frequent.)
• Why do I get this ad while listening to Christian music? While I'm here, I also would not care to buy Niki Minaj's or similar latest albums. (Many Christains also forgo alcohol consumption, see point 2.)
• As a single, abstenint, male, tech enthusiast, the Trojan, and Durex for that matter, ads are completely irrelevant. Computer, mobile device, and Ramen ads, however, are not.
• An NSFW filter would be nice for at work or with family, although it seems a high-profile service like Spotify would attract more reputable sponsors. Where are Coca-Cola, Walmart, Ford, Apple, etc.? Why must you resort to accepting ad money from companies advertising condoms and booze?

Anyway, as with last time, I am unlinking Spotify from my social networking accounts and discontinuing its use until I have recieved the all-clear. I am also telling those thinking about trying Spotify to go elsewhere and those already on Spotify to join me.

TL:DR- List of specific complaints. Quitting Spotify for now and refering others elsewhere.

[visage]

It is clear that the folks at Spotify dont care one bit about free listeners and their sensibilities or complaints. This 25-page thread filled with unhappy users complaining about the subject matter of the commercials (http://community.spotify.com/t5/Music-Chat/Upset/td-p/111290/page/25) was met with a moderator simply redirecting people to a new thread, and was closed down.

"As this specific ad stopped a while ago, I'm going to close this thread.  If you'd like to leave feedback on the current Trojan advert, just head here. If you'd like to leave feedback about any other ad, you're more than welcome to open up a new thread."

#runaround

I find the Trojan ads enough of a reason to stop using the service myself. Same as most other people, playing the music in a common area with family present is (was) a common use for the service, and these types of ads (not just this specific ad, mr runaround) make the service unusable in this capacity. And no, I am not interested in paying $60-$120 per year to get ad-free.

Suggestions:

Create ad profiles where people can choose their ad genres (and stick to it) allowing people to opt out of horror, sexual, and other specific categories of ads

Rely solely on visual ads rather than audio ads

Allow people to "thumbs down" specific ads (and dont play them ever again on their account)

[Peter__]

If you would like to see ad filters introduced, then I would suggest you all add your kudos and comments to this topic.

Also, since the free version needs to generate income, I can't see the audio adverts being removed since they are probably the main source of advertising income (as most people when playing probably aren't even looking at the Spotify window).

Peter

[kirkmanton]

What an amazing business plan. I you don't want to be embarrassed by our condom adds playing for all your children and guests to hear the PAY.....! "Pay for be embarrassed, it's up to you". Well, it is a free country and free market so I will asking all my friends if they know of an alternative to Spotify. Once I find it I will be shouting from the roof tops. I will give them all the free advertising I can. 

Just now as I was writing this had to mute the "Trojan Man" for the second time. Wow, Spotify, you are amazing - amazingly offensive and your "Pay, Put up with it, or Leave" answer is amazing!

Look for an alternative,

Kirk 

[kirkmanton]

Dump these kinds of adds, give us the option to select the type of adds we are willing to tolirate or I am out of here.....

[Dianaberry]

I would like to delete my spotify account but I can't figure out how. This is the last time I want the kids to hear a condom commercial when they are listening to their Disney music. Not appropriate spotify...not appropriate. 

[Tap]

I would just like to point out that

A) Spotify is letting you use the service at no charge, thus is ad supported, and have to play ads by whatever  company is paying them to run the ads.

B) You could actually pay for service to get ad free and support the company. Otherwise just go elsewhere, there are plenty of online streaming services available.

Complaining that a service you don't pay for is doing what it can to keep running is silly.

[eragan]

I don't apreciate condom ads playing when I'm listening to music with my daughter!  Please be more family-apropriate for I will stop using spotify.