Why do i have ads on my podcasts even with premium?

[ToastMaster791]

This has only been a recent issue for me (the last 2 months maybe), but it's been a constant thing with every podcast I listen to.

Each time I go to listen to a podcast, it opens up immediately with a 1-2 minute ad, then periodically sometimes in the middle of sentences another 1-2 minute ad starts playing.

If I pay every month for "no ads" how come I'm getting them now? I've been re-listening to a podcast I love which had no ads whatsoever even before I had premium, and now all of the sudden ads are everywhere in these episodes.

So what's happening? Why do I pay monthly for something that doesn't even give me what I pay for? I'm thinking of switching apps because this is just frustrating.

[RockoInc]

Yes, @Spotify should add this feature. I'm in Colombia with a Premium plan, and I listen to English podcasts. A few minutes after I start listening, a local ad in Spanish plays. The creators couldn't put these local ads in other languages.

[RockoInc]

In this way, you'll create a new sources of revenue with another plan to avoid ads on  podcasts?

[bcwalnja]

Also, the ads are breaking playback. The desktop player freezes at the end of every ad for me.

[TheFab12345]

You're allowing the podcast to double dip in their ad revenue by allowing them to run their own ads in their podcast. The whole point of paying for premium is to enjoy ad free.  If you're going to allow them to run their own ads and make money from it then require them to provide two versions of the podcast.  One with ads for non premium members and one with no ads for premium members. It's extremely frustrating paying for ad free and listening to a podcast that starts with NO LIE 3-4 minutes of their own ads. 

[tmetcalf44]

Very sad Spotify is not working on this irritating issue for Premium subscribers: the entire point of paying for a service is access to more features and an ad-free experience.
At least we have this new feature: Spotify is introducing its own in-app messaging https://newsroom.spotify.com/2025-08-26/introducing-messages-a-new-way-to-share-what-you-love-on-spo... 
If you can't remove ads that drop during a podcast, please stop the ads you generate BEFORE the pod begins.

[hectorffuentes]

Plan

Premium

Country

Spain

Device

Iphone 16 Pro Max

Operating System

iOS 18.6.2

My Question or Issue

Hello,

Some time ago, I noticed something that I believe is unfair. When I listen to podcasts on Spotify—whether news, sports, or others (especially those featured in “Daily Drive”)—ads are played.

I have been a Premium user for years, and I don’t understand how it’s possible that, despite paying for a subscription, I still have to listen to ads.

At first, I thought these ads were already part of the podcast recording itself, but while traveling I realized that’s not the case: it’s Spotify that leaves that space open to insert its own ads. So, my question is: what’s the point of paying for Premium if I’m still forced to listen to advertising? How ethical is this?

I already complained once, and the response I received was simply that “this is known” and that I could share the problem here. Honestly, that discouraged me.

On top of that, this week I received an email informing me that my monthly fee will increase from €17.99 to €20.99. So, I’m paying more and still being subjected to ads.

Honestly, I’m now seriously considering other music streaming alternatives.

Best regards.

[MateusM]

Hey there @hectorffuentes!

Thanks for reaching out ✨

Spotify doesn’t play ads that interrupt the music listening experience; however, some podcasts may include advertising, host-read endorsements, or sponsorship messages. There’s more info about this here.

Hope this helps! Let me know if you have questions.
/Mateus

[ToadTheTree]

I agree, and it might not be the same for everyone but I get Spotify ads, while listening to podcasts, specifically ads from Spotify, not just the ones that are part of the podcasts, I don't understand why im paying for premium if I still have to listen to the same garbage ads for stuff I don't care about, seems like a bit of a scam

[Ken56]

Utterly unacceptable to promise ads free to premium users then serve ads. Sh*t I do without Shopify and access the channels via YouTube. Meanwhile, I have 11 days til subs expire... what a waste of money

[ppetrina]

È normale che durante un podcast ci sia pubblicità (anche in inglese)?

[kben]

While we're at it, what is up with some of my podcasts showing this: "Bonus episode for subscribers." I AM a subscriber. It seems insane to ask for yet more money. I'm speaking specifically about the Fresh Air podcast and this episode: Jane Fonda Is Not Backing Down, released 9/2/25. I mean at this point, this is just insulting and not the only podcast where I've been asked to pay even more. I'm paying for premium at $11.99/mo + tax and have no intention of ever paying more for any podcast.

[BakedPotatoes]

I haven't been getting ads on the phone app but I'm listening to a podcast on my pc and there's an ad for another podcast playing right now.... wth is this**bleep**? Is this a pc only punishment for not using the app? It's not a promo from the podcast I'm listening to so this is still a problem and it isn't "solved" lol.

[hectorffuentes]

Hi, I’m writing again because I see many people connected to Spotify saying that the ads come with the podcast itself, but that’s not true. If a podcast has a certain length, within that time there are 1–2 minute slots at the beginning and during the podcast. But those ads are not pre-recorded with the podcast, like I first thought. Spotify leaves those slots free so they can add ads later.

I realized this one day while driving near the border of another country. The network changed and suddenly the ad played in another language, while the podcast stayed in my own language. That’s when I understood it wasn’t pre-recorded it was Spotify inserting the ad.

It’s really disappointing. Now they’re raising the price, and at the same time they keep making money from these ads.

[Rafinhagarighan]

Acredito que quando um usuário cria uma conta Premium, é justamente para acessar recursos e evitar anuncios que as contas gratuitas não tem. Dessa forma, entendo que para as contas que são Premiuns, os anúncios deveriam ser removidos não só nos intervalos das músicas, mas também serem removidos os anuncios que aparecem durante os episódios dos Podcasts.

Eu como usuário Premium, escuto muitos Podcasts de meditação, ai muitas vezes você está concentrado fazendo a meditação e do nada surge o anuncio, estragando totalmente a experiência e o momento de concentração. E eu pago uma assinatura, justamente para ficar livre dos anuncios. E agora tem aparecido dois anuncios seguidos durante os episódios.

Se querem colocar anuncios no Podcast, então que coloquem entre os intervalos dos episódios e não durante o episódio e de forma que o usuário que for Premium possa pular o anuncio.

Se isso não for corrigido, infelizmente terei que cancelar minha assinatura e procurar outra plataforma que me forneça uma experiência melhor!

[SirPeePooBlackDingus]

nah PHukk that if i pay money i shoudlnt be peddle pushed