Spotify has recently announced another round of price hikes for its premium plans in the United States. This move marks the second consecutive year of increases, impacting millions of subscribers across various plans.
Spotify Premium Users in the US Impacted by Latest Price Hike
Starting next month, Spotify users in the US will see higher bills for their premium subscriptions. The new pricing structure is as follows:
Individual Plan: The cost will rise from $10.99 to $11.99 per month.
Duo Plan: The price will increase from $14.99 to $16.99 per month.
Family Plan: Subscribers will now pay $19.99, up from $16.99 per month.
These adjustments represent notable year-over-year hikes. Specifically, the Duo plan has seen a 30% increase, the Family plan a 25% increase, and the Individual plan a 20% increase over the past year.
The price hikes will affect millions of US subscribers who rely on Spotify for music, podcasts, and other audio content.
Spotify announced in a blog post that they occasionally update their prices to continue investing in and innovating their product features, aiming to provide users with the best experience.
They mentioned that subscribers in the US would receive an email over the next month explaining the changes to their subscription.
(Photo : MARTIN BUREAU/AFP via Getty Images) This illustration picture taken on July 24, 2019 in Paris shows the logo of the Swedish music streaming application Spotify on the screen of a tablet. Spotify is now increasing premium plan prices in the US for the second consecutive year, aiming to enhance product features and improve financial margins.
Why Is Spotify Increasing Prices Again?
Spotify has cited several reasons for these price increases. In an email to subscribers, the company explained, "We're increasing the price of Premium Individual so that we can continue to invest in and innovate on our product offerings and features."
This indicates that the additional revenue will be directed towards enhancing the platform and developing new features.
Additionally, Spotify has been focusing on improving its margins by reducing marketing expenditures and conducting layoffs. These cost-saving measures, combined with the price hikes, are part of a broader strategy to boost profitability.
In December 2023, Spotify axed around 17 percent of its global workforce.
The company reported a quarterly gross profit exceeding 1 billion euros ($1.08 billion) for the first time in April, attributed to controlled marketing spending.
Reuters tells us that the move appears to have been positively received by investors, as Spotify's shares rose by approximately 4% in premarket trading following the announcement.
What's Next?
While these price hikes are currently limited to the US, Spotify has also announced increases for international subscribers, indicating a global trend in its pricing strategy.
The company is also reportedly planning to introduce a new "Supremium" tier, which could include features like lossless streaming and Dolby Atmos support, further justifying the higher costs.
