Spotify Raises U.S. Premium Prices Amid AI Concerns
Spotify raised U.S. Premium subscription prices, affecting individual, Duo and Family plans, citing service value; move coincides with debates over AI-generated music on the platform.
Overview
Spotify announced price increases for Premium subscriptions in the U.S., Estonia and Latvia, notifying existing paid users by email; new subscribers see changes immediately, current customers in February.
Individual Premium rises by about $1 to roughly $13 per month; Premium Duo increases from $17 to $19, and Family from $20 to $22 per month.
Spotify said occasional pricing updates reflect platform value and support artists; analysts previously predicted similar U.S. hikes could raise revenue by about $500 million.
The increases coincide with mounting criticism over AI-generated music on Spotify and intensifying competition from Apple Music and other services challenging Spotify's market position.
Spotify has more than 281 million paid users globally, roughly 25% in North America; this is the third U.S. price increase in three years.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present the price increase straightforwardly, relying on factual details (new price, timing), company statements and analyst estimates without loaded language. Coverage balances context—prior hikes, subscriber counts, and other affected markets—and avoids editorializing or selectively emphasizing criticism, giving readers a neutral, information-focused account.
Sources (3)
FAQ
Individual Premium rises to about $13 per month (up $1), Premium Duo to $19 (from $17), and Family to $22 (from $20).
New subscribers see changes immediately; existing paid users are notified by email and changes apply in February.
Spotify states that occasional pricing updates reflect the platform's value and support for artists.
Users report AI 'slop' flooding recommendations like Discover Weekly; Spotify denies promoting it but faces criticism for inadequate filtering compared to Bandcamp's outright ban.
Spotify strengthened policies in September 2025 with impersonation rules, spam filtering, and AI disclosures in credits via industry standards.
History
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