Pay for Inclusion on Popular Spotify Playlists “Is Definitely Happening”

posted by Derrick Rossignol on May 22, 2016 in News

 

Warner Music Group announced last week that streaming has become its primary revenue source, making them the first major record label to do so. In a digital music world where it’s easier than ever for artists to release music on their own, CEO Stephen Cooper said that playlists on streaming services are a major reason why labels are still relevant: “In the past it was about radio play, weekly charts and sales — now it’s a minute-by-minute battle for people’s time and attention. So playlisting is one of the big reasons why artists need record labels today.”

 

However, according to a piece written by Glenn Peoples a few months ago for Billboard, a big part of “playlisting” is a modern form of an unethical promotional practice from the days of radio: payola, or paying people with influence to promote a song.

 

“Spots on many of the largest Spotify playlists are already controlled by the three major music companies, which each own a branded property that curates playlists of many styles and genres,” Peoples wrote. “Pay for play ‘is definitely ­happening,’ claims a major label marketing executive, one of several who say that popular playlists can and have been bought.”

 

Peoples also claims he was told by a source that inclusion for a song on a playlist with “tens of thousands of fans” can cost $2,000, while a spot on “more well-followed playlists” can be in the neighborhood of $10,000.

 

In August 2015, Spotify updated their terms and conditions to “explicitly prohibit” users from accepting compensation for including a song on a playlist, and said, “We are absolutely against any kind of ‘pay to playlist,’ or sale of playlists. It’s bad for artists and it’s bad for fans.”

 

spotify are currently in the process of dismantling the notification systems in their apps, that tell you when artists you follow have dropped new tunes or albums, to force users onto these highly managed record industry playlists pinned on the front page :manson: :manson: :manson:

It was only a matter of time before the labels adapted their manipulating ways to take advantage of streaming exposure. Still, very discouraging news if this is already running rampant on Spotify, but other than the quickness I'm not surprised at all.

Although I love Spotify, I would happily join a movement to cancel our subscriptions until this stops. Dropping notifications has already really pissed me off, even if I have discovered Swarm.fm as an alternative. It's just a huge waste of time as I'm never going to just click on a shitty list created based on how much a label paid...sadly many, many will.

 

As usual, the majors have found a way to steer the music business towards business rather than music.

I never listen to any of spotify's playlists, I listen to random songs, albums or playlists I created, maybe others should do that instead of listening to that dull Drake song all the time

I use Apple instead now (even moreso now that they've done a student discount) but what I know of Spotify, they should change up their playlists more often and encourage people to listen to new stuff, because the spotify chart is so stagnant as the playlists largely show people the same stuff.

I use Apple instead now (even moreso now that they've done a student discount) but what I know of Spotify, they should change up their playlists more often and encourage people to listen to new stuff, because the spotify chart is so stagnant as the playlists largely show people the same stuff.

 

 

Yes Apple seems to be more fresh when it comes to the charts, songs climb their charts quicker then do on Spotify

I'd love to say I'm surprised, but...

I use Apple instead now (even moreso now that they've done a student discount) but what I know of Spotify, they should change up their playlists more often and encourage people to listen to new stuff, because the spotify chart is so stagnant as the playlists largely show people the same stuff.

Oh my god, so glad you've made me aware of this! Life saver <3

I never listen to any of spotify's playlists, I listen to random songs, albums or playlists I created, maybe others should do that instead of listening to that dull Drake song all the time

 

Same here when i use it which is very rare.

I often wonder if it would actually be any better if people made their own playlists. As stagnant as they may be, a lot of the big playlists do change up at least a little on a weekly basis. I'm reminded of the last.fm charts of old where songs like "Crystalised" and "Such Great Heights" spent well over a year in and around the top 10, and "Smells Like Teen Spirit" & "Mr. Brightside" virtually never went lower than #50.

Playlists mean nothing to me - on the rare occasions I use Spotify, I listen to whatever I like.

The notifications allowed you to keep your own personal playlist up to date (and that's what I do, using various different sources to keep me up to date with what is out and coming out - Buzzjack one of them)

 

I couldn't give a shit about how Spotify playlists affect the chart, but they shouldn't dismantle a key feature in order to please major labels.